About PATH
THE PATH FOUNDATION
is a philanthropic charitable foundation that supports Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Culpeper counties. Since 2014, we have invested over $84 million in our community. Through grants, programs, and partnerships, we help provide resources to the organizations that align with our mission and values to serve our community.
CORE FOCUS AREAS
Grant recipients must align with one or more of our core focus areas: Access to Health, Childhood Wellness, Mental Health, and Senior Services.
Grant recipients must align with one or more of our core focus areas: Access to Health, Childhood Wellness, Mental Health, and Senior Services.
OUR MISSION
PATH
Resource
Center
PATH Resource Center
The PATH Resource Center began as a
partnership with the Charlottesville-based
Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE). Since
then, the Resource Center has grown to include
the PATH Volunteer Hub, PATH Community
Link and a Warrenton office for the CNE. The
PATH Foundation also operates community
meeting rooms (available free-of-charge to
nonprofits) and hosts the Fauquier Chamber
of Commerce and Leadership Fauquier in our
office space.
The PATH Volunteer Hub is home to LetsVolunteer.org, an online platform that connects local nonprofits with community members looking to volunteer their time. Today, more than 6,815 volunteers are registered on the platform. The Volunteer Hub also provides case-by-case assistance and advice on implementing volunteer programs. In addition, the Volunteer Hub spearheads an annual, community-wide, month of service: Let’s Volunteer Days.
PATH Community Link, is a free, confidential resource that connects community members in need with organizations and services that can provide aid. You can call or email for personalized assistance or search the online database for services that help with needs such as food, transportation, translation, financial assistance, health care, case work, housing and more. Se habla Español.
(855) 495-LINK (5465)
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, at the PATH Resource Center, offers personalized tools, training, consulting, and resources to nonprofits in the Foundation footprint. With the goal of strengthening the impact of nonprofits in the community, the PATH Resource Center also offers classes, workshops, access to the Foundation Directory Online (FDO), and many more services.
Volunteer Spotlight
Anita Sutherland
Longtime Fauquier resident, Anita Sutherland (77), is not one to sit idly by. On the contrary, since her retirement Anita has been an avid member of the PATH Resource Center’s Volunteer Hub:
“Once I retired, I wanted a routine and I decided that volunteering was something I needed to do. I thought, ‘[Volunteering is] a great reason to get up and get out of the house!”
When the PATH Volunteer Hub launched in late 2016, Anita was among the first to utilize the platform to connect with local organizations and quickly recognized the positive impacts it has on serving her community:
“I was amazed by how many organizations [the PATH Volunteer Hub] had on the site. [The PATH Volunteer Hub] really opened up opportunities for me to not only connect with the school, church and hospital communities, but a lot of communities I hadn’t touched the nursing homes and animal welfare groups.”
Along with her experience volunteering at the Fauquier Free Clinic, Remington Community Garden, Encompass Community Supports, Fauquier SPCA—and the list goes on—through the Volunteer Hub, Anita realized her passion for volunteering at local senior centers.
“My mother was in a nursing home. Once I realized these senior centers were on the site, I thought, ‘This is wonderful, I can now do this for other people.’ I sent notes and letters through the Volunteer Hub to seniors who don’t receive many.”
Anita feels as though there is something to gain from
volunteer opportunities for everyone involved:
“I really like the feeling of volunteering, it really
opens your heart. Even a smile from some of these
older people is really heartwarming; they are so
thankful for what [the volunteers] do. It feels great to
make even a small difference in some of their lives.
Volunteering really does something for your soul.”
Longtime Fauquier resident, Anita Sutherland (77), is not one to sit idly by. On the contrary, since her retirement Anita has been an avid member of the PATH Resource Center’s Volunteer Hub:
“Once I retired, I wanted a routine and I decided that volunteering was something I needed to do. I thought, ‘[Volunteering is] a great reason to get up and get out of the house!”
