Educational Success

Educational attainment is a key predictor for future success. GCF invests in strategies proven to have the most influence on students' long-term educational advancement and career preparation including early childhood education, supportive school environments, out-of-school enrichment and positive behavioral developments. For students who do not pursue a traditional path to college, we recognize a need for innovative workforce programs that cultivate job and life skills and provide young people access to career opportunities.

Our Goals:

• Children enter school ready to learn and receive effective academic and social support throughout their educational experience.
• Youth are nurtured to become skilled, self-sufficient and contributing members of the community.

Recent Grants

Spring 2023

Total Amount Awarded: $69,250

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula - Project Learn at the Gloucester Club is an educational enhancement program that transforms the entire Club into a learning environment. 

Concerts by the Bay, Inc. - continuation of the Concerts by the Bay youth program by the presentation of a musical or theatrical performance that enhances and encourages the performing arts to elementary students in Gloucester County.

Gloucester Arts on Main, Inc. - "Palette Pals," provided by Arts on Main, at no cost to local Elementary, Middle and home-school students. Here, learning meets creativity through through Virginia's Standard of Learning-inspired art lessons, held in the classroom.

Gloucester County Public Schools Educational Foundation - the 2023 Summer Skilled Trades Career Cohort program; a paid work-based learning (externship) experience for high school students interested in pursuing employment in the skilled trades through local Gloucester business partners.

Rappahannock Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. - to support a RCC High School Navigator at Gloucester High School.

Rappahannock Area Health Education Center - Health Science STEM camp.  The camp will provide a hands-on interdisciplinary experience for high school youth interested in STEM, with an emphasis on health.

Samaritan Group, Inc. - J. D. Briggs fund which has been expanded to cover grades K-12 in Gloucester County with providing funding for various school activities and fees.  The Nursing Scholarship provides two scholarships for $1000.00 each to a 3-4 year nursing student.

The DeGood Foundation - expansion of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to Gloucester County. An early-literacy program to inspire a love of books, reading, and learning in Gloucester's children.

The Fairfield Foundation - programs that enrich student curriculum STEM & humanities subjects, inspire appreciation of past lives, and increase respect for historic resources in the community through hands-on archaeology and history.

YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas - providing back-to-school clothing and gear for Gloucester children whose families are struggling due to ongoing impacts of the pandemic, high food and housing costs, physical and mental health concerns.