News

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** 

*CavFutures Foundation Announces 20 Grant Recipients for Local Nonprofit Initiatives* 

Charlottesville, VA - May 7, 2025 - CavFutures Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipients for its second year of it’s one-of-a-kind grant program, Champions of the Community, resulting in the selection of 20 local nonprofit organizations to receive funding for their impactful initiatives in the Charlottesville community. City of Promise, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia, Sexual Assault Resource Agency, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, The Salvation Army of Charlottesville, Charlottesville High School, Cultivate Charlottesville, Hospice of the Piedmont, Start A Spark of Central VA, Central Little League, HER Sports, Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, Music Resource Center, Bridge Ministry, The BUCK Squad, Make-A-Wish of Greater Virginia, 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, Bennett’s Village, and The Yellow Door Foundation make up the grant recipients for 2025.

CavFutures Foundation is proud to partner with this diverse group of nonprofits dedicated to addressing critical needs and driving positive change within our community. These selected organizations exemplify innovation, dedication, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of our fellow residents. Seven more grants were awarded in Year 2 of the program, with the amount given back to the community totaling more than $200,000.

“We could not be more excited for how the second year of Champions of the Community went,” said Lo Davis, Executive Director of CavFutures Foundation. “There were nearly double the applicants from year one, and CavFutures Foundation is thrilled to be able to support such a diverse group of organizations providing necessary support to the Charlottesville community.”

Of the 20 recipients, 14 are first time grant awardees through the Champions of the Community program. The organizations receiving grants in 2025 support Charlottesville in everything from food security to mentorship to mental health resources and more. 

Grant applications received a thorough examination by the UVA Student-Athlete Leadership Academy team, made up of 20 athletes across 12 sports. The Leadership Academy students spent months receiving education about the grant making and awarding process. 

“Evaluating Champions of the Community grant recipients really opened my eyes,” third year football player Will Bettridge said of his experience in the program. “It was amazing to see so many people helping and volunteering to make the community a better place. Working with my peers and choosing recipients was such an honor and really helped me feel like I was making a difference.”

“This program is a unique way for student athletes to leverage their NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) to support their local community,” Davis said. “We are grateful to the Weinberg Family Foundation for their continued collaboration and support that allows CavFutures Foundation and UVA to make such an impact.”   

For more information about CavFutures Foundation and its grant program, please visit www.cavscare.org. 

Contact: 

Lo Davis 

Executive Director 

CavFutures Foundation 

lo@cavalierfutures.com 

434-999-8821 

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About CavFutures Foundation: 

CavFutures Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves as a complimentary entity to CavFutures and is dedicated to educational programming related to personal growth and development, mental health advocacy, financial literacy, personal and professional branding and more. Champions of the Community is their local granting program dedicated to supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents of Charlottesville, VA. Through these grant programs, partnerships, and community engagement efforts, the Foundation works to address critical needs, promote equity and inclusion, and build a brighter future for all members of the community.