The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7,135,263 (2024)
• Assets: $88 million+ (across 320+ funds)
• Success Rate: ~20% (based on Fall 2023 data: 12 awards from 60+ applications)
• Decision Time: Review in fall, awards distributed by end of year
• Grant Range: $500 - $45,000+
• Geographic Focus: Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Virginia

Contact Details

Address: 317 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1068, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Phone: (540) 432-3863
Email: ann@tcfhr.org (Ann Siciliano, Vice President)
Website: www.tcfhr.org

Overview

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (TCFHR) was founded in 1998 as a public charity to enable people who love their community to easily give back. With assets exceeding $88 million across 320+ funds, the foundation distributed over $7.1 million in grants and scholarships in 2024, making it a significant funder in the region. Their mission—"We make it easy to give back to the community we love"—reflects their role as a trusted charitable partner connecting donors with local needs. The foundation supports nonprofit work across education, arts and culture, health and human services, and animal welfare throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. They manage various fund types including community endowments, donor-advised funds, and restricted grant funds, each with specific priorities established by donors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants (July 1 - September 1 application window):

• Funded through seven endowed funds with specific focus areas
• Recent cycle: $182,411 awarded to 17 organizations (2025-26)
• Previous cycle: $159,518 to 12 organizations (2023-24)
• Application method: Online portal, annual fixed deadline

Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts: $60,000+ annually

• Encourages arts nonprofits to significantly grow the arts in Harrisonburg/Rockingham County
• Recent award: Arts Council of the Valley received $45,239 for Arts for All program

Alvin J. Baird Jr. Program Endowment Fund: $44,000+ annually

• Focus: Healthcare initiatives
• Recent awards: Harrisonburg Community Health Center ($16,100 for infant bilirubin monitoring), F.R.E.E. of Harrisonburg ($25,000 for mobility needs)

Hildred Neff Memorial Fund: $22,000+ annually

• Focus: Animal welfare
• Recent awards: Harrisonburg-Rockingham SPCA ($11,695 for Community Cat Program), Wildlife Center of Virginia ($11,695 for wildlife treatment)

Janet Sohn Endowed Fund:

• Focus: Youth mentoring and community services
• Recent award: Big Brothers Big Sisters ($13,220 for mentorship program)

Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund: $4,700+ annually

• Focus: Arts organizations

Valley Arts & Culture Fund: $1,400+ annually

Harrisonburg/Rockingham Food Pantry Endowment: $500+ annually

Little Swiss Fund: $589,197 annually (separate competitive process)

• Serves Highland County nonprofits specifically
• Originated from $10 million anonymous gift in 2018

Scholarship Programs: $200,000+ annually

• For high school, community college, and university students

Priority Areas

• Mental health services and counseling
• Food security and food pantries
• Arts and culture programming
• Animal welfare and veterinary care
• Healthcare access and equipment
• Youth development and mentoring
• Historic preservation
• Environmental initiatives
• Recreation programs
• Faith-based organizations (for non-religious programs)

What They Don't Fund

• Schools (not eligible to apply)
• Churches (not eligible to apply, though faith-based organizations may be eligible for non-religious programming)
• Organizations outside Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

• Revlan Hill - Executive Director
• Ann Siciliano - Vice President / Director, Program Services

Board of Directors (2024-2025)

Officers:

• Donna Harper, Chair (James Madison University)
• Kevin Flint, Vice Chairman (Hess Financial)
• Lindsay Brubaker, Secretary (BotkinRose PLC)
• Ellen Brodersen, Treasurer (Retired)

Directors:

• Ande Banks (The City of Harrisonburg, Virginia)
• Trish Davidson (Rockingham County, Virginia)
• Leslie Dutt (Merck & Co.)
• Cary Hevener (TSSI)
• Kristian Horneber (James Madison University Foundation)
• Gannon Irons (Edward Jones)
• Charles Martorana (Blue Ridge Bank)
• Mike Mehling (James Madison University)
• Cynthia Prieto (Retired)
• Alan Shelton (Retired)
• Hui He Sono (James Madison University)
• Matthew Sunderlin (Clark & Bradshaw)

Recent Board Additions (2024):

• Beverly McGowan
• Matthew W. Light
• Annette Paxton
• Casey Armstrong
• Becca Miller
• Sarah Von Schuch

The board comprises community leaders including well-respected lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors chosen for their knowledge of the community's charitable, civic, and educational needs. Staff includes a Certified Public Accountant to ensure financial stewardship.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through TCFHR's online portal, which opens annually on July 1 and closes September 1.

