St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is proud to announce the recipients of $28,000 in scholarships awarded to eight exceptionally talented, rising first-year university students in a Virtual Awards Presentation held on July 7th, 2025. Scholarships were awarded through the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund and the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund. 

Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund
In 2025, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund awarded a total of $10,000 in awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 to five youth whose talent, skill, and leadership will allow them to contribute to the Virgin Islands and the Global Community:

• Curtis Charlery, Jr., George Washington University, Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Vivia Webster, Tulane University, Major: Biochemistry
• Nia Francis, Tennessee State University, Biology
• Nakai Theodore, University of the Virgin Islands, Major: Nursing
• Nathan Langley, New York University, Major: Mechanical Engineering

Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund
The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund awarded a total of $18,000 to six outstanding young people who demonstrated their ability to persevere against the odds to meet their goals.

• One Invitation-Only Scholarship was issued to Jahnaiy Rodriguez to support his second year studying Physical Therapy at Florida A & M University. 
• Five Competitive Scholarships, ranging from $1000 to $4000 each, were awarded to:
  • Nia Francis, Tennessee State University, Major: Biology
  • Nayelis A’Shante’ St. Omer, Tuskegee University, Dual Major: Architecture & Construction Management Science
  • Vivia Webster, Tulane University, Major: Biochemistry
  • J’Neolise Sirraya Green, Winston-Salem State University, Social Work
  • Curtis Charlery, Jr., George Washington University, Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Taking advantage of an early start, Curtis Charlery, Jr., an ambitious scholarship recipient for both funds, matriculated over the summer. In his pre-recorded statement, he described the impact of community-rooted philanthropy.

“These scholarships mean more to me than just financial assistance. They are an investment in my future, and they give me the support and confidence I need as I begin my first year of college. Because of your generosity, I can begin this experience focused and determined, not burdened by financial stress. Your support is not only opening doors for me but also showing me that people believe in my potential. That is a gift I will never take for granted.”

Fund Background and Impact

Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund
The Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund, now in its third year, continues to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Established by Crucian Raydiance Wise, herself an aerospace engineer, the Fund’s purpose is specifically designed to offset unexpected expenses for first-year university students. At the heart of this fund’s purpose lies philanthropy itself, with each applicant being asked to describe how they envision themselves giving back to the Virgin Islands and on a global level. Since 2023, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund has awarded $41,900 to 15 ambitious St. Croix graduates studying forensic accounting, plant genetics, aerospace engineering, and more. To expand opportunities and access, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund has also awarded grants to STEM-related youth organizations such as the St. Croix Rocketry Association.

Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund
The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund was established in 2018 by Junior Gaspard, a distinguished alumnus of Central High School and John H. Woodson Junior High School. Created in honor of his grandparents, one year after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Fund embodies a spirit of resilience and determination. Patrick Williams, a trailblazer who moved his family from St. Vincent to St. Croix, and Amelia Williams, who faced the challenges of losing her eyesight with grace and courage, serve as inspirations for this Fund. It aims to support public high school graduates who have encountered and overcome significant obstacles, empowering them to pursue higher education and achieve personal and professional success. To date, the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund has awarded $113,000 to 24 young people pursuing a diverse range of degrees, from social work and music education to biochemistry and meteorology. Of those young people, seven were invited back for one to three more years of support, ensuring that as studies become more intensive and financial aid decreases, awardees receive sustained support that is critical to success.

St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, stated that “Each year, St. Croix Foundation continues to intentionally cultivate coherence within our scholarship fund portfolio to nurture a pipeline of support for our young people. By continuously assessing the landscape and adapting our approach, we strengthen the foundation for a resilient, thriving future for the Virgin Islands. The candidates for this year’s scholarship exemplified perseverance, ambition, and represent diverse fields of study – all of which are directly related to their experiences growing up in the Virgin Islands and their commitment to give back.”

St. Croix Foundation wishes to extend its sincerest appreciation to the Donors and Advisors of the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund and the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund, as well as the Foundation’s Grants & Scholarship Committee for their time and care in evaluating applications. For more information about how to support these special funds, please visit the Foundation online at www.stxfoundation.org or call 340-773-9898.

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its national 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book on June 9th, 2025. The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book is a 50-state report of recent household data developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, analyzing how children and families are faring post-pandemic. (Note that the U.S. Virgin Islands is not part of the rankings in the National KIDS COUNT Data Book, as it draws data from the American Community Survey, which is not conducted in the territory. The U.S. Virgin Islands is included in the KIDS COUNT © Data Center (https://datacenter.aecf.org/), which houses key data points on child well-being across the nation.)

Each year, the Data Book presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors — and ranks the states according to how children are faring overall.

This year, national Data Book trends presented a complex picture: steady progress in some areas, setbacks in others and persistent opportunities to do better for children and their families. Since 2019, seven of the 16 key indicators have improved, six have worsened and three have not changed.

