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This is the fifth in a series of articles about the Davie Community Foundation and its work in the county.

In 2021 the Davie Community Foundation awarded $236,779 to local agencies and non-profits. The foundation administers 96 Community Funds to benefit Davie County.

Learn how education dollars are at work.

Cognition of Davie County is committed to making education hands-on and fun for all ages – with a focus on playing, learning, and growing. The interactive museum was awarded a $35,000 Capacity Building grant that allowed the space to re-open to the public, host demonstrations and events and hold camps for kids of all ages. The educational opportunities offered this summer have ranged from Farm to Table Healthy Cooking Classes, sheep shearing demonstrations and cardboard engineering camps where children second-eighth grade designed and built cardboard trains and miniature golf holes.

Davie County Schools was awarded $20,270 for year two of leadership development for principals. COVID-19 created challenges for children and for educators.

Davie Family YMCA’s Before and After School Academy provides out-of-school care for students at elementary schools in Davie County. It was awarded $25,000 which provides additional academic support for students designed to help improve overall student performance.

Ignite Davie College Promise is a place-based last dollar scholarship for residents of Davie who have attended school here. Beginning with the Class of 2020, Ignite Davie pays tuition and fees for full-time attendance at either campus of Davidson-Davie Community College with a stipend up to $250 for books per semester. Ignite Davie was awarded $20,000 in a year three payment of a $100,000 commitment to the endowment to ensure the sustainability of the program.

Milling Manor has a goal – to have the most competent staff possible so that the individuals they serve can live their best live. This grant cycle it was awarded $2,789 to purchase Open Futures, a training library designed to broaden the skill base of support professionals working with individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities. This new program is especially helpful in training new staff. They used part of the grant to certify one of the staff members as a CPR/First Aid Instructor which allows for in-house training for new employees and renewal certifications.

Smart Start of Davie implemented the Nurturing Parenting Program in the Spring of 2017. This 10-week session serves parents and caregivers of children prenatal to 5 years of age. The goal is to support these parents who are striving to be their child’s first teacher. They were awarded $9,000 to help support the program and its continuing growth.

A total of $112, 059 was awarded to local organizations to continue to promote education in Davie County.

“We are proud to support educational opportunities throughout our community,” said Jane Simpson, foundation president.

The foundation “inspires philanthropy to strengthen Davie County for present and future generations.” It is working to promote a spirit of giving in the community and build a permanent endowment. Earnings benefit Davie organizations and projects.

The foundation accepts gifts in any amount, at any time: for an existing fund, the Community Scholarship Fund, or the Davie Community Impact Fund.

Contact Simpson at (336) 753-6903 or jsimpson@daviefoundation.org or visit www.daviefoundation.org.