The Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF) has distributed $95,000 in grants to 14 local nonprofit organizations through the Richard Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund. These grants are designed to support a range of impactful initiatives across the region, addressing pressing community needs and fostering long-term growth.
One of the grant recipients is Foothills Forum, which received funding to support two key initiatives. Beyond sustaining its essential local journalism efforts, the grant will enable Foothills Forum to launch an innovative youth journalism program.
“Nonprofit news outlet Foothills Forum is thrilled to be the recipient of a Lykes Fund grant from NPCF,” executive director Emily Oaks said in a statement. “Reliable, nonpartisan local news is key to a healthy society, with study after study showing that without a good local news source government corruption increases, civic engagement declines and political divisions deepen. Thanks to the NPCF Lykes grant, young people in Rappahannock County will have the opportunity to interact directly with local journalists, understand the value of ethical reporting and learn how to produce their own accurate news stories in mediums of interest and familiar to their peers.”
This initiative will bring students together in a series of interactive workshops designed to teach them how to identify credible sources, craft compelling stories, and present their work through modern media platforms. Students will have the chance to collaborate with experienced journalists and explore creative ways to make local news more engaging and accessible to their peers.
Jane Bowling-Wilson, executive director of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, commented on the significance of the awards:
“We are incredibly proud to support these 14 local nonprofits through the Richard Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund,” she said. “Each of these organizations plays a crucial role in strengthening our community, and this funding will help them continue their essential work. For Foothills Forum, this grant will empower the next generation of journalists, ensuring that our local news continues to thrive and evolve for years to come.”
The Richard Lykes Rappahannock Community Fund, established by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF), is dedicated to supporting organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing the unique needs of the Rappahannock region. Through this fund, NPCF is investing in transformative projects that will create a lasting impact across the area’s social, educational and cultural landscape.
Other grant recipients include:
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Family Futures — Building A Better Future For Rappahannock’s Students: The Family Futures Program
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Foothill Forum — Investing in Young People and the Future of Journalism
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For the Cats ‘ Sake — Support for the Homeless and Abandoned Cats in Rappahannock County
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Friends of the Rappahannock County Library — Rappahannock Library Programs & Support
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Headwaters, the Rappahannock County Public Education Foundation, Inc. — After-School Enrichment Program (2024-25)
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Hospice of the Piedmont — The Serenity Fund
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Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community (RAAC) — Rappahannock Youth Summer Chorus & Drama Program
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Rapp Center for Education — Butchery to Aid Local Foods Movement
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Rappahannock Benevolent Fund — 2025 Vehicle Assistance
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Rappahannock Food Pantry — Healthy Home
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Sustainability Matters — Making Trash Bloom at the Rappahannock County Landfill
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The Bridge Community Church — Emergency Services Canteen Unit
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Virginia Cooperative Extension — John Jackson Blues Festival: Celebrating Rappahannock’s African American Cultural Heritage
- Washington Volunteer Fire and Rescue — Stretcher/Cot replacement