The national Data Book also highlighted the impact of geography: with data showing that where a child lives matters for their health and quality of life: “Geographic disparities around the country have persisted for years, shaped by differences in state and local policies, economic conditions, infrastructure, resources, neighborhood characteristics and community investment.” Geographic disparity is a reality we face in the U.S. Virgin Islands as well, albeit on a smaller scale. 

To supplement available national data, each year St. Croix Foundation’s KIDS COUNT USVI team publishes a Data Book (or product) focused specifically on the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) that reports available data aligned with the four domains of the national Data Book. To date, St. Croix Foundation has published four Data Books/ Spotlights and, in 2025, released the territory’s first online, interactive KIDS COUNT USVI Data Dashboard (www.stxfoundation.org/kids-count-dashboard/).

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, geography matters as well. According to the 2020 Census, 33% of children in the USVI were living in poverty. The poverty rate is even higher for children under age five, with 37% affected. But poverty levels are not evenly distributed throughout the islands.

One method to illustrate the distribution of children in poverty in the USVI is through a map of the islands, highlighting estates where child poverty is most prevalent. (These custom maps are available in the 2023 KIDS COUNT USVI Data Book, available at this link: stxfoundation.info/2023KIDSCOUNTUSVIDataBook.

On St. Croix, 36% of children across the island lived in families with household income below the poverty line, with the center-west areas (Estate Paradise and Profit) being most affected. Additional pockets of high child poverty are found on the north shore just west of Christiansted (Golden Rock). Areas with the lowest child poverty rates are concentrated in the southeast and eastern ends of the island. Estates and income levels are seen as follows:

St. Croix Estate Name	Percentage of Families with income below the poverty level in that Estate
Estate Paradise	65%
Estate Frederiksted	55%
Estate Golden Rock	54%
Estate Profit	49%
Estate Plessen South	48%
St. Thomas Estate Name	Percentage of Families with income below the poverty level in that Estate
Estate Bovoni	32%
Estate Kronprinsens Quarter	32%
Estate Long Bay	30%
Estate Hospital Ground	27%
Estate Thomas	27%
St. John Estate Name	Percentage of Families with income below the poverty level in that Estate
Estate Mandahl	67%
Estate Bellevue	30%
Estate Beverhoudstberg	29%
Estate Pastory	24%
Estate Calabash Boom	23%

On St. Thomas, 30% of children island-wide lived in poverty according to the 2020 Census. The highest child poverty rates were located in the center of the island (Kronprinsens Quarter and Hospital Ground), and another significant cluster in the southeast (Estate Bovoni). The lowest child poverty rates are concentrated in the west and southwest of the island.

Finally, 27% of children on St. John lived in poverty. The highest concentration of child poverty is found in Estate Mandahl and Estate Saunders Gut, while areas with the lowest child poverty rates are mostly located in the east and northeastern end of the island.

As a child, where you live in the USVI matters. It encompasses the average family income in your neighborhood, the performance of your local public school, the placement of public housing, and the investment of government and private sector resources, including transportation, services, and businesses.

By mapping and monitoring indicators like child poverty at the estate level, we equip policymakers, community organizations, and funders with the evidence needed to prioritize high-need areas and implement targeted interventions. At the same time, critical data gaps remain, particularly in areas such as early childhood development, youth mental health, and educational outcomes disaggregated by disability or language status. Addressing these gaps is essential for developing a fuller, more equitable understanding of child well-being across the territory.

St. Croix Foundation President and CEO, Deanna James, commented, “Geographic disparities are often compounded by systemic inequities shaped by race, class, and gender. In the USVI, historic patterns of underinvestment, colonial governance, and vulnerability to climate-related disruptions contribute to these disparities and require context-specific, equity-driven responses.”

Now in its 36th year of publication, the KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides reliable statewide numbers to help leaders see where progress is being made, where greater support is needed and which strategies are making a difference. “To truly become a country that equips every child to thrive as adults, our leaders need focus, creativity and commitment,” said Lisa Lawson, president and CEO of the Casey Foundation. “The Data Book’s findings call on leaders at every level to act boldly to build a strong future, relying on what we know works.” “By staying grounded in data and driven by what children and families say they need, we can help ensure that all young people have the chance to thrive and contribute meaningfully as adults, helping to grow our future workforce, reduce long-term social and economic costs and build a stronger society for everyone,” Lawson continued.

The 2025 national KIDS COUNT® Data Book can be accessed at www.aecf.org/databook. Virgin Islands KIDS COUNT publications and the Data Dashboard can be found by visiting St. Croix Foundation’s website at www.stxfoundation.org/kids-count-usvi/. For more information about KIDS COUNT USVI, contact St. Croix Foundation at 340-773-9898 or kidscountusvi@stxfoundation.org.

St. Croix Foundation awards 13 organizations funding to support heritage preservation, oral history, cultural programming, artistic expression, and community storytelling.