Application Process:

1. Visit www.tcfhr.org when the application window opens
2. Complete the eligibility quiz to determine which funds your organization qualifies for
3. Organizations meeting criteria for restricted Community Grants will be sorted to relevant applications
4. All applicants are also considered for inclusion in the Giving Back Guide (a directory for donors)
5. Submit application by September 1 deadline

Eligibility Requirements:

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Physically located in Harrisonburg or Rockingham County
• Serving Harrisonburg or Rockingham County residents
• Not a school or church

Decision Timeline

• Application Window: July 1 - September 1
• Review Process: Grant review committee evaluation in fall
• Notification: Decisions made in fall
• Distribution: All grant awards distributed by end of calendar year

Success Rates

Based on Fall 2023 cycle data:

• Applications received: 60+ organizations
• Awards made: 12 organizations
• Approximate success rate: ~20%
• Total awarded: $159,518

The 2024 grant cycle was more competitive:

• Awards made: 160 total awards across all programs
• Total distributed: $7,135,263 (includes scholarships and all fund types)

Note: Success rates vary by specific fund and year. Organizations may be awarded grants from multiple funds in a single cycle.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Contact Ann Siciliano at ann@tcfhr.org or (540) 432-3863 for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrated Community Impact

The foundation highlights organizations that show measurable results. Recent grant recipients reported specific impacts:

• Adagio House: Providing free and reduced-fee psychotherapy sessions through their Compassion Fund
• Family Life Resource Center: Offering sliding-scale mental health services
• Arts Council of the Valley: Delivering Arts for All programming to expand arts access

Alignment with Fund Priorities

Each of the seven endowed funds has specific focus areas. Successful applicants clearly demonstrate how their work aligns with the particular fund's mission. For example:

• Animal welfare projects align with the Hildred Neff Memorial Fund
• Healthcare initiatives fit the Alvin J. Baird Jr. Fund
• Arts programming matches the Earlynn J. Miller Fund or Mary Spitzer Etter Fund

Geographic Commitment

All funded organizations must be physically located in and serve Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. The foundation emphasizes local impact and community connection.

Financial Stewardship

With approximately 40% of the foundation's funds being endowed (representing 60% of pooled investment dollars), the foundation values organizations that demonstrate responsible financial management and sustainable operations.

Core Values Alignment

The foundation operates with four core values that influence funding decisions:

• Exceptional Service: Organizations that nurture long-term relationships
• Trustworthiness: Accountability and responsible use of funds
• Leadership: Collaboration to build a better community
• Passion: Inspiration for charitable giving and community involvement

Specific Project Needs

Successful applications often request funding for specific equipment, programs, or services rather than general operating support. Examples:

• Harrisonburg Community Health Center received $16,100 for specific infant bilirubin monitoring equipment
• F.R.E.E. of Harrisonburg received $25,000 for mobility equipment for low-income residents
• Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley received $4,874 for a specific Barefoot Puppet Theater performance

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply during the annual window: Mark July 1 - September 1 on your calendar; this is the only opportunity each year for community grants
• Match to the right fund: Research which of the seven endowed funds best aligns with your mission before applying—the eligibility quiz will help sort you, but understanding fund priorities strengthens your application
• Emphasize local impact: Being physically located in and serving Harrisonburg/Rockingham County is non-negotiable; emphasize your community roots and local connections
• Be specific about funding needs: Recent successful grants funded specific equipment, programs, or services with clear price tags ($500-$45,000+ range)
• Competition is real: With approximately 20% success rate based on available data, ensure your application clearly demonstrates measurable impact and alignment with fund priorities
• Think beyond the annual cycle: While community grants have a fixed deadline, explore whether establishing a donor-advised fund or other relationship with TCFHR might benefit your organization long-term
• Contact Ann Siciliano early: For questions about eligibility or fit, reach out to ann@tcfhr.org or call (540) 432-3863 before investing time in an application

References

• The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County official website: www.tcfhr.org (Accessed January 2026)
• "Making A Difference: Organizations Report Impact of 2023-24 Community Foundation Grants" - TCFHR news article, 2024
• "2024 Nonprofit Grant Applications now Available!" - TCFHR announcement, July 2024
• "The Community Foundation Opens 2024 Nonprofit Grant Applications" - Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce news release, July 1, 2024
• "Community Foundation Grants fuel local services across Harrisonburg and Rockingham County" - Rocktown Now, 2025
• "Introducing new board members Matthew W. Light, Beverly McGowan, and Annette Paxton" - TCFHR news article, November 2024
• TCFHR Board of Directors page: www.tcfhr.org/about/board-of-directors/ (Accessed January 2026)
• TCFHR Staff page: www.tcfhr.org/about/staff/ (Accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile for The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County (EIN 54-1920746)
• Cause IQ Profile for Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: The Community Foundation Of Harrisonburg And Rockingham County (EIN 541920746)
• Foundation Directory Online (Candid): The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg & Rockingham County