St. Croix, U.S.V.I. — The St. Croix Foundation for Community Development will celebrate 26 years of leadership and service in the Virgin Islands on Thursday, September 22nd, at their annual Birthday Block Party in the Sunday Market Square in downtown Christiansted from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The annual celebration is being held in conjunction with the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce’s Business After Hours.
Established in 1990, the Foundation has served as a conduit for over $37,000,000 in funding for community based projects throughout the Virgin Islands. With an incomparable track record of successful community development initiatives and national and international recognition for its work in education reform, small business development, and community revitalization, the Foundation is now directing focus on Four Pillars of Community Development: Public Safety, Public Service, Public Policy, and Public Will.
According to the Foundation’s Executive Director, Deanna James, those pillars represent critical intersection points and guideposts for holistic community development and strategic philanthropy. The St. Croix Foundation’s new focus is now linking all of its initiatives and priorities in innovative ways to ensure maximum impact and to leverage scarce resources. Executive Director Deanna James stated that, “Despite the challenges facing our community socially and economically, it appears that the seeds we have sown, the lessons we have learned, and the partnerships we have nurtured have all positioned the Foundation to be a bona-fide Territorial Civic Leader.”
The Foundation remains grounded in the philosophy of its founders, Phillip Gerard and Michael Neuburger, who believed that functioning as a hybrid operating foundation, which is both a grantmaker and a program administrator, was the single most effective format for serving a community with such significant needs and socio-economic disparities.
According to James, “in future months and years the Foundation will be working more intentionally and strategically with the nonprofit sector, which we believe will be the bedrock and foundation of leadership and social transformation in the Territory.”
The Foundation wishes to thank its committed donors and sponsors who make the organization’s work possible in conjunction with a multitude of community partners from the private and public sectors, past and present Board members, and volunteers for their immeasurable contributions over the years.
Special thanks also goes out to the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, Chef Billy D and his catering team, Singhs, and Gary’s Bakery, the Virgin Islands Police Department, Department of Public Works, and the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee for their support and contributions in preparing for the upcoming event. For more information on the St. Croix Foundation and to learn more about the exciting work being spearheaded by the organization, visit the Foundation’s website at www.stxfoundation.org or contact the St. Croix Foundation directly at 340-773-9898.