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (SCF) is pleased to announce the recipients of $534,000 in grant funding through its 2025 Healing Humanities Cultural Place-Keeping Grant Program. Thirteen innovative nonprofits and community groups serving the island of St. Croix have been selected to receive grants supporting projects that celebrate, preserve, and elevate St. Croix’s rich cultural and historical heritage through arts, storytelling, and community engagement.

Made possible through a generous investment from the Mellon Foundation’s Humanities in Place Program, aimed at strengthening local cultural landscapes, the following organizations will receive grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. Over $301,184 in unrestricted operating grants were awarded to organizations whose entire mission and programming explicitly centers cultural place-keeping, while $232,816 in programmatic funding was awarded to nonprofits implementing projects that preserve local traditions, and support cultural sustainability through initiatives that include heritage preservation, oral history, cultural programming, artistic expression, and community storytelling—all rooted in the unique history and identity of St. Croix.

1. Anatha, Through Their Eyes – Bridging Generations – An intergenerational cultural preservation initiative led by Anatha, this project brings together elders and young adults to share oral histories, engage in storytelling workshops, and co-create art rooted in local traditions that will be showcased at community events and archived digitally for future generations.
2. Children’s Museum of St. Croix, Place-Keeping Project – A project that will create an interactive, multi-generational exhibit highlighting the cultural history of Estate Carlton, where the Children’s Museum is located, engaging families in thoughtful and reflective conversations and experiences about history and their place in it.
3. CMCArts, Inc. – The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (CMCArts) inspires and promotes the Caribbean’s rich cultural and artistic heritage through engaging the diverse communities of the Caribbean. At CMCArts, Caribbean identities are explored and shared through the arts through interpretive, multidisciplinary, and interdisciplinary exhibitions, workshops, classes, and educational programs for all ages. CMCArts engages over 25,000 visitors annually, offering free entry to ensure maximum inclusivity.
4. Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism (CHANT) – CHANT’s mission is to promote, preserve, and conserve the built and natural environment of St. Croix and the Virgin Islands, and to serve as a catalyst for sustainable tourism development. Focusing on development from within, CHANT’s programs serve as an engine for sustainable economic development by incorporating historic preservation, traditional arts and crafts, creative placemaking, and workforce development to honor cultural memory while building a more sustainable future.
5. Guardians of Culture, Inc. – The mission of Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies is to honor and preserve the cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands by teaching the traditional art of Moko Jumbies, rooted in the history of enslaved Africans brought to St. Croix over 400 years ago. Guardians of Culture is dedicated to keeping this vibrant tradition alive as a symbol of resilience and guardianship, captivating audiences and inspiring pride in our community’s unique and enduring heritage.
6. Island Food Security, Cultivating Culture and Place-Keeping – A project that will integrate agroecology and indigenous practices, support farmers, increase access to fresh, local food, and strengthen the connection between people, culture, land, and food.
7. Keeping Masquerading Traditions Alive – A project that seeks to preserve and revitalize St. Croix’s dwindling masquerade traditions, particularly Pitchy Patchy, through public performances, community storytelling, and intergenerational workshops.
8. Music in Motion School of Higher Dance Education, Heritage Education and Arts Legacy for Dance (HEAL4Dance) – A project that will offer dance education, art history, heritage exhibitions, and cultural workshops aimed at fostering cultural awareness, dance history, and artistic expression on St. Croix.
9. Our Town Frederiksted, The Glory Days of Frederiksted Revival – A multi-generational cultural education initiative that integrates oral history, arts residencies, live performance, digital storytelling, and a limited-edition book to honor and reimagine the stories of Frederiksted, St. Croix.
10. Quelbe Institute for the Preservation of Traditional Dance – The mission of The Quelbe Institute for the Preservation of Traditional Music and Dance, Inc. is to be an academic and cultural resource for all things associated with Quelbe Music. At this time, the Quelbe Institute is developing four ongoing Projects: (1) A Rehearsal Space dedicated to Quelbe Music, (2) A Recording Studio for creating new Quelbe Music, (3) A comprehensive Discography of Quelbe Music, and (4) An Oral History Project focused on Quelbe Musicians.
11. Ten Sleepless Knights (TSK) – Ten Sleepless Knights (TSK) is celebrating 55 years of delivering its mission to promote the US Virgin Islands culture through Quelbe, our official music, and Quadrille, our official dance. In addition, TSK promotes our culture, history, folklore, and traditions.
12. VI Breast Cancer Project, Art of Healing: Threads of Resilience – Healing Through Arts, Heritage, and Culture – An intergenerational arts program of the VI Breast Cancer Project, which uplifts breast cancer survivors, their families, and children through community quilt-making and other culturally-relevant art forms, using historical and ancestral sites across St. Croix as venues for art classes.
13. VI Literary Festival & Book Fair – The Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair, Inc., is the founder and host of the annual VI Literary Festival & Book Fair, an event exhibiting the intellectual and spiritual dynamism of cultural life in St. Croix, the VI, and beyond. The Festival celebrates Crucian imagination and is a toast to compelling ideas, including writing workshops and author talks. The festival serves as a vibrant platform for readers, writers, bibliophiles, educators, and other creatives to explore their imagination, to preserve existing works, discover new voices, and celebrate storytelling in all its forms.

