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The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region

Annual Giving
$1.7M
Decision Time
6mo

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,705,587 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 6 months (June application to December decision)
  • Grant Range: Varies by project
  • Total Assets: $63+ million
  • Geographic Focus: City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Halifax County (VA), and Caswell County (NC)
  • Recent Cycle: $946,433 awarded to 64 organizations (2024-25 cycle)

Contact Details

Address: 541 Loyal Street, Danville, Virginia 24541

Phone: (434) 793-0884

Fax: (434) 793-6489

General Email: info@cfdrr.org

Website: www.cfdrr.org

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Key Staff Contacts:

Overview

Established in September 1996, The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is an independent, public charity that manages over 180 charitable grant and scholarship funds with assets exceeding $63 million. Originally named the DPC Community Foundation, it adopted its current name in 2004. The Foundation serves the City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Halifax County (Virginia), and Caswell County (North Carolina). In 2023, the Foundation distributed $1,705,587 in grants to 78 organizations. The organization earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator. Over its 25-year history through 2021, the Foundation has awarded $24 million in grants and $2.7 million in scholarships to 1,371 students, receiving $51 million in gifts from donors.

Executive Director Dan Hayes, who joined in July 2024, emphasizes the Foundation's role in connecting generosity with community needs. Under previous leadership, the organization's assets grew by $20 million, demonstrating strong community support and effective stewardship.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Competitive Grant Cycle: The Foundation's primary grant program operates on an annual cycle, funding projects that occur during the January-December calendar year. Recent cycles have distributed between $946,433 and $1,004,400 annually to 64-67 nonprofit organizations.

Application Method: Online portal (cfdrrgrants.academicworks.com) with applications opening June 1 and closing end of July.

Priority Areas

The Foundation awards grants across seven primary categories:

  • Animal Services: Supporting animal welfare organizations
  • Arts & Culture: Including organizations like Smokestack Theatre Company and Danville Science Center
  • Community Development: Economic development and community improvement initiatives
  • Education and Youth: Youth programs, after-school activities, and educational support
  • Emergency Services/Preparedness: Fire departments, rescue services, and first aid crews
  • Health and Wellness: Including cancer patient assistance, mental health services, hospice support, and medical services for uninsured/underinsured residents
  • Human Services: Organizations serving vulnerable populations and basic needs

Special Focus Areas:

  • Youth mental health and suicide awareness and prevention
  • Adult and childhood literacy programs
  • Dan River protection and revitalization
  • Indigent care in Halifax County
  • Senior citizen activities across all three counties

What They Don't Fund

  • Reimbursement of expenses already incurred (expenses must be incurred during the grant period)
  • Late or incomplete applications
  • Specific fundraising events such as dinners, benefits, and other fundraisers
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (unless approved government entities)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Dan Hayes, Executive Director (July 2024 - Present): Hayes brings a vision-focused approach to the Foundation. He states: "We have the opportunity to make the images that we want to see develop over the next few years. When the pictures come true, we're going to get to look at them and see the beautiful image that we imagined." He emphasizes: "I don't believe I can overstate the importance of this opportunity to work with the generous donors and passionate volunteers of our region who drive the success of The Foundation."

Board of Directors (2024-2025)

Officers:

  • Steve Bass, President
  • Vince Kania Jr., Vice President
  • Scott Barnes, Past President
  • Richard Dixon, Secretary
  • Sheila Williamson-Branch, Treasurer
  • Kerri Burchett, At Large

Board Members: Angeles Atkinson, Daniel Angell, Helm Dobbins, Howard Graves, Tiffany Hairston, Jennifer Hiltwine, Elizabeth Hurt, Lisa Johnson-Knight, Danielle Montague, Kunal Patel, Cathy Pulliam, Bill Riddle, Sandy Saunders, Nina Beth Thornton, Felicia Veal-Edmunds, Jerry Williams Jr., and Becky Yeatts.

Board President Steve Bass emphasizes the Foundation's mission: "In the past 28 years of serving the Dan River Region the Community Foundation has helped connect generosity with community needs. The grants created and supported by these donors most certainly change lives." He notes: "This grant cycle is a testament to the extraordinary work being done by our community and reminds us of the countless individuals and organizations who wake up every day determined to make a difference."

