Cav Futures Foundation News

CavFutures Foundation Announces Grant Recipients for Year 2 of the Champions of the Community Program

Wed, 07 May 2025 17:35:16 GMT

Twenty Charlottesville nonprofits to receive grants in 2025

**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 the Central Blue Ridge, 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.

CavFutures Foundation Announces Year 2 of Champions of the Community Grant Program

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 17:40:28 GMT

Over $130,000 in grants were awarded in Year 1 to local Charlottesville nonprofit organizations.

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

CavFutures Foundation, in partnership with the Weinberg Family Foundation, is proud to announce that the second year of the Champions of the Community program gets underway on December 3, 2024. Champions of the Community is an initiative that provides grant funding directly to Charlottesville-area nonprofit organizations. This grant program aims to connect UVA student athletes with local nonprofit organizations to support and deepen their work and impact serving the community.

In the program’s inaugural year, Champions of the Community awarded over $130,000 to 13 area nonprofits. Those grants helped feed families in need, supported after school programs for children, gave girls opportunities in sports, provided assistance to patients receiving hospital treatments, and more.

The Champions of the Community grant initiative works in collaboration with the Leadership Academy, which is part of UVA Athletics’ Student Development program. The Leadership Academy teaches participating student athletes about how nonprofits operate, the grant making process, and provides education regarding vetting and nominating applications for grant selection.

“We are so excited about the launch of the second year of Champions of the Community,” Director of Programming and Community Engagement Caroline Darney said. “This program is the perfect way to engage the University of Virginia, its student athletes, and the Charlottesville community as a whole. Seeing the impact that was made in just one year is so heartening, and it’s only going to grow from here.”

The Champions of the Community grants are available to any 501(c)(3) that operates within the city of Charlottesville as well as Albemarle County.

Important dates for the upcoming cycle include:

December 3 - Application Window Opens

January 23 - Application Window Closes

Late April/Early May - Grant Announcements and Disbursement

For more information and to apply, please visit our website . Please email info@cavscares.org with any questions.

CavFutures Foundation Announces Grant Recipients for Inaugural Champions of the Community Program

Wed, 15 May 2024 13:04:08 GMT

Thirteen Charlottesville non-profits to receive grants in 2024

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

*CavFutures Foundation Announces Grant Recipients for Local Non-Profit Initiatives*

Charlottesville, VA - May 15, 2024 - CavFutures Foundation is thrilled to announce the conclusion of its inaugural grant program, Champions of the Community, resulting in the selection of 13 local non-profit organizations to receive funding for their impactful initiatives in the Charlottesville community. The Albemarle Foundation for Education, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge, the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Camp Holiday Trails, Charlottesville Community Bikes, City of Promise, Come As You Are Cville, Computers4Kids, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, HER Sports, the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Stepping Stone Charlottesville, and The Yellow Door Foundation make up the grant recipients for 2024.

After a thorough and competitive evaluation of grant applications by the UVA Student-Athlete Leadership Academy team, the CavFutures Foundation is proud to partner with a diverse group of non-profits 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.

"We are incredibly excited to collaborate with these outstanding non-profit partners on their projects," said Lo Davis, Executive Director of CavFutures Foundation. "Each organization brings a unique perspective and approach to addressing the pressing issues facing our community, and we are honored to support their efforts.

“CavFutures Foundation believes that every student athlete has value in their NIL (Name Image and Likeness). In collaboration with the Weinberg Family Foundation, Cav Futures Foundation has created this unique grant program that not only impacts our community with time spent serving the community, but also providing much needed financial resources to local non-profits.”

As part of these efforts, the CavFutures Foundation will host a programming event in September, bringing together the UVA Student-Athlete community, community leaders, and non-profit organizations. This event will serve as an opportunity to announce details of the 2025 Champions of the Community Grant Program and facilitate networking and collaboration among participants.

"We believe in the power of collective action and collaboration to drive positive change," added Davis. "Our upcoming event will provide a platform for dialogue, partnership building, and shared learning as we work together to build a stronger, more vibrant Charlottesville community."