As shared by SCF’s President & CEO, Deanna James, “These thirteen awardees represent a diverse range of humanities and social services organizations, and together, they are weaving a new system of coherent supports spanning food security, art therapy for cancer survivors, Crucian culture and art, and economic development – all grounded in our People and our Place. Their collective work exemplifies how storytelling, heritage preservation, and cultural expression can serve as vital tools for holistic social renewal and community resilience.” James continued, “This grant opportunity provides an unprecedented and vital platform for a broad spectrum of nonprofits that often do not qualify for federal funding as grassroots organizations that are essential to the fabric of our community but traditionally lack access to these resources. We are proud to support their efforts to advance cultural place-keeping and healing not just as a programmatic priority but as inclusive, innovative, and deeply rooted economic drivers.”

In total, the Foundation received 27 proposals totaling $1,877,080 in funding requests, far exceeding the $534,000 available for this grant cycle. SCF’s Grants Review Committee, composed of SCF Board, Staff, and St. Croix community members, carefully reviewed each application in two rounds, including a preliminary review that allowed organizations a window to clarify questions about required documents. In a secondary review, applicants were selected based on the proposed work’s ability to (1) promote and preserve arts, culture, and heritage rooted in St. Croix’s history; (2) strengthen and sustain local cultural institutions and spaces; elevate community narratives and artistic expression; and (3) embody a shared commitment to cultural healing and resilience.

St. Croix Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to the Mellon Foundation for its support in making this program possible. We also sincerely thank the Foundation’s Grants Review Committee, which collectively dedicated over 100 hours to review each application and select the awardees.

St. Croix Foundation also extends its deepest appreciation to every single applicant, whose tireless efforts to support place-keeping, the humanities, and healing for our People and our Place are inspiring and demonstrate a profound commitment to nurturing our shared cultural heritage and fostering resilience in our community.

For more information about St. Croix Foundation’s Healing Humanities Cultural Place-Keeping Grant Program, please contact 340-773-9898 or visit the Foundation at www.stxfoundation.org.

The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund begin accepting applications on April 15, 2025

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – April 15, 2025 – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is pleased to announce the launch of two vital scholarship opportunities aimed at uplifting and investing in the next generation of leaders from St. Croix. Applications for the Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund are officially open as of April 15, 2025, and will close on June 2, 2025.

Both scholarships are rooted in the Foundation’s commitment to educational equity, youth empowerment, and community transformation.

The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund is designed to assist graduating seniors from St. Croix public high schools by providing scholarships of up to $4,000 to eligible applicants. Established by Junior Gaspard in honor of his grandparents and their perseverance, all applicants will be asked to submit an essay describing a time they met and overcame an obstacle, and a brief video presentation describing their educational and career goals. Applicants must also indicate acceptance to an accredited institute of higher learning and maintain a GPA of 2.0 and higher. 

The Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund will award a minimum of three scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 for 2025 graduates from St. Croix public, private, or parochial schools. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher while providing proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university. Applicants will also be required to submit an essay that outlines the impact this scholarship will have on their ambitions and how their education will impact St. Croix and the global community, as well as upload a brief video outlining their educational and career goals.

The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund and Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund reflect a shared mission between St. Croix Foundation and the founders of the funds, Crucian Natives Raydiance Wise and Junior Gaspard, to nurture the next generation by enhancing educational opportunities for St. Croix youth. 

Since its establishment in 2022, the Lang-Wise STEM Scholarship Fund has awarded $23,500 in scholarships to 10 young people pursuing degrees in STEM fields. The Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund has awarded a total of $95,000 in scholarships to 17 young people since its establishment in 2018. Notably, three recipients from this Fund were supported for the full four years of their undergraduate journey and are today preparing to graduate. And, another partnership with the St. Croix Educational Complex’s 20th Anniversary Reunion Committee inspired a sub-fund that awarded $11,000 to two St. Croix youth. “These scholarships not only provide financial assistance but serve as pathways to long-term impact by investing in the potential of our youth,” said Deanna James, President of St. Croix Foundation. “Through these funds, we are honoring legacy, equity, and a future built by the brilliance and philanthropy within our own community.”

Application Process

Interested graduated seniors can find more details and instructions on how to apply for either or both scholarship opportunities on the Foundation’s website at https://www.stxfoundation.org/grants-scholarships/. All applications will be carefully reviewed by the St. Croix Foundation Grants & Scholarships Review Committee, and applicants will be notified of decisions on June 20, 2025. All scholarship recipients are required to report on their successes and challenges throughout the year to ensure that the funds continue to meet current needs and provide additional support as needed. 

For assistance with the application process, students can contact Lilli Cox at the Foundation at lcox@stxfoundation.org or 340.77.9898.