When the PATH Volunteer Hub launched in late 2016, Anita was among the first to utilize the platform to connect with local organizations, and quickly recognized the positive impacts it has on serving her community:
“I was amazed by how many organizations [the PATH Volunteer Hub] had on the site. [The PATH Volunteer Hub] really opened up opportunities for me to not only connect with the school, church and hospital communities, but a lot of communities I hadn’t touched the nursing homes and animal welfare groups.”
Along with her experience volunteering at the Fauquier Free Clinic, Remington Community Garden, Encompass Community Supports, Fauquier SPCA—and the list goes on—through the Volunteer Hub, Anita realized her passion for volunteering at local senior centers.
“My mother was in a nursing home. Once I realized these senior centers were on the site, I thought, ‘This is wonderful, I can now do this for other people.’ I sent notes and letters through the Volunteer Hub to seniors who don’t receive many.”
"Volunteering really
does something
for your soul."
Anita has only increased her volunteering over the years. Since retirement, Anita says she has been able to volunteer more consistently— at least three days a week— and she enjoys when others do the same.
“I’m so pleased that the PATH Foundation
has pulled the community together from
teens walking dogs for theSPCA to volunteers
at Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center.
[PATH is] such a complete
asset to the community.”
Community Engagement
Let's Volunteer Days &
Season of Giving
Each holiday season, the PATH Volunteer Hub sponsors a Season of Giving where the public is encouraged to give back to their community through the many holiday volunteer opportunities found on the PATH Volunteer Hub. In 2023, we had 20 opportunities with over 50 volunteer responses!
Piedmont Smiles
PATH supported the Fauquier Free Clinic through event planning, funding, and volunteer recruitment through the PATH Volunteer Hub for their annual Piedmont Smiles free community dental day!
PATH Intern Program
During the summer of 2023, PATH accepted a new class of 19 interns and placed them at various nonprofit organizations across Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Culpeper counties. This initiative highlights PATH’s dedication to fostering community development, supporting local organizations, and providing young professionals with valuable work experience.
Give Local Piedmont
In May, the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF) partnered with the PATH Foundation to host their annual Give Local Piedmont event. Give Local Piedmont is an opportunity for nonprofits serving the Piedmont region to raise funds and spread the word about their missions. Thanks to NPCF’s leadership 3,072 donors supported 201 nonprofit organizations with donations totaling $1,189,600.
Ice Cream Pop Ups
Throughout the summer of 2023, PATH held 16 fre ice cream truck pop up events for the community. We extend a special “thank you” to Big D’s Ice Cream & Little Pop Ice Cream Truck for serving frozen, sweet treats to over 2,200 folks of all ages!
Spotlight
Youth Mental Health
In November 2023, PATH welcomed five participants from PBS’s documentary, Ken Burns Presents Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness, a film by Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers, to Warrenton for an open dialogue on youth mental health. The documentary follows more than 20 young people, their loved ones, and medical professionals as they navigate their mental health. The participants’ lived experiences shine a light on the pervasiveness of mental illness in young people, citing disorders, traumas, triumphs, and losses as means of trying to understand their mental health landscape in real time.
Following a short screening, the PATH Foundation was honored to have Maclayn Clark, accompanied by his loving mother, Mary; his licensed clinical mental health therapist, Kee Dunning; the esteemed board-certified child, adolescent, adult, and forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Sarah Vinson; and the inspiring Makalynn Powell—all of whom were featured in the film. Led by PATH Foundation Director of Programs Andy Johnston, a lively discourse on mental wellbeing was exchanged between the panel, Andy, and community members, offering an enriching forum where difficult conversations were had.
The PATH Foundation also promoted the Commercialization Hubs’ Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (REACH PPP) training through an informative video encouraging anyone working with children to partake in the trainings. The REACH PPP program offers both Interactive Live Training—an interactive course focused on building skills and confidence in diagnosing and treating pediatric behavioral health problems—and Case-Based Learning—training in a case-based distance learning program. In 2023, Kettle Run High School, Highland School, Rappahannock County High School, and the Northern Piedmont Sports Club accepted PATH grants to facilitate these trainings.
