From the desk of Harvest Foundation President Kate Keller
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Continuous improvement is a cornerstone of our foundation's ethos.
At Harvest, we are committed to being perpetual learners, drawing insights from both our successes and missteps to be an effective partner for our community.
One tool in this quality improvement journey is the Grantee Perception Survey, which we conduct every few years. Managed by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP), this survey not only evaluates our performance against thousands of other foundations but also against a select cohort of peer foundations similar to Harvest.
Thank you to all of the organizations that completed the survey. We truly appreciate you taking the time to give us honest and open feedback. We were so pleased to hear that our grantee partners view Harvest as having a very positive effect on them, their work and the community.
While we received positive scores for our partnerships and effectiveness, we also saw some opportunities for improvement in our processes. With these types of assessments, you need to be open to hearing the good and the bad, and we are grateful that we heard both. This is how we grow and improve.
We will be taking these points and evolving some of our processes to make them more purposeful and meaningful to our grantees and to make us a better philanthropic partner. Read below to find out more.
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Members of The Harvest Foundation's staff and Board of Directors met at Hope Center Ministries for a site visit in May 2023.
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The Harvest Foundation releases results from 2023 Grantee Perception Survey
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Survey asks grantees for honest feedback on staff interactions, grant processes from Harvest
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Martinsville, Va. — The Harvest Foundation released results from its 2023 Grantee Perception Report, conducted by The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP).
The survey, conducted over May and June of 2023, was sent to all organizations that applied for funding from The Harvest Foundation throughout 2021 and 2022. A total of 36 surveys were sent with 29 responses received for a total survey response rate of 81 percent.
CEP did not report or share individual results or identifying characteristics with Harvest. The names of survey respondents were omitted and all comments were edited to remove potentially identifying details so the results remain anonymous.
“Receiving candid feedback from our grant applicants is a valuable tool that we use to continually assess our effectiveness and build processes that not only work for Harvest but work for our grantee partners,” said Kate Keller, president of The Harvest Foundation.
The survey included themes that evaluated the foundation’s:
- Impact on the grantees’ fields, communities, and organizations;
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Understanding of intended beneficiaries and challenges;
- Interactions and communications with grantees;
- Application, reporting, and evaluation processes;
- Assistance beyond the grant;
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
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Pictured above are DelShana LeGrant (left) and Laura Frazier.
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LeGrant, Frazier tapped to join The Harvest Foundation Board of Directors
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Martinsville residents DelShana LeGrant and Laura Frazier will join the 15-member board
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Martinsville, Va. — The Harvest Foundation today announced the addition of two new members joining its Board of Directors this year, Martinsville residents DelShana LeGrant and Laura Frazier.
“We are fortunate to have DelShana and Laura onboard to share their expertise and leadership with Harvest and the greater community,” said Kate Keller, president of The Harvest Foundation. “Their strengths will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of the foundation, which will enable us to make an even greater impact toward a positive future for all individuals who call Martinsville-Henry County home.”
LeGrant has a strong background in early childhood education and special education. When asked to serve on the board, she said she was “honored, humbled, and excited” for the opportunity.
“The time-honored work of The Harvest Foundation aligns with my value system and my commitment to lifelong community service and engagement,” LeGrant said. “I will use my voice, experience, expertise, and networks to protect the reputation, support the vision, and promote the mission of The Harvest Foundation so that it remains a sustainable and viable force contributing to the growth, health and development of our community.”
Frazier is an assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Child Support Enforcement Section. She said accepting the nomination to serve on the Harvest Board of Directors is one more way she can give back to the community she and her family call home.
“I’ve always been an admirer of Harvest’s projects and mission, especially since so many of them align with my personal and professional background,” she said. “My background in education, public health and law has provided me with experiences that I hope to use and share during my tenure with the board. I am especially grateful for the years I served as a guardian ad litem in this community as it gave me first-hand insight into the homes and lives of local families and helped me to better understand their needs.”
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Paddlers enjoy the water at Philpott Lake in Bassett, Virginia.
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Virginia spending reached $70.4 million in Martinsville-Henry County in 2022
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Virginia reached $30.3 billion in visitor spending, returning to pre-pandemic levels
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Martinsville – Henry County, VA (January 25, 2024)– Visitor spending for Martinsville – Henry County reached $70.4 million, a 5.1 percent change over 2021. Tourism-supported jobs in Martinsville – Henry County totaled 787 while local tourism-related taxes were $2.8 million.
According to the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC), tourism in Virginia generated $30.3 billion in visitor spending in 2022, an increase of 20.3% from 2021, exceeding 2019 levels by 4.4%. The tourism industry in Virginia directly supported 210,721 jobs in 2022, an increase of more than 25,000 jobs relative to 2021, but still down about 30,000 jobs relative to 2019. All data is from Tourism Economics and is based on visitor spending from trips taken 50 miles or more away from home.
“Tourism in Martinsville – Henry County is certainly rebounding,” stated Kelly Rowland, the Tourism Marketing and Client Relations Manager. “Martinsville – Henry County is not just a place, it’s an experience. With our diverse venues and attractions, we are crafting a destination that inspires curiosity and leaves lasting memories for all who visit.”
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FREE Tax Preparation for households with incomes $60K or less!
Open Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
Call (276) 403-5976 for more information or to schedule your appointment. File on your own for free at www.myfreetaxes.com. Don't forget your required tax prep materials. See the flier for the full list.
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Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia — Martinsville
Community Wellness Grant Cycle
FOCUS AREA: Addressing the basic human needs of our vulnerable populations is crucial to helping our community thrive. But that can’t happen when people are experiencing barriers to accessing food, safe and affordable housing, and other basic necessities. The Community Wellness Grants will focus on support to the following:
- Programs that provide food assistance for individuals and families facing food insecurity.
- Programs that aim to increase the availability of safe and affordable housing options for low-wealth individuals and families.
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Programs that work towards preventing homelessness, providing temporary shelters, offering supportive services, and assisting individuals in transitioning to stable housing.
- Programs that provide clothing and other essential supplies to needy individuals and families.
We look for programs/projects that provide a well-planned approach to the issues and needs in the community, with a demonstrated track record of support and committed leadership with an emphasis given to those requests that promote collaboration between organizations with similar missions.
Applications Open: February 1, 2024
Application Deadline: By 4:00 p.m. on February 15, 2024
Grant Decisions Made: March-April
Geographic Location:
Organizations located in, and serving Cities of Martinsville, Roanoke and Salem, and the counties of Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Roanoke
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There's always something fun to do in
Martinsville-Henry County.
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Make an impact in your community. Share your HOPE.
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We welcome your voice and ideas at The Harvest Foundation.
Our general responsive grants cycle is open year-round with consideration from our Board of Directors once a quarter. Our PUP Small Grants Program is an open process with decisions made in less than six weeks. Project Hope grants support small, grassroots projects with immediate impact.
Give our office a call to schedule an appointment with a program officer.
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About The Harvest Foundation:
The Harvest Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2002 by the sale of Memorial Hospital. In partnership with the diverse people and organizations that call MHC home, we serve as a long-term catalyst, advocate, and investor to make our community a welcoming place where all can thrive. Our vision is a community where everyone shares in the promise of an MHC that is healthy, prosperous, and vibrant. To date, the foundation has invested more than $170 million in grant dollars back into the community and has an annual grants budget of roughly $10-12 million. To find out more about Harvest, visit www.theharvestfoundation.org.
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www.theharvestfoundation.org | (276) 632-3329
134 E. Church St. | P.O. Box 5183
Martinsville, VA 24115
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