The St. Croix Foundation extends its gratitude to local Crucians and advisors Junior Gaspard, Anquanette Gasprad, Raydiance Wise, and Alice Lang for supporting these scholarship funds, which are strategically empowering St. Croix youth. For more information about how to support these special funds, please visit www.stxfoundation.org or call 340.773.9898.

About St. Croix Foundation for Community Development

Founded in 1990, St. Croix Foundation is a place-based philanthropic organization committed to holistic community development. As a trusted fiscal sponsor, grantmaker, and community convener, SCF has directed over $50 million in investments into the U.S. Virgin Islands, focusing on community revitalization, nonprofit capacity building, education, economic development, and cultural preservation.

Contact: Deanna James, President and Chief Executive Officer   

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands – On Thursday, June 23rd, the Council on Foundations (COF) in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (SCF) as a recipient of the 2022 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships! The award was presented by Peter Kahn, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development, during a virtual awards ceremony which briefly showcased the impact of each organization. St. Croix Foundation is one of five organizations from across the nation to receive this honor in 2022. A national partnership between HUD and COF now in its tenth year, the Secretary’s Awards are presented annually and recognize philanthropy’s work with government partners as a community strategy to increase the quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents across America.

St. Croix Foundation was recognized for their investment in Community Resilience Hubs in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. St. Croix Foundation projects, which were highlighted through this award, were a Farm Tienda (container farmstand) Initiative; a Solar-Supported Community Center and Workforce Development Initiative; and the renovation and retrofit of the historic Alexander Theater which is currently underway to transform it into a state-of-the-art performing arts center and a downtown Community Disaster Safe Room capable of housing over 300 people. This work would not be possible without the collaboration of countless nonprofit partners on St. Croix, all working together to nurture resiliency and help our community thrive.

According to St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, “This award is truly testament to the impact of Place-Based Philanthropy working in full alignment with Civil Society. Through this initiative, SCF continues to fulfill our fundamental role as a convener and bridge-builder, forging strategic partnerships between nonprofit, private, public and philanthropic sectors. The Foundation is especially grateful for our Nonprofit Consortium Partners who continue to inspire us and remind us each day that the real formula for community resilience lies in the power of community-rooted relationships! In fact, it’s our local Nonprofits who are collectively building real competency around how to effectively activate federal and philanthropic investments to serve the most vulnerable and underserved in our Community and who have been our thought partners and collaborators every step of the way.”

During a prepared statement during the award presentation, James extended her deepest appreciation to HUD and the Council on Foundations for the recognition. “Our Community Resilience Hubs were made possible through investments of time, talent and treasure from FEMA, Global Giving, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA), and numerous other community stakeholders,” said James.

Established in 1990, St. Croix Foundation has served as a conduit for over 42 million dollars in funding for community-based projects throughout the Virgin Islands. With an incomparable track record of successful community development initiatives and national recognition for its work in education reform and small business development, the Foundation has also received international acknowledgment for its community revitalization initiatives and, today, continues directing its focus on energy independence, workforce development, education, youth and families, and of course, the broad-based support of nonprofits, including fiscal sponsorship, grantmaking, and the Nonprofit Consortium.

For more information on St. Croix Foundation’s impact and how to support this work, please phone 340.773.9898 or visit www.stxfoundation.org.

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About The St.Croix Foundation: St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (SCF) was founded 31 years ago in the wake of Hurricane Hugo. Since its inception, the Foundation has been unflinchingly dedicated to the issues of equity and holistic, rooted community development. SCF is equally committed to advancing a brand of progressive place-based philanthropy, as we direct laser focus on catalyzing systemic change through a myriad of philanthropic strategies including strategic grantmaking, direct services, program administration, and nonprofit capacity building.

By: DEANNA JAMES, PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
(TEL) 340.773.9898, (EMAIL) staff@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

St. Croix, U.S.V.I. — St. Croix Foundation is pleased to announce the completion of the second phase of its Pilot Solar-Supported Community Center Project and Workforce Development Initiative with the solarization of the senior citizen housing center, Flambouyant Gardens, in November of 2020. This milestone is being memorialized at a presentation on April 14, 2021 with members of St. Croix Foundation Team and Flambouyant Gardens.

The solar initiative was formally launched in June 2019 and continues to build infrastructure around neighborhood resilience, energy independence, and food security. As a multi-layered resilience model, the Foundation graduated the Virgin Islands’ first cohort of local solar installers, providing workforce development opportunities in a field that nurtures energy independence for St. Croix. As part of the students’ on-the-job training, the Caribbean Center for Boys and Girls of the Virgin Islands and, most recently, Flambouyant Gardens Senior Independent Living Center were both solarized and will serve as resilience hubs that fortify neighboring communities in times of crisis. Funded in partnership with the VI Department of Labor, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, GlobalGiving and several local partners, this project is a model of cross-sector collaboration that builds economic, energy, and community resilience through workforce development, energy independence and strategic, innovative grantmaking for nonprofit capacity building.

