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The Suffolk Foundation recently announced a list of nonprofit organizations within the Suffolk and Western Tidewater areas that were selected for the 2023 Community Impact Grants Program on Wednesday, Dec. 20. 

With a total of $148,750 awarded to 35 selected recipients to support their work in education, social services, arts, health, and the environment, each was chosen for their continued efforts in making a positive difference in the community. The 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization has provided over $7,000,000 in grants and scholarships since 2007.

Recipients for the 2023 Community Impact Grants Program are:

• ACCESS College Foundation: $4,500 in support of the ACCESS Program in Suffolk Public Schools.
• Airfield 4-H Conference Center: $1,000 will go toward the 4-H center’s canoe programs.
• American Red Cross of Coastal Virginia: $4,500 will be provided toward food, shelter, and various emergency needs for households affected by home fires and other disasters.
• Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads: $1,000 supporting Operation Hero After School Program for Suffolk Public Schools military kids in Grades 2 through 5.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia: $3,500 in support of Suffolk’s after school program.
• BridgetheGap Outreach Center: $1,000 to address the basic needs of vulnerable populations in the community who are facing economic hardship.
• The Children’s Center: $1,500 to help provide the Suffolk Center with equipment and toys for a sensory room for children.
• Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters: $8,000 supporting the Child Advocacy Center and Pediatric Mental Hospital.
• Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk: $6,000 in support of housing stabilization and eviction prevention programs.
• Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads: $3,000 supporting dropout prevention services at King’s Fork Middle School.
• Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore: $5,000 supporting the Backpack Program for children in Suffolk and Western Tidewater areas.
• ForKids: $7,500 for utility assistance and other direct assistance for families in crisis in Suffolk and Western Tidewater.
• Genieve Shelter: $2,500 to support repairs and provide furniture at the emergency shelter.
• Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast: $4,500 supporting enrichment programs for K-12 girls in Suffolk and Western Tidewater Community Troops.
• Girls on the Run of Hampton Roads: $1,000 in support of the Healthy Snack Program in Suffolk and Western Tidewater.
• Mariners’ Museum and Park: $1,000 in support of environmental education initiatives for Suffolk students.
• Meals on Wheels of Suffolk and Isle of Wight: $8,000 providing meals to clients in Suffolk and Isle of Wight at no cost for those having had a medical event or enduring food insecurity.
• Nansemond River Preservation Alliance: $8,000 supporting environmental education initiatives and focusing on local 3rd and 7th Graders.
• Riddick’s Folly: $1,500 to help support operations.
• Safe House Project: $2,000 assisting trafficking survivors in and from Suffolk and Western Tidewater.
• Salvation Army of Suffolk: $8,500 assisting individuals and families in need in Suffolk.
• Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia: $4,000 providing meals to unserved and food insecure older adults in Suffolk and Western Tidewater.
• Suffolk Art League: $2,500 supporting arts education and “artistic verses” programs.
• Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts: $8,000 in support of arts programming.
• Suffolk Cheer Fund: $2,500 providing toys for children in need for the holidays.
• Suffolk Education Foundation: $1,500 providing student incentive items for teachers’ use in Suffolk Public Schools.
• Suffolk Parks and Trails Alliance: $5,000 to replace playground equipment at Lake Meade Park.
• Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society: $2,500 for interior repairs at Suffolk Historical Society’s headquarters. 
• Tidewater Friends of Foster Care: $5,000 supporting a tutoring program for Suffolk foster youth.
• The Up Center: $4,000 to provide food, supplies, and other materials for individual counseling and group trauma programs.
• Virginia Legal Aid Society: $12,500 supporting VLAS’ legal services for low-income individuals and families in Suffolk and Western Tidewater.
• Virginia Symphony Orchestra: $1,250 in support of Suffolk music education programming.
• Western Tidewater Free Clinic: $10,000 supporting the clinic’s dental program, providing comprehensive dental care to Suffolk and Western Tidewater residents who cannot afford it.
• Word Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads: $1,500 supporting the expansion of the Great Decisions Series into the City of Suffolk.
• YMCA of South Hampton Roads: $5,000 to help provide Open Door Scholarships for Suffolk youth to participate in Suffolk YMCA Before-and-After School Programs and Summer Camps.

In a statement, Suffolk Foundation Executive Director Lorelei Morrow congratulated the organizations and expressed their gratitude for their contributions to the community.

“We are proud to support these outstanding nonprofits that are working hard to improve our community,” Morrow said. “They are addressing some of the most pressing needs that our residents face, and we are grateful for their dedication and impact.”

For more information, call 757-923-9090 or go to suffolkfoundation.org.