Community Foundation Marks 30 Years of Giving

The Danville-based foundation celebrated its three-decade milestone at an appreciation luncheon honoring its first major donor.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy

Wide view of a red-brick civic building on a slope above a wooded river bend, framed by bare sycamore branches in late autumn light. — The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region marked 30 years of giving at a Nov. 4 luncheon, having awarded more than $32 million in grants since 1996. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Community Foundation of the Dan River Region celebrated 30 years of giving at an appreciation luncheon on Nov. 4 at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. The foundation has awarded more than $32 million in grants since it was founded in 1996.

Why it matters

The milestone highlights how a community-based foundation has grown its assets and giving over three decades, with contributions and net assets rising sharply in the most recent fiscal year. For Danville and the surrounding Dan River Region, the growth points to expanding local resources for grants and scholarships.

Contributions rose to nearly $11.7 million from about $3.8 million the prior year, while net assets climbed to approximately $98.2 million from $75.5 million. The foundation also established 17 new funds during the fiscal year ended June 30.

The players

Community Foundation of the Dan River Region

A community foundation founded in 1996 that manages charitable funds and awards grants and scholarships across the Dan River Region.

The Womack Foundation

A philanthropic organization whose $10,000 gift was the Community Foundation's first donation and helped launch its early work.

Charles A. Womack III

Grandson of Womack Foundation founder Charles Womack Sr., who was recognized by attendees at the anniversary luncheon.

Dan Hayes

Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the Dan River Region, who described its history at the anniversary event.

The details

Executive Director Dan Hayes recounted the foundation's early history at the luncheon and recognized The Womack Foundation's $10,000 gift, the organization's first donation, which came after founders lacked money even for stationery. Charles A. Womack III, grandson of Womack Foundation founder Charles Womack Sr., was applauded by attendees during the event.

1996: Community Foundation of the Dan River Region is founded.
June 30: End of the fiscal year in which 17 new funds were established.
Nov. 4: 30th anniversary appreciation luncheon held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Season Trajectory

Community foundations pool gifts from local donors to fund regional needs, and the Dan River Region's foundation shows that model's long-term growth from a single founding gift. Its 30-year record of more than $32 million in grants places it among sustained local philanthropic institutions in Virginia.

The foundation plans to award more than $1.8 million in grants and more than $400,000 in scholarships in the current fiscal year. Local nonprofits and students in the Dan River Region may seek these funds through the foundation's grantmaking process.

The takeaway

Sustained local giving can compound over decades, turning a modest founding gift into a major community resource. Residents who want to support regional needs can consider contributing to a community foundation's funds.