Contact: Deanna James, Executive Director
(Tel) 340.773.9898, (Email) djames@stxfoundation.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2018

St. Croix, USVI- St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is pleased to announce over $275,000 in grant awards to St. Croix nonprofits. As a critical component of its Hurricane Recovery CARE Fund, the Foundation is awarding strategic grants to support a holistic recovery for St. Croix. Recognizing the critical service gaps that St. Croix Nonprofits are filling with scarce philanthropic support and limited local governmental funding, grants were awarded to St. Croix-based nonprofit organizations and charitable initiatives that offer programs and direct services targeting the most vulnerable and under-served populations affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Projects with efforts that span from after-school programs to community revitalization initiatives were funded through this first cycle of grants.  Grants ranging from $7,500 to $50,000 were awarded to the following organizations: AZ STEM Project, Boys and Girls Caribbean Center of the Virgin Islands, Choices Basketball Camp, Christiansted Lighthouse Mission, Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, Cruzan Cowgirls Horse Rescue, St. Croix Walls Project, Frederiksted Health Care, Men’s Coalition of the VI, Onyx Opera, Good Hope Country Day School’s Summer Theater Camp, USVI Soccer Association, VI Perinatal, and the St. Croix World Ocean School.

According to Executive Director, Deanna James, “St. Croix Foundation is committed to advancing a conversation around real equity in how investments are being made.” Emphasizing the importance of nonprofits in the Territory’s recovery efforts and in the philanthropic response to the disaster, James stated that “St. Croix Foundation has developed a set of standards and criteria which ensure that the most underfunded organizations are prioritized. It’s a formula the Foundation is advocating for from all policymakers and philanthropic entities.”

With 8 of 13 public schools closed on St. Croix, a compromised health care system, and 60% of blue roof tarps in the Territory located on St. Croix, priority was given to nonprofit organizations who are filling in vital gaps in health and human services, education, and the arts.  The St. Croix Foundation has also dedicated significant resources to nonprofits who are leveraging their work and resources for greater impact through collaboration with a partnering organization. Grantees will have to adhere to strict reporting guidelines to ensure the highest degree of accountability and focus in meeting outlined goals and timelines. Reporting is also strategically designed to allow the Foundation to collect further data on the nonprofit landscape and our community’s needs for services that, in turn, assists the Foundation in developing its own programmatic agenda including how to advocate for and assist nonprofits far beyond grantmaking.

Launched immediately following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the CARE (Caribbean Assistance and Relief Effort) Fund is providing direct support to both front-line relief and long-term recovery efforts on St. Croix and throughout the US Virgin Islands. Grounded in a commitment to accountability, through the CARE Fund St. Croix Foundation is doing what they do best: supporting a holistic approach to community development while also ensuring real equity for St. Croix and resilience for our Territory.

To date, the CARE Fund has coordinated and sponsored the shipment and distribution of approximately 250,000 pounds of relief aid; provided free temporary office space to over 15 NGOs displaced by Hurricane Maria including the Boys and Girls Club & the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council, who are now being permanently housed at the Foundation; conducted critical needs assessments and surveys of residents and nonprofits; and is also serving as the fiscal sponsor for the St. Croix Long Term Recovery Group (LTGR) at no fee.

St. Croix Foundation wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to the countless national foundations, corporations and individual donors who have made the CARE Fund and these grants possible, including W.K. Kellogg Foundation, JPB Foundation, AARP, Johnson & Johnson, Miami Foundation, and Newman’s Own Foundation; all of which awarded first time grants to the Territory to support St. Croix Foundation’s work and the Territory’s recovery.

St. Croix Foundation invites donors and community partners to contact the Foundation at 340.773.9898 or visit their website at www.stxfoundation.org for more information on how to support the Foundation’s rebuilding efforts and our CARE Fund.

Contact: Deanna James, Executive Director
(tel) 340.773.9898, djames@stxfoundation.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. CROIX, U.S.V.I., April 23, 2018 – The St. Croix Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund for St. Croix youth. Geared towards providing opportunities for St. Croix students to pursue their career goals through colleges or universities, scholarships not to exceed $5000 will be awarded to successful applicants. All applications will be reviewed on the basis of residency, school attendance, and GPA.

Graduates from a St. Croix public high school who have also attended a public junior high school and reside on St. Croix are eligible to apply. All applicants must provide proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university and must indicate and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Applications will be reviewed by the St. Croix Foundation Grants Review Committee and must be received no later than June 15 with awards announced by July 16.

The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund was established by their grandson Junior Gaspard, a native of St. Croix and graduate of Central High School and John H Woodson Junior High School, who wishes to honor his grandparents. Gaspard saw hard work and determination embodied in his grandfather’s spirit when he moved the entire family to St. Croix from St. Vincent while his grandmother’s resilience as she dealt with being blind provided a road map to overcoming anything with strength and perseverance. He has seen firsthand the drive and ability St. Croix youth and knows many of them just need the resources to seize the opportunity of higher education. Gaspard said, “There are talented students at a variety of income and GPA levels and we wanted to create a scholarship for students across the spectrum.”

To reflect the spirit of Patrick and Amelia Williams, this scholarship Fund also gives priority to young people who are involved in meaningful community service and who participate in extra-curricular activities. The Fund acknowledges the challenges that many young people face in becoming more involved in civics, however, and invites students to demonstrate in essays the reality of their socioeconomic issues to allow the Review Committee to better assess applications.

After visiting the island in December post-Hurricane Maria, Gaspard wanted to do something that could have a long-term impact. Knowing the challenges high-school students face preparing for and getting resources for college in a post-hurricane environment, this seemed to be most impactful way to help. “I remember going to double sessions and doing homework by kerosene lantern after Hurricane Hugo,” said Gaspard. “If this helps a few students who can persevere to get and stay in college, it will be a success.”

The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund will provide up to two scholarships a year with all scholarship recipients required to report on their successes and challenges throughout the year. This process will ensure that the Fund continues to meet current needs and to provide students with additional support if needed. Applications are due by June 15 and all applicants will be notified by July 16. The full application guidelines can be found on the Foundation’s website at www.stxfoundation.org. Applicants are encouraged to apply online; however, applications may also be mailed/delivered to St. Croix Foundation’s office at 1023 Market Street, Christiansted, VI 00820.

St. Croix Foundation wishes to extend its sincerest appreciation to Junior Gaspard, who is strategically giving back to the community and honoring those that provided him further opportunities that have led to his success! For more information about the Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund, please visit the Foundation online or call at 340.773.9898.