CarMax Foundation aids youths through grants

The CarMax Foundation has awarded $40,000 in grants to Richmond-area nonprofit organizations for programs that focus on education and youth leadership.

"Each of these will have a strong impact on the community and make a huge difference," said Dodie Fix, president of the CarMax Foundation and assistant vice president of procurement. "We're proud to be a part of them."

The foundation awarded more than 90 grants throughout the country last year, Fix said.

Richmond-area grant recipients include:

• Children's Health Involving Parents -- $10,000 for the School Readiness program. CHIP of Greater Richmond works with the whole family to prepare the child and parents for enrollment in school, while working to remove barriers that may prevent the child from regularly attending.

• St. Joseph's Villa -- $10,000 for the Children's Services for Homeless Families program. The program has three main components: literacy, parental engagement, and mentorship and tutoring.

• Boys and Girls Club of Metro Richmond -- $5,000 for after-school programs at the Southside Unit on Bainbridge Street.

• Chattering Children -- $5,000 to the financial-assistance program for specialized therapy for children ages 5 weeks to 10 years with severe hearing loss. The organization also trains parents to help develop age-appropriate communication and literacy.

• Communities in Schools of Richmond -- $5,000 for the Richmond Full Service Middle Schools. CIS tailors resources for students most likely to drop out of school, so that they can achieve academically.

• Jacob's Ladder -- $5,000 for the Summer Enrichment Camp. This monthlong camp provides an academic environment, art studio and sports facilities for at-risk youth who have been identified as academically or intellectually gifted. The organization also works with their families on financial planning for higher education.

  . . .

Now is the time for nonprofit organizations and community leaders to make nominations for Philanthropist of the Year awards from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Nominations are due by June 2 for the awards, which will be presented on National Philanthropy Day in November. The central Virginia celebration is one of the larger in the nation, with more than 800 attendees in 2007.

Categories include Corporate, Foundation, Individual and Youth Philanthropist of the Year; Volunteer of the Year; Lifetime Achievement Award; and, for unique and inspiring contributions that don't fit in the other categories, the Spirit of Giving Award.

For details, call (804) 756-1793 or e-mail .

Contact Katherine Calos at (804) 649-6433 or .