The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation con-tinues to be in good hands thanks to strong leader-

ship, which includes some fresh faces on the board and at headquarters.Caren Eastham may be new to the board of directors, but she’s well-versed on the Community Foundation’s history and mission. Her husband Wayne was one of the founding members 15 years ago, and the couple even launched their own fund through the foundation.

Having witnessed the Commu-nity Foundation’s progress, Caren hopes to see its growth acceler-ate. And as Oak View National Bank’s chief administrative officer, she knows the importance of growth! “We still need to get the word out about our local nonprofits and what we can do for them,” Caren says. “People need to understand that we’re a nonprofit too, and we need money to grow—our growth lets us help others.”

Three years after joining its board of directors, Sharon Luke was nominated to serve as the Community Founda-tion’s chair, a position she took on this past summer. She too has been a conscious admirer of the organization since its inception.A longtime attorney in Rappahannock County, Sharon has served in a variety of volunteer service capacities, but she

was particularly drawn to the Community Foundation’s purpose. Her goal is to increase engagement with non-profits, particularly in Culpeper and Madison Counties, home to many valuable community organizations that could benefit from the Community Foundation’s offerings and expertise.

The newest face is that of Jane Bowling-Wilson, who took on the role of executive director in Au-gust. Hailing from Rappahannock, Jane most recently served as the executive director of Headwaters, a nonprofit foundation focused on fostering educational excellence in the county’s public schools.

Jane believes one of the Commu-nity Foundation’s most intriguing elements is the connec-tions that it fosters. “We connect groups with particular needs to those that can support it,” she says, adding that these connections build on long-term, future needs as well. “The fact that we can make an immediate difference, solve problems, move forward, and build for generations is exciting!”

“The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation is an amazing resource for our counties,” Jane says. “And not just for the nonprofits, but for those who want to make a difference—whether through a donation, scholarship, or grant.”

Of the Community Foundation’s many established funds,

three annual grants stand out for their ongoing generosity to area nonprofits. Collectively, the Meade M. Palmer Memorial Fund, the Richard Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund, and the Patricia and Nicolaas Kortlandt Memorial Fund have distributed more than $627,000 to date. Here’s a sample of this year’s top beneficiaries.

Meade M. Palmer Memorial Fund: Bringing Things into FocusEstablished in 2006, the Meade M. Palmer Memorial Fund honors the nationally-acclaimed landscape architect who called Warrenton home. This broad-based grant funds an enormous range of projects geared toward community well-being in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison and Rappahannock Counties.

Living up to their motto of “We Serve,” the Madison County Lions Club received $3,000 to purchase a PediaVision® Spot Camera for vision screenings, which are mandatory for children in kindergarten as well as 3rd, 7th, and 10th grades.

This state-of-the-art technology screens for a multitude of refractive errors, and because the test takes just five seconds and can be used from up to a meter away from

the person being tested, it is non-invasive and causes no anxiety. Since purchasing the camera in August 2015, the Lions have tested more than 500 children in a fraction of the time it took with previous machinery.

Located in Culpeper County, Brandy Station’s “Graffiti House” was built in 1858. During the Civil War, the Confederates used the building as a field hospital, and the Union Army occupied the county in the winter of 1863-64. Soldiers from both sides used charcoal to sign their names, write inscriptions, and create drawings on walls.

The Brandy Station Foundation purchased this house in 2002. In 2013, exploratory

work revealed the likelihood of Civil War-era graffiti concealed by wallpaper and drywall. The $2,000 grant helped pay for a conservator to remove those layers and clean grime from the original plaster to reveal messages left by soldiers more than 150 years ago.

Richard Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund:Groundbreaking OpportunitiesRichard Lykes may have come to Rappahannock County later in life, but he felt immediately embraced

by the community and dedicated himself to giving back. The Richard Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund was established in 2010, with grants focused on improving the quality of life within the county.