Staff

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted online through https://cfdrrgrants.academicworks.com/

Application Steps:

  1. Visit cfdrrgrants.academicworks.com
  2. Click the "Sign Up" button in the upper right corner to create your login (requires creating a Blackbaud ID if first-time user)
  3. Complete the General Application
  4. Answer opportunity-specific questions
  5. Upload required documents

Technical Requirements:

  • Accepted file formats: Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe PDF
  • Apple/Mac formats (Pages, Numbers) will NOT work
  • File naming: Use only letters and numbers - no symbols in file titles

Important Note: The Foundation strongly encourages applicants to begin the application process early to ensure applications are complete. Late and incomplete applications are not accepted.

Decision Timeline

  • June 1: Application portal opens
  • End of July: Application deadline
  • Late September: First-cut response to applicants
  • October-November: Site visits and application reviews by Distribution Committee
  • Mid-December: Final funding decisions made by Board
  • Shortly after December: Notification letters sent
  • Mid-January: Grant reception and check distribution

Total process: Approximately 6 months from application opening to funding distribution

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose success rates. In the 2024-25 cycle, 64 organizations received funding, and in the 2025-26 cycle, 67 organizations received funding. The total number of applications received is not published.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is publicly disclosed. Organizations are encouraged to contact Grant and Scholarship Manager Traci Petty at traci@cfdrr.org for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

  1. Community Impact: Steve Bass emphasizes grants that "transform lives and strengthen our community." Applications should clearly demonstrate how projects will make meaningful differences for residents.

  2. Alignment with Regional Needs: The Foundation seeks to "connect generosity with community needs." Applications should show understanding of specific needs in Danville, Pittsylvania, Halifax, or Caswell Counties.

  3. Clear Project Vision: Executive Director Dan Hayes uses the metaphor of "developing the image" - successful applications paint a clear picture of what will be achieved and how the grant will make it possible.

  4. Strong Organizational Standing: Only nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status in good standing or approved government entities are eligible.

  5. Complete and Timely Applications: The Foundation explicitly states that incomplete and late applications are not accepted. Starting early is essential.

  6. Appropriate File Formats: Technical compliance matters - applications using incompatible file formats may be rejected.

Examples of Funded Organizations

Recent grant recipients include:

  • Animal Protection Society of the Northern Piedmont, Inc.
  • Danville Science Center, Inc.
  • Danville Pittsylvania Cancer Association, Inc.
  • Community Improvement Council, Inc. Head Start
  • Reach Out and Read, Inc.
  • Climax Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
  • Danville Life Saving and First Aid Crew, Inc.
  • Milton Preservation and Beautification Society, Inc.
  • Second Chance Outreach Ministries, Inc.
  • Free Clinic of Danville
  • Smokestack Theatre Company
  • St. Luke's United Methodist Church
  • The Caswell County Parish, Inc.
  • Virginia Hunters Who Care, Inc.

Strategic Considerations

  • Projects should serve residents specifically within the Foundation's four-county service area
  • Consider which of the seven funding categories your project best fits
  • Expenses must be incurred during the grant period (January-December) - no reimbursement for prior expenses
  • Organizations seeking guidance should reach out to staff early in the process at (434) 793-0884

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Start Early and Complete Fully: The Foundation explicitly rejects late and incomplete applications. Begin the application process as soon as the portal opens on June 1, giving yourself time to address technical issues and gather all required materials.

  2. Geographic Alignment is Essential: Your project must serve residents of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Halifax County (VA), or Caswell County (NC). Clearly demonstrate how your organization serves this specific region.

  3. Paint a Clear Picture: Following Executive Director Dan Hayes' vision metaphor, articulate a compelling image of what success looks like and how the Foundation's grant will help "develop that image" in the community.

  4. Mind the Technical Details: File formats matter - use Microsoft Word, Excel, or PDF only. Name files using only letters and numbers. These seemingly small details can disqualify otherwise strong applications.

  5. Emphasize Community Transformation: Board President Steve Bass speaks of grants that "transform lives and strengthen our community." Show how your project creates lasting change, not just temporary relief.

  6. Understand the Timeline: With a 6-month cycle from application to funding, plan accordingly. If you need funds by a specific date, work backwards to ensure the Foundation's timeline aligns with your needs.

  7. Leverage Staff Support: Grant and Scholarship Manager Traci Petty is available at traci@cfdrr.org or (434) 793-0884. Don't hesitate to reach out with questions before submitting your application.

References

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