The PATH Foundation understands how incredibly complex these conversations on mental health can be. By offering free opportunities for constructive conversations and the tools to handle youth mental health, we hope to encourage community members to embrace the discomfort and bridge the divide between a person’s mental illness and the help they need. PATH is so grateful to the filmmakers at PBS and the brave individuals from Hiding in Plain Sight for bringing that conversation into our homes, schools, workplaces, and community. With the right tools at our disposal, we aim to support our youths’ mental health journeys in any way we can!
Spotlight
Youth Mental Health
In November 2023, PATH welcomed five participants from PBS’s documentary, Ken Burns presents Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness, a film by Erik Ewers & Christopher Loren Ewers, to Warrenton for an open dialogue on youth mental health. The documentary film follows more than 20 young people, their loved ones, and medical professionals as they navigate their mental health. The participants’ lived experiences shine a light on the pervasiveness of mental illness in young people: citing disorders, traumas, triumphs, and losses as means of trying to understand their mental health landscape in real time.
Following a short screening, the PATH Foundation was honored to have Maclayn Clark, accompanied by his loving mother, Mary, his Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kee Dunning, the esteemed board-certified child and adolescent & adult and forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Sarah Vinson, and the inspiring Makalynn Powell—all of whom were featured in the film. Led by PATH Foundation Director of Programs Andy Johnston, a lively discourse on mental wellbeing was exchanged between the panel and community members, offering an enriching forum where difficult conversations were had.
In response to the youth mental health crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, PATH teamed up with 18 Virginia-based foundations that granted a total of $170,000 to cover the cost of pediatric mental health training for primary care providers. The Virginia Mental Health Access Program (VMAP) coordinates intensive three-day interactive trainings using a model developed by the REACH Institute and adapted for Virginia. As part of this effort, PATH also coordinated with a local pediatrician, Joshua Jakum, to develop a promotional video encouraging organizations serving children to enroll.
Over 100 doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants now treat their pediatric patients’ mental health challenges with increased knowledge, skills, and confidence. This effort marks the first time this many Virginia funders have joined together to generate larger impact, boding well for future collaborative efforts.
In 2023, PATH also incentivized youth-serving organizations to enroll in Youth Mental Health First Aid Training, coordinated by the Mental Health Association of Fauquier County. Depending on the number of staff and/or volunteers trained, organizations received $800, $2,000, or $4,000. Among the groups that embraced trainings this past year were Kettle Run High School, Highland School, Rappahannock County High School, and Northern Piedmont Sports Club.
The PATH Foundation understands how incredibly complex these conversations on mental health can be. By offering free opportunities for constructive conversations and the tools to nurture youth mental health, we hope to encourage community members to embrace the discomfort and bridge the divide between a person’s mental illness and the help they need. PATH is grateful to the filmmakers at PBS and the brave individuals from Hiding in Plain Sight for bringing that conversation into our homes, schools, workplaces, and community. With the right tools at our disposal, we aim to support our youths’ mental health journeys in any way we can!
Overview of Grants
PATH offers four varities of grants: Flexible Funding, Make it Happen!, Technical Assistance and the Better Together Fund. Flexible Funding grants are offered twice each fiscal year, while Make it Happen! and Technical Assistance grants are accepted on a rolling basis.
Flexible Funding
Flexible funding grants provide unrestricted general operating support to eligible 501(c)(3)s. Organizations may apply for funding to be used as needed toward a nonprofit’s mission.
Flexible Funding grants must align with at least one of PATH’s four priorities: Access to Health, Childhood Wellness, Mental Health, and Senior Services.
Make it Happen!
Make it Happen! grants foster the can-do attitude of our region and promote creativity in our communities. By offering $25,000 in funding, the goal of these grants is to provide a bright spot in the community through encouraging fresh ideas from new voices.
Technical Assistance
Technical Assistance grants help organizations operate effectively. Funds may be used to offset the cost of a consultant, tools, or training opportunities, enabling nonprofits to achieve their mission.
Better Together
Better Together funding supports nonprofit-led events that bring people together. We provide up to $2,500 to nonprofits to plan community-facing events. This funding opportunity was offered between April and August 2023.