Fauquier Habitat for Humanity was named one of the top 2015 awardees and will receive $12,000 to begin construction on its first affordable single-family home project in Rappahannock County in 20 years. Due to county land restrictions, it has traditionally been difficult to find land tracts on which to build. But thanks to Wells Fargo’s donation of a .8 acre tract on Route 522 in Huntly, Habitat executive director Brenda Drerenberger notes that they expect to break ground in coming months. About $80,000 is needed to build the home; this grant is a great jumpstart, and the Rappahannock community is excited to move the effort forward.

Barbara Shanks, Rappahannock’s first Habitat homeowner, recently paid off her mortgage, joining three other Fauquier Habitat homeowners to achieve the same goal. What a fitting way to start off 2016—the year the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Patricia and Nicolaas Kortlandt Memorial Fund: Strengthening the CommunityIf you’re given something, you have the responsibility to share it. This was the belief of Patricia and Nicolaas Kortlandt, longtime Fauquier County residents. The couple shared a love and passion for their farm, the surrounding countryside, and contributing to the community. They continue to share through the Patricia and Nicolaas Kortlandt Memorial Fund, which was established in 2011.For the second year in a row, Fauquier F.I.S.H. received $10,000 to support their Weekend Power Pack Program, which provides food to help meet the nutritional needs of Fauquier County children identified as at-risk of hunger. The idea was launched by a couple of community members who wanted to ensure these kids—and their families—had food on weekends, and the 2014 pilot program has grown by leaps and bounds.

Because the program is run entirely on volunteer power, grant funds are solely devoted to purchasing food. Each Thursday, about 20 adults and children stuff 120 backpacks, which are then delivered to 16 of the

county’s 20 public schools on Friday. “It’s a great way for people to give back and connect to the

community,” says program organizer Charity Furness.

Not only is it a first-time winner of the Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund, Fauquier Habitat for Humanity benefited as well from the Patricia and Nicolaas Kortlandt Memorial Fund, receiving $10,000 that was used for landscaping efforts—the final touches on their recently-completed Sterling Court duplex project.

Dozens of bushes and trees, including maple, white oak, spruce, red cedar, magnolia, and holly, were planted throughout the property, many of them regaling beautiful fall colors. The grant also allowed two wheelchair-accessible curb ramps to be installed on either side of the street. The Sterling Court homes were dedicated in late October, followed by a celebration on November 1. “Fourteen families have the opportunity to live in decent, affordable housing because of this support,” Habitat executive director Brenda Drerenberger said.

Leading Ladies: Sharon, Caren, and Jane Three Grants, Four Counties, Five Top Winners: Boundless Benefits

The books hadn’t even closed on the 2015 event when we began to think ahead to participation in the third Give Local Piedmont (GLP), which fittingly will be on May 3, 2016. We continue to educate people about this fabulous fundraiser that unites our community even though crowdfunding is still a relatively new concept. Let’s take a moment to reflect and celebrate:

Give Local Piedmont 2014: Our inaugural event raised $675,000 from 3,369 gifts, surpassing our wildest hopes.

Give Local Piedmont 2015: We raised the bar, seeking to bring in $1,000,000 in donations. We came close with $730,000, but just as exciting was the 50% increase in the number of gifts—up to 5,084.

The bottom line for both events: in just a single day, we made a significant difference, the effects of which will last well into the future. How often can an individual or group make such a claim? Participating nonprofits raised money—some of them with impressive totals—and we collectively raised the awareness of these invaluable organizations, therefore strengthening our community.

Because when you take a closer look, it is these very organizations that are the glue binding our community together. There were 137 GLP participants in 2015, and that’s just a fraction of the total number of registered nonprofits based in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, or Rappahannock County. The services they provide are equally boundless—from feeding the hungry to delivering medical services to those without financial means and from providing youth with enhanced educational opportunities to caring for animals—and so much more.

Often the work of these nonprofits overlaps, and when it does, they strive to collaborate versus going about it in their own ways. Why? They’ve learned that when many people band together, no job is impossible.

Mark your calendars now: the next Give Local Piedmont begins at midnight May 3, 2016, and runs for 24 hours. What can you do? Spread the word. Plan to give. By doing so, you’ll make a big difference.