Details about the programming event, including date, time, and location, will be announced in the coming months. For more information about the CavFutures Foundation and its grant programs, please visit www.cavscare.org.

Contact:

Lo Davis

Executive Director

CavFutures Foundation

lo@cavalierfutures.com

434-999-8821

###

About CavFutures Foundation:

Cav Futures Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that serves as a complimentary entity to Cav Futures 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.

CavFutures Foundation: Champions of the Community

kbooth@cavalierfutures.com (Kellie Booth) — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 17:37:43 GMT

NEW GRANT PROGRAM FROM CAVFUTURES FOUNDATION BRINGS TOGETHER AREA NON-PROFITS AND UVA STUDENT ATHLETES

CavFutures Foundation (CFF), a leading force in UVA student athlete empowerment and development, is thrilled to unveil its innovative grant-giving initiative, "Champions of the Community” on March 5, 2024, in Downtown Charlottesville, VA.

This unique effort, brought to you by The Weinberg Foundation, is set to catalyze positive change within

Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, VA.

Led by the team at CavFutures Foundation, “Champions of the Community” is a grant program that aims to connect UVA Athletes with area non-profit organizations to support and nurture community development projects that will enrich the lives of residents and enhance the overall well-being of the region.

If you are with a local non-profit interested in participating in this program, we invite you to attend the Info Session and Press Conference and Info Session at 10am on March 5, 2024, hosted by Lo Davis – Executive Director of CavFutures Foundation.

APPLICATIONS OPEN MARCH 5

APPLICATIONS CLOSE APRIL 10

DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS BEGINS ON MAY 6

Please RSVP by 2/20/24 to confirm your attendance at the link below.

For any questions, please contact Lo Davis, Executive Director info@cavscares.org or 434-999-8821

City of Promise Partners With CavFutures Foundation

kbooth@cavalierfutures.com (Kellie Booth) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:52:32 GMT

Partnership engages community-minded student athletes in the work of City of Promise

City of Promise is partnering with CavFutures Foundation to foster Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities with UVA student-athletes. These NIL deals are agreements from student-athletes to use their following and platform in the community to promote and support City of Promise. This initiative is part of a wider push from City of Promise to forge more, meaningful partnerships with mission-aligned local entities to positively impact community members.

“We’re excited to work with CavFutures Foundation and create relationships between UVA student athletes and the community,” said Price A. Thomas, executive director of City of Promise. “These young athletes are role models for our kids and having them as advocates for City of Promise will allow us to create new avenues for impact. It’s impressive the energy these young men and women bring to working in their community and we can’t wait to get to work.”

The partnership will lead to greater visibility of the City of Promise brand in the community and on social media, as well as opportunities for City of Promise members to meet and form relationships with the student-athletes.

“CavFutures Foundation is extremely excited to partner with City of Promise,” remarked Lo Davis, Executive Director of CavFutures Foundation. “Our mission is to engage the local community by engaging our UVA student athletes in a way that they can utilize their NIL to shine a brighter light on organizations like City of Promise who are making a huge impact on the lives of so many.”

About City of Promise

Modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone, City of Promise is a place-based nonprofit located in the historic Westhaven/10 ^th and Page neighborhood aiming to make a positive impact on generational poverty by creating a pathway from cradle to career for Charlottesville residents. Employing a child-centered approach to family self-sufficiency, City of Promise focuses on academic tutoring, mentoring, and resource brokering to help students and their families reach their full potential. For more information visit www.cityofpromise.org and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn @cityofpromise and on Instagram and Twitter @city_of_promise.

About CavFutures Foundation

The CavFutures Foundation complements the CavFutures (NIL Collective) marketplace by providing governance across our programming, deepening community engagement and impact within philanthropic / community organizations and establishing an expansive network of athletes and alumni to create a broader and deeper community of support, connection, and impact - all together. To learn more about CavFutures Foundation please visit www.cavscare.org

Hoo Highlight: Ben Smiley

kbooth@cavalierfutures.com (Kellie Booth) — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 18:47:03 GMT

UVA Football player, Ben Smiley, is making a difference in his community.