During the first phase of the Project, 9 students aged 18-28, successfully completed a 6-month course through the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and received intense classroom instruction in NCCER Core Curriculum, Electrical Levels 1-4, and Solar PV Installation. As of June 2020, 100% of the cohort was fully employed in the field and by October, two participants had been promoted to Team Lead, while one is training to specialize in Tesla power walls. At the conclusion of the classroom component of this program, students received on-the-job training installing Solar Photovoltaic Systems by completing the installation of a full solar system on the roof of the Caribbean Center for the Boys and Girls of the Virgin Islands (CCBGVI).In November of 2020, the second center, Flambouyant Gardens, home to 56 senior citizens, was also solarized through this innovative and holistic approach to community development. The solar systems build capacity in targeted community centers serving children, families, and the elderly. Today, the CCBGVI enjoys energy independence and utility savings of up to 40%, and Flambouyant Gardens has received over $500 in savings, thus far.

In testimony to St. Croix Foundation’s commitment to local nonprofits, the initiative is nurturing a culture of resilience by empowering nonprofits to achieve a reduction in utility costs, the savings from which can be reinvested in direct services that benefit the communities and vulnerable populations they serve. In total, the solar system grants provided by the Foundation are benefitting over 160 youth and elderly every day.

“We are grateful for the collaboration of St. Croix Foundation in the solarization of the Flambouyant Gardens senior community center,” stated Junia John-Straker, Chief Executive Officer for Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands. “It is an opportunity for LSSVI to reinforce our social service support to the community and make Flambouyant Gardens a resilient hub during disasters. Having solar means we can provide reliable power for low-income seniors during power outages — helping them keep communication lines open, store their medication safely and maintain access to information available to them,” John-Straker continued.

In addition to the benefits during blue skies, in the event of future disasters, all selected solar-powered community centers have committed to serving as neighborhood hubs for individuals and families in walking proximity. CCBGVI and Flambouyant Gardens will enable residents in the neighborhood to store medication that requires refrigeration, charge electronic devices, and use an internet connection to communicate with family. Community centers will also have the capacity to serve as localized distribution sites from which aid and relief items can be stored and disseminated in the future. To increase the number of neighborhood resilience hubs, St. Croix Foundation has also begun the solarization phase for its Small Agribusiness Recovery and Revitalization Initiative, in which 7 farmers will receive solar systems for their Farm Tienda. Farm Tiendas are eco-friendly container stores that SCF granted to farmers and outfitted with potable water systems, and now a solar PV system.

This will give farmers off-grid energy and connectivity to process payments, provide lighting and cameras for security, refrigeration for produce, and a small fan. Each farmer has pledged (and already begun during Covid-19) to serve as resilience hubs for their communities.

According to St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, “These initiatives represent model case studies on the power of place-based philanthropy and St. Croix Foundation’s philosophy and multi-pronged approach to philanthropy: catalyze holistic community development that builds capacity in nonprofits, leverages cross-sector collaboration, and directs resources at the intersections of complex social-economic challenges facing marginalized communities.”

The Foundation is deeply grateful for all its community partners for their support and collaboration in making this project a reality including the Department of Labor, Commissioner Gary Molloy and his Team on the Workforce Development Board, Sustainable System and Design International, Lions Den, and course instructors Ian Caesar, Kevin Dubois, Jensen Berkitt, Gregory Christian, and Sana Joseph. For more information, please feel free to contact the Foundation at 340-773-9898 or visit their website www.stxfoundation.org for more information about the Initiative or to support this and other St. Croix Foundation initiatives.

ABOUT ST. CROIX FOUNDATION
Established in 1990, the Foundation has served as a conduit for over 42 million dollars in funding for community-based projects throughout the Virgin Islands. With an incomparable track record of successful community development initiatives and national recognition for its work in education reform and small business development, the Foundation has also received international acknowledgment for its community revitalization initiatives and, today, continues directing its focus on energy independence, workforce development, education, youth and families, and of course, the broad-based support of nonprofits, including fiscal sponsorship, grantmaking, and the Nonprofit Consortium.

ST. Croix foundation Celebrates 31 Years of mission-driven Service & Impact in the U.S. Virgin Islands

CONTACT: Deanna James, President & Chief Executive Officer
(TEL) 340.773.9898, (EMAIL) staff@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

St. Croix, US Virgin Islands – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is celebrating 31 years of service to the U.S. Virgin Islands community on September 24, 2021.