Overview of Grants
Overview of Grants
PATH offers four different grant opportunities: Flexible Funding, Make it Happen!, Technical Assistance, and the Better Together Fund. Flexible Funding grants are offered twice each fiscal year, while Make it Happen! and Technical Assistance grants are accepted on a rolling basis.
Flexible Funding
Flexible Funding grants provide unrestricted general operating support to eligible 501(c)(3)s. Organizations may apply for funding to be used as needed toward a nonprofit’s mission. Flexible Funding grants must align with at least one of PATH’s four priorities: Access to Health, Childhood Wellness, Mental Health, and Senior Services.
Make it Happen!
Make it Happen! grants foster the can-do attitude of our region and promote creativity in our communities. By offering up to $25,000 in funding, the goal of these grants is to provide a bright spot in the community through encouraging fresh ideas from new voices.
Technical Assistance
Technical Assistance grants help organizations operate effectively. Funds may be used to offset the cost of a consultant, tool, or training opportunity, enabling nonprofits to achieve their mission.
Better Together
Better Together funding supports nonprofit-led events that bring people together. We provide up to $2,500 to nonprofits to plan community-facing events. This funding opportunity was offered between April and August 2023.
2023 Grantees
Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County (AAHA)
Aging Together
American Red Cross of Central Virginia
Artists in Middleburg
Boys & Girls Club of Fauquier
Brumfield Elementary
Bull Run Mountains Conservancy
Career Partners, Inc.
CASA Children’s Intervention Services, Inc.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington
CDR Resource Center
Childhelp
Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties
Community Touch
Cornerstone Baptist Church
Culpeper Baptist Church
Culpeper Community Development Corporation
Culpeper County Government
Culpeper County Public Schools
Culpeper Literacy Council
Culpeper Winter Heat Shelter
Encompass Community Supports
ESL at Warrenton Baptist Church
Experience Old Town Warrenton
Family Futures
Fauquier Community Child Care, Inc
Fauquier Community Coalition
Fauquier Community Theatre
Fauquier County 4-H
Fauquier County Government
Fauquier County Public Schools
Fauquier Education Farm
Fauquier Family Shelter Services, Inc.
Fauquier FISH
Fauquier Free Clinic
Fauquier Habitat for Humanity
Fauquier Heritage & Preservation Foundation
Fauquier Historical Society
Fauquier Youth Livestock Advisory Council
Foothills Forum
Foothills Housing Corporation
Friends of the Rappahannock
George Washington Carver Agricultural Research Center Inc.
Girls on the Run Piedmont
Goose Creek Association
Headwaters Foundation
Hero’s Bridge
Highland School
Hope Heals Foundation
Hospice of the Piedmont
Hospice Support of Fauquier County
Just Neighbors
Kid Pan Alley
Laurel Ridge Community College
Leadership Fauquier
Learning Starts Early
MAFRAC – Mid-Atlantic Food
and Resilience Access Coalition
Marshall Middle School
Marshall Moving Forward
Master Gardener Assoc of
Fauquier & Rapp Counties
Minority and Veteran
Farmers of the Piedmont
Morgan’s Message, Inc.
Northern Piedmont
Community Foundation
People Helping People
Piedmont Dispute
Resolution Center
Piedmont Environmental Council
Piedmont Journalism Foundation
Piedmont Regional Dental Clinic
Postpartum Support Virginia
Rainbow Therapeutic
Riding Center
Rapp Center for Education
Rapp at Home
Rappahannock Benevolent Fund
Rappahannock County
Broadband Authority
Rappahannock County
Public Schools
Rappahannock Pantry, Inc.
Rappahannock-Rapidan
Regional Commission
RCPS Parent Teacher
Organization
Remington United
Methodist Church
Rooted In Education
Rx Drug Access Partnership
Serendipity Equines
Services to Abused
Families, Inc. (SAFE)
Sex, Drugs & God, Inc
Spiritual Care Support Ministries
SpiritWorks Foundation
Sustainability Matters
Sustainable Agriculture and
Food Systems Funders
The Arc of North Central VA
The Bridge Community Church
The Child Care &
Learning Center
The Clifton Institute
The Free Clinic of Culpeper
The Plains Community
League (TPCL)
The Plains Park Authority
The Salvation Army
The Warrenton Meeting Place
Town of Warrenton
Verdun Adventure Bound, Inc.
