Special Grant Will Fund Living Laboratory
Virginia United Methodist Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant to Statewide Nonprofit Shineforth Child & Family Services
The Virginia United Methodist Foundation (VAUMF) has awarded a $50,000 program grant to fund an independent-living learning space for youth who receive services at Shineforth Child & Family Services. The independent-living “laboratory” will benefit K-12 students who attend specialized day school, youth who receive residential treatment, teens in foster care, and young adults who are aging out of foster care.
The $50,000 gift to Shineforth is by far the Virginia United Methodist Foundation’s largest investment in a single organization. Since the Foundation began awarding grants annually in 2013, it’s routinely dispersed $50,000-$80,000 divided among 20-25 organizations per grant cycle. Previously, the largest individual grant had been $5,000.
“Shineforth is deeply grateful to the Virginia United Methodist Foundation’s for its generous gift,” said Shineforth President & CEO Nancy Toscano, Ph.D., LCSW. “The Foundation’s support will have far-reaching impacts across multiple programs and provide invaluable learning opportunities for youth who are preparing for adulthood and independent living.”
The independent-living laboratory will be built inside Charterhouse School on Shineforth’s historic Richmond campus and is expected to be ready for the 2027-28 academic year. The space will include a full kitchen, washing machine and dryer, iron and ironing board, and a furnished dining and living room.
“We are thrilled to partner with Shineforth to launch this living laboratory, a hands-on learning environment where youth aging out of foster care gain the practical skills and confidence they need to thrive as adults,” said the Rev. Dr. Steven J. Summers, VAUMF president & CEO. “Together with Shineforth’s trusted history of championing children and families, we’re building a stronger foundation for lifelong success.”
The VAUMF’s Micah 6:8/No Harm Do Good Endowment grant will be administered to Shineforth over two years in $25,000 installments. Shineforth plans to invite individual donors to match the grant, which will raise the total impact of the gift to $100,000.
“Our vision for the independent living space is to connect young people to the experiences they’re going to face when they go out into the world,” Toscano said. “The Virginia United Methodist Foundation is graciously supporting our vision to strengthen humanity, one child at a time. We hope others in the community will join us, as well.”
The VAUMF’s Micah grant was made possible by the Rev. Rosemary Welch, a retired United Methodist pastor.
“My heart and soul are so very warmed to see how the Micah grant is being used to sustain and enlarge such ministry as Shineforth and to support the UMC in nurturing and caring for God’s children,” Rev. Welch said. “This is beyond my wildest dreams! God places in our sight the continual hand of the healing Christ through ministries of the UMC worldwide. Dream big, share resources generously and trust that lives will be touched by the merciful and strong hand of Christ!”
About the Virginia United Methodist Foundation
Virginia United Methodist Foundation (VAUMF) serves local United Methodist churches in their efforts to expand programs and ministries through planned giving and endowment funds. The Foundation also invests monies for local churches in accordance with the socially responsible investing principles of the United Methodist Book of Discipline. The Foundation has provided $900,000 in annual grants since 2013 to support ministries and projects within the Virginia United Methodist Conference (VAUMC). The Virginia United Methodist Foundation accepts donations to its grants fund year-round.
About Shineforth Child & Family Services
Shineforth has operated at same location in Richmond since our founding in 1900 by the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Church. Today, we’re a statewide nonprofit with eight locations across the Commonwealth. We offer more than a dozen partnerships, programs, and services, including foster care and adoption, specialized day school, and residential treatment for youth.
Our mission is to be the unwavering champion that every child deserves, and our vision is to strengthen Humanity, one child at a time.