Give Local Piedmont 2016: Make a Difference in a Day

Barbara Shanks (left) is holding the promissory note, stamped “Paid in Full.” It was presented to her by Kim Forsten, president of the Fauquier Habitat board of directors. The presentation was made at the Town Hall in Washington, VA, on November 10.

Screening vision, uncovering history, providing affordable housing, and feeding the hungry—what an incredible array of good deeds made possible by these three funds!

To donate, make checks out to the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation with Meade M. Palmer Memorial Fund, Richard Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund, or Patricia and Nicolaas Kortlandt Community Fund noted in the memo area, and mail to P.O. Box 5, Culpeper, VA 22701. You can also donate online at www.npcf.org.

P.O. Box 5Culpeper, VA 22701RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

build philanthropic capital to enhance and preserve the quality

of life in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison and Rappahannock counties and to strengthen the region’s nonprofit organizations.

We

How Do We Fund Thee? Let’s Count the Ways……83 ways, to be exact. Yes, the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation currently has 83 separate funds that benefit an enormous range of causes throughout Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties. While five community funds support broad-reaching needs, other grants are geared specifically toward literacy (Culpeper County Library Fund), the environment (Finley’s ‘Green Leap Forward’ Fund), education enrichment (Josh’s Class), animals (King Dog Memorial Foundation), sports and agriculture (Gordon Thornhill Excellence in Youth Foundation), and much more. Is there a cause that’s near to your heart? Chances are, we support it.

Sharon Genebach Luke, ChairMichael T. Leake, Vice-ChairM. Andrew Gayheart, SecretaryCarlton M. Yowell, Treasurer

Marshall DeF DoellerJeffrey C. EarlyCaren M. EasthamHilary Scheer Gerhardt

Trice Gravatte, M.D.Eugene TriplettElizabeth M. Yates

Douglas K, Baumgardner, Esq.Christy M. Connolly*Robert Dart, M.D.Linda R. Dietel*G. Wayne Eastham*Georgia E. FischelDavid C. Gerrish, Jr.*Thomas D Gillespie

Susan S. Griffin, DDSRobin C. Gulick, Esq.J. Carl KincheloeRobert deT. Lawrence, IV, Esq.Nina McKeeJohn W. McCarthy, IIIJ. Clifford Miller, IIIMargaret W. (Marty) Moon

Steven W. RodgersMolly Fray SanfordGeorge D. Scheulen, C.P.A.*Merrill P. StrangeSusan B. StrittmatterC. Hunton Tiffany*William WaltonFred G. Wayland*

Summary Statement of Financial Position (As of June 30, 2014 and 2015)

ASSETS FY14 FY15Cash and cash equivalents $362,548 $1,111,645Notes receivable $20,000 ---Pooled investments $8,001,347 $8,239,991Other assets $1,478 $1,180

Total Assets $8,385,373 $9,352,816

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

Current Liabilities $2,993 $698,800Foundation net assets $8,382,380 $9,352,267

Total Liabilities & Net Assets $8,385,373 $9,352,816

Summary Statement of Activities

REVENUEDonated Revenue $2,700,258 $1,733,183Net investment returns $966,176 $238,167TOTAL REVENUE $3,666,434 $1,971,350

EXPENSESGrants awarded $1,103,633 $1,344,680Operating expenses $229,279 $282,224Investment management fees $53,522 $72,810

TOTAL GRANTS & EXPENSES $1,386,434 $1,699,714Change in Net Assets $2,280,000 $271,636Net Assets, Beginning of Year $6,102,380 $8,382,380

NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR $8,382,380 $8,654,016

Executive Director: Jane Bowling-Wilson Donor Services Administrator: Andrea Flynn

P.O. Box 5, Culpeper, VA 22701 ● (540) 349-0631 ● info@npcf.org ● www.npcf.org

NON PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDCULPEPER, VA PERMIT No 632

Board of Directors

Past Directors

Winter 2015