Virginia College Advising Corps
Virginia Health Care Foundation
Warrenton Police Department
Warrenton United
Methodist Church
Warrenton Youth Sports Club
Windmore Foundation
for the Arts
Windy Hill Foundation
Youth For Tomorrow
Grant Highlights
The Plains Community League
In 2023, The Plains Community League accepted two grants totaling $12,500: a $10,000 Make it Happen! grant toward a summer camp for children of working adults; and Better Together funding of $2,500 for A Day in The Plains, a community-facing event made possible by 50 nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers. This community effort culminated on the day of the event with live music, a horse-drawn carriage, face painting, free ice cream, hot dogs, and more!
Feed. Inspire. Support. Health. (FISH)
PATH granted FISH $100,000 in Flexible Funding toward general operations and to feed food-insecure students through their Weekend Power Pack (WPP) program. Each WPP contains family-sized breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and fresh fruit. During the 2022- 23 school year, FISH fed over 450 children per week, distributing 15,354 bags, totaling over 93,000 pounds of food.
FISH also received $2,500 for their Book Bags & School Supplies (BBSS) program, providing book bags filled with school supplies to children in need. In August 2023, over 1,100 backpacks containing school supplies were distributed to students during their distribution drive-through event.
Sustainability Matters
Sustainability Matters received a $25,000 Make it Happen! grant and another $25,000 in Flexible Funding to expand their programming and continue research and education on community recycling in partnership with the Mountain Vista Governor’s School. Sustainability Matters also utilized funding to increase community engagement with initiatives such as Rappahannock County’s Making Trash Bloom site— which has inspired the county to transition all 10 acres of the landfill to a native seed mix!
Career Partners Inc.
In 2023, PATH awarded Career Partners
with a $25,000 Flexible Funding grant continue three programs, including E-Squared (Entrepreneurial Energy)— a semester-long competition of Culpeper County students paired with business coaches. The 2023 winning team, LuxFind, introduced the LuxLight—a flashing LED beacon created to aid first responders in quickly locating a home.
Career Partners also expanded programming through their English Language Learning (ELL) externship where ELL students were partnered with bilingual business owners who shared their business experience and advice with the students. Finally, Modeled after the High Quality Work Based Learning model, Career Partners’ Mentoring Program was able to provide 140 hours of instruction through job shadowing and one-on-one mentoring, plus high school credits.
Grant Highlights
Local Journalism
In 2023, funds supported Foothills Forum in Rappahannock County, and the Piedmont Journalism Foundation in Fauquier. These funds supported their work on in-depth articles examining the post-Covid youth mental health crisis in the region, housing affordability and availability in the Piedmont, and other community concerns.
Rappahannock Food Pantry
In 2023, the Rappahannock Food Pantry received $75,000 to continue reducing food insecurity in Rappahannock County. With a new build at Rush River Commons in Little Washington complete in 2024, the Rappahannock Food Pantry will dramatically increase in size with an expanded “store,” kitchen, walk-in freezer & fridge, meeting space, and copious amounts of storage.
George Washington Carver Agricultural Research Center Inc.
The George Washington Carver Agriculture Research Center received a total of $175,000 from the PATH Foundation to build out the new Carver Food Enterprise Center (CFEC)—a 6,200 square foot shared commercial kitchen, food business incubator, and classroom. PATH matched a $100,000 Growth & Opportunity (GO) Virginia grant to develop the new space, and granted another $75,000 to continue operations, and introduce a program director position. The CFEC facility opened in September 2023 to growers, food business owners, entrepreneurs, and organizations. CFEC has two signature programs: the Stone Soup Job Training Program through which participants learn basic culinary skills from guest chefs and receive a ServSafe Food Handler certification; and the Feeding 500 program, which processes heavy produce harvests into nutritious, ready-to-serve meals for distribution at local food banks.