Ben Smiley, a defensive end on the University of Virginia’s football team, exemplifies the impact that student-athletes can have on their communities. As a sixth-year student from Chesapeake, Virginia, Ben has worked with the CavFutures Foundation throughout the year. His partnership with the CavFutures Foundation has provided him opportunities to engage with the Charlottesville community throughout a diverse array of events.

Ben started the fall semester by working at the CavFutures Foundation’s Back to School Bash, hosted at the Charlottesville Boys and Girls Club. This event provided school supplies, sneakers, and haircuts for local children, and it included food and games as well. Ben was one of dozens of UVA student-athletes partnered with CavFutures Foundation who helps support the event, and his leadership and passion for serving his community were on display throughout the event.

In December, Ben wrapped up the fall semester by working at the CavFutures Foundation flag football clinic which was held in conjunction with HER Sports. This event was an opportunity to encourage, engage, and empower young girls through sport and was the first of several clinics to help build interest in a girls flag-football league in Charlottesville. As a talented football player, Ben helped coach the young participants through drills as they learned basic skills, and even joined in the pick-up game when one team needed help in the quarterback position.

In addition to working at individual events, Ben consistently mentors at a local elementary school. He spends this time with fifth-grade boys, helping them with homework, playing games with them, and tossing around a football. This has been a worthwhile experience for Ben, as he describes, “Working with kids at a local elementary school has allowed me to not only build impactful and meaningful relationships with kids but also enabled me to be a positive role model, especially for those without father figures.” Ben has been an inspiration to the students he mentors, as described by the teachers he's worked with: he never fails to light up the classroom and his gentle demeanor helps him quickly connect with students and earn their trust.

Most recently, Ben is partnering with the Charlottesville Ballet to endorse The Keith Lee Scholarship Fund. This new scholarship program seeks to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Charlottesville Ballet Academy, and it specifically aims to support young and diverse men. The promotional campaign will emphasize the benefits of ballet for everyone, football players included. Ben is featured in a lighthearted video that will help promote the scholarship throughout the Charlottesville community, displaying further evidence of his commitment to supporting young children in his community however he can.

Throughout his time working with the CavFutures Foundation, Ben has connected with the Charlottesville community in many meaningful ways. He is a steadfast and reliable student-athlete, both on and off the field. Kellie Booth, Director of Marketing, Media, and Athlete Engagement for CavFutures describes Ben as, “The perfect example of how well our student–athletes can connect to young kids and really inspire them.”

Partnership Highlight: HER Sports

kbooth@cavalierfutures.com (Kellie Booth) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 22:53:53 GMT

CavFutures Strives to Promote Women in Athletics Through Partnerships With Organizations Such as HER Sports

CavFutures has partnered with HER Sports, an organization whose mission is rooted in fostering the development of girls through sport. Established in 2020 by Jessica Cater, HER Sports aims to empower, educate, and engage girls not only in sport but in all aspects of life. A Charlottesville native, Carter attended and played basketball at Mary Baldwin University. Among her high ranks as a player, Carter is Mary Baldwin’s leader in career points, and she has been inducted into the Mary Baldwin University Hall of Fame. As Carter recognized the invaluable characteristics and life skills that she developed through basketball, she established HER Sports’s programming around the principles of health, unity, excellence, trust, leadership, and respect. HER Sports also works to address and overcome racial, gender-based, social, and economic disparities and barriers to sport that girls may face.

On the impact of partnering with organizations such as HER Sports can have, Kellie Booth, Director of Marketing, Media, and Athlete Engagement at CavFutures, says, “It’s really important to us that we demonstrate our commitment to supporting female athletes, not just through developing opportunities for female student-athletes at UVA but also through supporting the next generation.” CavFutures hosted HER Sports Day this past fall, which was an event to expose young girls to new sports. In December, as a part of a holiday season giving initiative CavFutures Foundation donated $2,500 to HER Sports, with the hope of continuing to support its mission in the future.

Additionally, CavFutures has participated in various other sports clinics in conjunction with HER Sports. This past Monday, the UVA Women’s Basketball Team, as well as fifteen student-athletes on the UVA Football Team, helped run a Flag Football Clinic for HER Sports. Events such as this one are integral to the mission of HER Sports. Booth explains, “It’s amazing to see these young girls grow their confidence through athletics, especially in a traditionally male sport like football.”