Since 1990, St. Croix Foundation (SCF) has been advancing its mission to encourage greater philanthropic activity, to marshal resources, and to act as a catalyst to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands. As a place-based community foundation established in the wake of Hurricane Hugo, SCF’s founders, Philip Gerard and Michael Neuburger, intentionally positioned the organization to support broad-based community development grounded in the civic sector. As a unique model in the field of philanthropy, the Foundation’s portfolio of work and impact includes grantmaking as well as direct programming and fiscal sponsorship. In total, SCF has been the conduit of $43 million into the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For over three decades, the Foundation has served as a catalyst for systemic change, marshaling resources to focus on nonprofit capacity building as the cornerstone of its community development work. As the fiscal sponsor of up to 40 projects at any given time and a total of over 250 charitable projects since its inception, SCF encourages philanthropic activity by allowing projects that do not have formal 501(c)3 status to operate under SCF’s umbrella and apply for and raise critical funding. To date, SCF has been the conduit of over $23 million in funding for projects providing vital community services. The St. Croix Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) is a current sponsored project of the Foundation and an example of the invaluable role of SCF’s Fiscal Sponsorship services. LTRG is a “cooperative body made up of representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business and other organizations working within St. Croix to assist individuals and families as they recover from Hurricane Maria.” As a sponsored project, the LTRG, in partnership with Lutheran Social Services, has rebuilt 71 homes housing 141 people, and provided lifesaving case management services for affected residents.

According to St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, “As with isolated, under-served and under-resourced communities of color around the globe, in the wake of Hurricane Hugo, capacity for organizations to leverage the full power of grantmaking was severely limited. Our Founders understood that the Virgin Islands needed an organization focused solely on strengthening civil society and, today, SCF’s results are evidence of their unconventional approach.”

St. Croix Foundation’s total portfolio also includes over $1 million in grantmaking and scholarships, which provides immediate relief and operational and programmatic support to organizations and individuals – funding that intersects with the Foundation’s own direct programming and its fiscal sponsored projects.

The Foundation’s direct services catalyze change, providing model programs that introduce equitable, new systems to the Territory. Today, serving as a holistic grassroots model for philanthropy in under-resourced communities of color like the Virgin Islands, the Foundation is focusing on a legacy project to completely renovate the Alexander Theater in Sunday Market Square. As a longstanding vision of SCF’s Founders and Board Members, the theater’s renovation is testimony to the Foundation’s collaborative and strategic approach of leveraging and intersecting projects for multiple benefits.

James stated that “SCF is busier than ever, leading some of its most comprehensive initiatives, from our Nonprofit Consortium and the restoration of the Old Alexander Theater to Kids Count USVI data collection. We are oftentimes, quietly, but always intentionally and collaboratively, building new, equitable systems around food security, energy justice, workforce development, nonprofit capacity building – and data collection. With each passing year, as the work of the Foundation expands and deepens, we could not be more grateful for our Founders, our current Board of Directors, our Staff, volunteers, Sponsors, national funders, and thought partners, and of course, our local nonprofits. Together, we are amplifying a truly progressive, high-impact approach to community development.”

The Foundation invites anyone interested in learning more and supporting its current projects to contact SCF’s President, Deanna James, at djames@stxfoundation.org or visit the Foundation’s website at www.stxfoundation.org.

ST. Croix foundation awards $160,000 in Sustaining Impact Grants through Care Fund

CONTACT: Deanna James, President & Chief Executive Officer
(TEL) 340.773.9898, (EMAIL) staff@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

St. Croix, US Virgin Islands – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is pleased to announce that $160,000 in grants were awarded to 11 member organizations of the Foundation’s Nonprofit Consortium. Made possible through the Foundation’s CARE Fund and GlobalGiving, the 2021 CARE Sustaining Impact Grant serves to build operational and programmatic capacity among nonprofits as they advance COVID-19 relief efforts.

The CARE Fund, which was established in the immediate aftermath of 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria, supports strategic, high-impact investments in the Virgin Islands for disaster recovery and community resilience. Now a permanent Fund of the Foundation’s, in this cycle of grantmaking the CARE Fund prioritized 1) Stabilizing nonprofits serving vulnerable populations through the Open-Door Funding; and 2) Providing direct support to frontline NPOs to build or expand programming.

This 2021 cycle of the CARE Fund was invitation only and offered to St. Croix Foundation’s Nonprofit Consortium (NPC) member organizations. A coalition of 25-plus nonprofits, NPC is a progressive civic model that collaborates around four vital sectors including, 1) health and human services, 2) education and youth development, 3) environs (built and natural), and 4) arts, culture, and Crucian heritage. Applications were carefully reviewed by the Foundation’s Grants Review Committee, with the following nonprofits and charitable projects receiving awards between $10,000-$15,000:

1. Caribbean Center for Girls and Boys of the Virgin Islands: Out-of-School Programming
2. Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts: Art Ignites!
3. Diane Hampton Breast Cancer Project: Art Therapy Workshops
4. FYR is LIT: BLAZE Literacy and Teen Leadership Development
5. Music in Motion: 39th Dance Season
6. Croix Environmental Association: Afterschool Environmental Education
7. Croix Landmarks Society: Junior Preservationists Program
8. Croix Long Term Recovery Group: Resilience Hub Planning
9. Virgin Islands Architecture Center for Built Heritage and Crafts: Strategic Development Organizational Capacity Building
10. Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition: Organizational Capacity Building
11. World Ocean School: Roseway Program Capacity Building

Funding for this round of grants will support programs that collaborate to leverage scarce resources and span literacy skill development, art therapy, and organizational capacity to achieve greater impact. Awards were made possible through a grant award from GlobalGiving, a global crowdfunding platform that connects donors with meaningful causes in over 165 countries and operates on a core principle that “good ideas can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time.” In 2020, the GlobalGiving community raised more than $105 million for projects in 169 countries alone.