Culpeper County Housing Efforts
Culpeper Housing and Shelter Services (CHASS) received $80,000 in Flexible Funding grants to maintain operations at their 15-bed emergency homeless shelter, the 44 low income rental units at Ann Wingfield Commons, and the 37-unit Parkside low income housing community currently under construction. CHASS helped to prevent homelessness in 2023 by rapidly rehousing and acquiring affordable housing options for individuals and families in the Culpeper area.
Habitat for Humanity of Culpeper County was awarded a $50,000 Flexible Funding grant toward a new home for mother of five, Elizabeth. The 2,000 sq. ft. home is the largest built by Culpeper Habitat thanks to 8,200 volunteer hours provided by a majority of volunteers aged 60 or older. The family has since moved into their new home, and Elizabeth has found a new passion for affordable housing.
Fauquier Education Farm
The Fauquier Education Farm received $75,000 for cold food storage and operating fund to continue growing and harvesting produce to donate to local food banks. In 2023, the Fauquier Education Farm donated 54 tons of produce! The Fauquier Education Farm does just that— educates the community on agriculture through best-method demonstrations, classroom instruction, on-farm workshops, and hands-on learning!
Financials
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash
Prepaid expenses & other assets
Investments
Notes receivable
Property & equipment (net)
Total Assets
Liabilities
Accounts payable & accrued expenses
Grants payable
Deferred federal excise tax
Total liabilities
Net Assets
Without donor restrictions
With donor restrictions
Total net assets
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
2023
$6,581,703
1,395,013
233,827,374
3,261,900
8,833,416(net)
$253,899,406
$537,344
2,484,240
562,597
$ 3,584,181
$249,531,770
783,455
$250,315,225
$253,899,406
2022
$6,581,703
1,395,013
233,827,374
3,261,900
8,833,416(net)
$224,099,496
$795,054
3,466,963
500,000
$ 4,762,017
$218,522,297
815,182
$219,337,479
$224,099,496
FISCAL YEAR 2023
OCTOBER 1, 2022 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
GIVING ALLOCATIONS & PROGRAMMING
$11,360,580
TOTAL FISCAL YEAR 2023
Since 2014, PATH has
invested over $84M
in our communities!
53% $6,040,271
Health Priorities
Includes Access to Health, Childhood Wellness, Mental Health & Senior Services
28% $3,224,231
PATH ProgrammingIncludes PATH Resource Center, Community Link, Volunteer Hub and PATH Partnerships
6% $695,134
Capacity Building
3% $372,553
Other
Includes Discretionary Grants & Regional Population Health
2% $356,094
Nonprofit Office Space
2% $295,000
Community Engagement
2% $198,007Make it Happen!
Technical Assistance
2023-2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Roger Baker
Vice Chair
Roque Castro
Christy M. Connolly
President and CEO
Betsy Dietel
Philip Dudley
Daphne B. Latimore
Douglas M. Marshall III
Chair
John McCarthy
Mary Leigh McDaniel
Sallie Morgan
Hanna Lee Rodriguez
Secretary & Treasurer
Dr. Major R. Warner Jr.
Joy Stuart Willey
Patricia Woodward
OUR STAFF
Alejandro Boza
Facility Coordinator
Christy M. Connolly
President & CEO
Catherine Deane
Communications Officer
Beth Foddrell
Program Officer
Elizabeth B. Henrickson
Chief Operating Officer
Andy Johnston
Director of Programs
Lynn Lauritzen
Volunteer Hub Manager
Julie Lerudis
Chief Financial Officer
Melanie Moline
Office Manager
Susan Bartenstein Necci
Financial Analyst
Amy Petty
Vice President of Communications
Grant Pearse
Director of Finance
Yesenia Reyes
Community Link Manager
Kelly-Jo Gilkey Settle
Executive Assistant
David Shang
Program Officer
Michele Stamper
Staff Accountant
Margy Eastham Thomas
Program Officer
