The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded $506,600 in scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year to 114 students pursuing higher education. This substantial financial support encapsulates the 35 Community Foundation scholarship funds launched by individual donors over the years wishing to make a difference for students in Northern Virginia and beyond. These efforts reflect the Foundation’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities and supportive legacies throughout the region.
Of the schools awarded, six projects are focused on mental health and five are geared towards physical activity. Grants up to $2,000 will be used to improve the health outcomes of children in our region. These grants are possible through the Community Foundation’s Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia, an endowment forever supporting the critical need throughout the region.
Devon Bacso of Smarts Middle School, a Healthy Kids grantee, says,
“Thank you so much for helping us create a calm regulation zone for students. We can't wait for this space to be up and running so teachers are able to instruct students who are more present and "online" for learning and so that our student body can practice healthy coping skills!”
(Pictured left) Smarts Middle School’s ‘Zen Den’ soon to be transformed thanks to CFNV grant money
It is important to the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia that we combat the decline of physical and mental health of our area’s youth. In their January 2023 Insight Region Report, The Shape of Youth Mental Health, survey responses illustrated “…47 percent of high school students in Northern Virginia experienced recent, clinical levels of anxiety/depression or past-year mental health need (persistent sadness and/or suicidal thinking).”
To learn more about the Grants program, visit here.
The following press release includes a full list of school awardees.
READ THE FULL RELEASE
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