The Community Foundation was established to serve Charlottesville and nearby counties with the aim of spurring positive change. It focuses on engaging with local communities, nonprofits, and various organizations to enhance philanthropy and elevate the quality of life in the region. The foundation prioritizes strong community relationships, collaborative problem-solving, and inclusive engagement. It endeavors to ensure equitable access to its resources and prioritizes the needs of those most affected by societal problems.
The Solidarity Grant program is designed to support the building of racial equity movements within a specified region, focusing on long-term systemic change and shifting power to achieve transformative results. Unlike temporary relief efforts, this program aims to reimagine systems and foster significant societal shifts towards justice and equity, prioritizing the leadership and insights of Black and ALAANA (African, Latine, Asian, Arab, and Native American) individuals. The grant supports initiatives that demonstrate a clear alignment with these goals, show potential for meaningful impact, possess the necessary capacity for execution, involve power building/sharing with affected communities, and present a sensible budget. The program encourages applications for flexible funding amounts and durations, based on availability and the scope of the proposal, with an option for proposals to be shared with donor partners.