News and Events
What's happening at the foundation
Updates from the Foundation
SEVACF welcomes new board member, Josh Gerloff.
Josh brings fresh perspectives to our team. As an architect, we are excited to see his creativity in action. People say Josh enjoys the early planning and development stages of projects, helping clients to identify their priorities and visions and then establishing the game plans to execute them. He is quoted as saying, “I love being an architect, working with clients to tackle complex situations through healthy process, partnership, and creativity.” His knowledge of the area and his connections will be a great asset to our Foundation. We appreciate his commitment as we move forward with our mission to connect people who care with causes large and small to benefit the communities we serve.
The upcoming spring grant cycle deadline is around the corner…
What you need to know. The deadline is January 31st. Our application has received an update. It’s advisable to use the latest online application for your submissions. Most notably, in the recent board meeting, members voted to define our service area. We are pleased to inform you that we now exclusively serve non-profit organizations in Chesapeake and Portsmouth, Virginia.
Success! The 2025 Annual Board Meeting had many inspired.
There was good food, engaging discussions, and inspiring speeches from the invited non-profit organizations, who shared their valuable insights on community development.
Cary, Executive Director, shared their organization’s heartfelt efforts to provide direct financial support to those in need. Joe, Founder & Chief Dream Officer, passionately explained their Adopt-A-Block program, a flagship community outreach initiative. Tasha, Executive Director, shared a slideshow highlighting their inspiring Fresh Start Initiative and its incredible impact.
SEVACF awards $217k in 2025
The Foundation offers Community Grant opportunities in the Spring and Fall. Board members get together, review, and select recipients in each grant cycle. Listed below are the awardees that our Board has approved this year.
| ARTS & CULTURE | $19,500 |
| Academy of Music | Support Impact Church After-School Program |
| Portsmouth Community Concerts, Inc. | Expenses for five Master Classes |
| Soundscapes | After-School Music Programming |
| Tidewater Arts Outreach | Arts Outreach for Older & Isolated Adults |
| Virginia Gateway Center for the Arts | Wall Street Mural Festival 3 |
| Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art | School Tour Program |
| Young Audiences of Virginia | Project Viewpoint |
| CAPITAL | $42,900 |
| Bon Secours Hampton Roads | Women’s Imaging Center |
| Children’s Health Investment Program (CHIP) | “Build What Matters” Capital Campaign |
| Edmarc | New Electronic Medical Record (EMR) System |
| Fresh Food Pantry | Orchard for families in need |
| Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads | Portsmouth Critical Home Repair |
| Holiday House | HHP New Generator |
| Mercy Chefs | New Ice Maker |
| St. Mary’s Home | Install a Liquid Oxygen System throughout the Home |
| CIVIC & ECON DEVELOPMENT | $5,000 |
| Partnership Development Foundation | Bloom Small Business Accelerator Program |
| EDUCATION | $31,000 |
| Access 4 All | HandyTalker Cards |
| Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Virginia | Out of School Programming |
| Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation | Care Space Program |
| Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads | Community Hub Initiative |
| Elizabeth River Project | Elizabeth River BioBlitzes |
| EVMS Health Sciences Academy | On-Campus Summer Program |
| Hope House Foundation, Inc. | Investing in the Truly Essential, Training |
| South Hampton Road Mission Project (SHRMP) | Bibles and Supplies |
| T2 Fitness Foundation 2 | Mindful Nourishment Series |
| HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES | $118,500 |
| American Red Cross of Coastal Virginia | Disaster Services: When Help Can’t Wait |
| Chesapeake Care | Program Support |
| Fatherhood Foundation of VA | Various Programs |
| Foodbank of Southeastern VA & Eastern Shore | Mobile Pantry Program Support |
| ForKids | Emergency Shelter and Housing Programs |
| Girls on the Run Hampton Roads | Healthy Snacks-Food as Fuel |
| JK Foundation | Lifeline: Assisting Families |
| LIFT Fitness Foundation | Wellness Program |
| Meals On Wheels of Chesapeake | Program Expenses |
| Mercy Drops, Inc. | Dream Center Adopt-A-Block |
| Portsmouth Christian Outreach Ministries | Chronic Homeless Resource (CHRON) |
| Postpartum Support Virginia | Healthy Moms+, Healthy Babies |
| Samaritan House | Emergency Hotel Placement |
| Special Olympics Virginia | Sports &Inclusion |
| SupportWorks Housing | Case Management Program Expense |
| WINKS – With INtentional Kindness & Support | Empathy in Action Project |
| Birdsong Health Literacy Center of Excellence | Pathways to Healthy Aging |
| Candy Cares | Fighting Hunger Program |
| Children’s Assistive Technology Service’s (C.A.T.S.) | Hampton Roads Operations |
| Edward Brown Foundation | Youth Guard: School Gang Prevention & Trauma-Informed Care Program |
| Fear 2 Freedom | AfterCare Kit Distribution |
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes | FCA Camp |
| Joy Ministries | Support Feeding Programs |
| Neighborhood | Program Expenses for Families in Poverty |
| River Ellis Foundation | Provide Direct Assistance, hardships |
| Roc Solid | Supporting Ready Bags Project |
| Rx Partnership | Provide Continuous Medication to Uninsured Adults |
| YMCA of South Hampton Roads | Life-Saving Swim Lessons |