This was the second Flag Football Clinic that CavFutures participated in, the first of which was held in December, and included ten of the UVA football players. Having both football and basketball players at the clinic was a meaningful experience for the student-athletes, as well as the HER Sports athletes. Booth further illustrates, “I think it was really special to have both our Football and Women’s Basketball student-athletes there, the combination of role models both in football and women’s sports are really valuable to these young girls as they learn to play and compete.”

CavFutures Foundation Partners with Game Plan

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:58:32 GMT

Enhancing the resources available to UVA student-athletes.

Via Game Plan

Charlottesville, VA - CavFutures Foundation has partnered with Game Plan to connect University of Virginia student-athletes with education and career development resources.

This partnership complements the CavFutures Foundation mission of providing educational programming related to personal growth and development, mental health advocacy, financial literacy, personal and professional branding and more to the Cavaliers.

“CavFutures Foundation will give UVA student-athletes access to a network that will allow them to thrive long after they take off their athletic uniforms”

- Executive Director Cav Futures Foundation, Lo Davis

Game Plan’s financial literacy, mental wellness, and professional development curricula will provide immediate value to the Hoos as CavFutures Foundation builds custom curriculum in the Game Plan platform. The Foundation will also utilize Game Plan’s branded career and mentorship solution to support student-athletes career development and preparation for life after sport.

“Game Plan is thrilled to partner with the CavFutures Foundation because we recognize them as a leader in values-based Name, Image & Likeness programming,” states Ted White, Game Plan’s Vice President of Collegiate Partnerships. “Everything they do is designed to help student-athletes make educated decisions and build long-lasting relationships through high-impact experiences.”

Game Plan is looking forward to our partnership with the CavFutures Foundation and can’t wait to see what’s to come for them as a partner.

About Game Plan

Game Plan is the leading provider of athlete development software in the country. 875+ athletic organizations leverage Game Plan’s suite of learning, career, and analytics products to create cultures of team engagement and support for their athletes. With over 240,000 courses completed annually, our comprehensive eLearning courses equip both athletics departments and conference offices with management and insight tools to ensure outstanding experiences and outcomes with an unmatched accessibility. To learn more about Game Plan, please visit wearegameplan.com .

CavFutures Announce CavFutures Foundation

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 20:09:37 GMT

Charlottesville, VA – CavFutures, the NIL (Name Image and Likeness) collective supporting University of Virginia student athletes has announced the launch of CavFutures Foundation (CFF). CavFutures Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that will serve 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.

CavFutures Foundation is a registered non-profit with the IRS and all donations are tax deductible. Funding will be used to provide educational programming as well as personal and career development opportunities. CFF also recognizes the immense pressure student-athletes face and will be introducing new mental health resources to support UVA student athletes throughout their time while on Grounds and beyond. Contributions will also assist in expanding NIL opportunities for all UVA athletic programs and give today’s Cavaliers the chance to leverage their personal platforms in support of local, state and nationwide charities. Ultimately, the mission is to prepare student-athletes to leave Grounds with confidence, connections, and a strong foundation for their future.

“This is about more than just bringing NIL opportunities to Charlottesville. This foundation will allow us to provide essential programming and support as we help student-athletes to leave their own legacy here.” According to CavFutures Executive Director Lo Davis. Davis will also serve as the executive director of the foundation.

“It’s no secret that student-athletes are drawn to the University of Virginia for the quality of education and community here. With the CFF in place, we can really enhance their experience and make sure our Hoos get the most out of their time in Charlottesville,” added Director of Marketing and Athlete Engagement Maddie Walsh. Walsh will also work closely with both the collective and foundation.

If you would like more information or make a donation to support CavFutures Foundations please go to www.cavscare.com . For additional questions, please email us at info@cavscare.com . All funds raised through the foundation will strictly be used for CFF. All other inquiries for the NIL marketplace can be directed to www.cavfutures.com . CavFutures and CavFutures Foundation operate as two separate entities. Thank you for your support of UVA NIL and donate today!