To date, St. Croix Foundation’s CARE Fund has invested over $1.9 million into the Virgin Islands’ ongoing recovery efforts through innovative and strategic grantmaking, workforce development, energy independence, and food security initiatives. President and CEO of St. Croix Foundation, Deanna James, stated, “With the Virgin Islands continuing to be outside of most national philanthropies’ funding sphere, GlobalGiving’s trust-based approach to grantmaking allows the Foundation to not only keep doors open but build capacity in the civic sector for sustained impact.”

St. Croix Foundation extends its deepest appreciation to GlobalGiving and to the Virgin Islands nonprofits, national partners and foundations as well as the Foundation’s Grants Review Committee for its engagement.

For more information on how you can support the CARE Fund, or to support the Foundation’s numerous other projects/programs please contact St. Croix Foundation at 340-773-9898, staff@stxfoundation.org, or visit its website at www.stxfoundation.org.

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ABOUT ST. CROIX FOUNDATION
Established in 1990, the Foundation has served as a conduit for over 42 million dollars in funding for community-based projects throughout the Virgin Islands. With an incomparable track record of successful community development initiatives and national recognition for its work in education reform and small business development, the Foundation has also received international acknowledgment for its community revitalization initiatives and, today, continues directing its focus on energy independence, workforce development, education, youth and families, and of course, the broad-based support of nonprofits, including fiscal sponsorship, grantmaking, and the Nonprofit Consortium.

St. Croix Foundation Releases the 2021 KIDS COUNT USVI Data Book

CONTACT: DEANNA JAMES, PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
(TEL) 340.773.9898, (EMAIL) staff@STXFOUNDATION.ORG

St. Croix, US Virgin Islands – St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (SCF) is pleased to announce the release of the 2021 KIDS COUNT USVI Data Book on December 15, 2021, at 10:00 AM AST during a Virtual Community Stakeholder Presentation that is open to the public.

A national initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF), KIDS COUNT has evolved into one of the largest, long-standing data repositories in the United States focused on the status of children and families. A national network of nonprofits, foundations, and consortia from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, KIDS COUNT is seen as a vital means of providing critical data about child well-being for many federal, state, and local government agencies.

During the virtual presentation on the 15^th, SCF’s KIDS COUNT Team will provide an overview of the 2021 Data Book to Government Partners and Community Stakeholders. The 2021 KIDS COUNT Data Book comprehensively reports on U.S. Virgin Islands youth in four primary domains (Family and Community, Education, Health, and Economic Well-being). An electronic copy of the Data Book will be distributed to participants. Parents, educators, nonprofit organizations, policy makers, and public administrators are likely to find the information in this year’s Data Book to be useful. Interested parties may register for the Presentation at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qc-yopj0pE9MQpJnL5GuvsXcFpF3lhjm3. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome.

The KIDS COUNT Data Book includes data for the years 2017 through 2020, collected from the most current available data sources (including Governmental as well as Nonprofit) throughout the Territory. One targeted population that the KIDS COUNT Team seeks to highlight is the often-overlooked subpopulation of our children: adolescents.

President and CEO of St. Croix Foundation, Deanna James, stated: ”From the outset of this work, the Foundation has been affirmed in our belief that data is just the beginning. What our community does with the data is the real task before us. As the territory continues to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, concurrent with a protracted hurricane recovery, our KIDS COUNT USVI Team believes that, collectively, community stakeholders can seize the opportunity to address the inequities that persist in the lives of children and families.”

St. Croix Foundation extends its deepest appreciation to the Annie E. Casey Foundation and its many local partners from the public, private and civic sectors for their collaboration and commitment to children and families in the Virgin Islands. The Foundation also thanks GlobalGiving for its generous, unwavering support of its work. Questions about the initiative should be directed to President Deanna James of St. Croix Foundation at 340.773.9898 or staff@stxfoundation.org.

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ABOUT ST. CROIX FOUNDATION

Established in 1990, the Foundation has served as a conduit for over 42 million dollars in funding for community-based projects throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands. St. Croix Foundation has a track record of leading impactful community development initiatives and has received national and international recognition for its work in education reform, small business development, and community revitalization. Today, the Foundation is focused on energy independence, workforce development, education, youth and families, and providing support and capacity building for nonprofit organizations through fiscal sponsorship, grantmaking, and the Nonprofit Consortium.