Cav Futures Foundation’s “Champions of the Community” Program Awarded $130,000+ in Grants to Local Nonprofits

Learn how the Cav Futures Foundation launched the “Champions of the Community” program, connecting UVA student-athletes with local nonprofits and distributing over $130,000 in grants to support impactful initiatives in the Charlottesville area.

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Overview

In 2024, the Cav Futures Foundation, in partnership with the Weinberg Family Foundation, launched the “Champions of the Community” program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to give back to the Charlottesville community.

The program provided grant funding to 13 local nonprofit organizations, fostering a unique connection between UVA student-athletes and the community. By supporting these nonprofits, the program aimed to deepen their impact and strengthen the bond between UVA sports programs and the Charlottesville area.

Our agency partnered with Cav Futures to bring this initiative to life, managing everything from the program’s timeline and messaging to its launch event and press outreach. The result? A successful first year that distributed over $130,000 in grants and established a strong foundation for future community impact.

Our Roles

Web Design, Email Campaigns, Event Advertising, Press Releases, Media Outreach

Our Approach

Strategic Planning and Timeline Development: We worked closely with Cav Futures to create a detailed timeline for the program’s launch, ensuring every milestone was met on schedule.

Website and Forms Creation: To streamline the application process, we developed a user-friendly website and forms, making it easy for nonprofits to apply for funding and stay informed about the program.

Community Messaging and Email Outreach: We crafted clear and compelling messaging to introduce the program to the Charlottesville community. This included email campaigns to collect and share data, ensuring the program reached the right audience.

Launch Event Coordination: The program’s launch was marked by a high-profile event that brought together UVA student-athletes, nonprofit leaders, and community members to celebrate the initiative.

Press Releases and Media Outreach: To maximize visibility, we managed press releases and media contacts, ensuring the program received widespread coverage and recognition.

Anne Flinn Advertising served as our agency of record for our launch in March 2024. Their support was pivotal in refining and strengthening our marketing strategy. They were a key component of the successful launch of our Champions of the Community project this spring, and bring dynamic energy and diligent effort to every project.

Lo Davis Executive Director at CavFutures Foundation
Results

The “Champions of the Community” program delivered exceptional results in its first year:

  • $130,000+ in Grants Awarded: Funding was distributed to 13 local nonprofit organizations, supporting impactful initiatives across the Charlottesville area.
  • Community Impact: The program connected UVA student-athletes with nonprofits, fostering meaningful relationships and amplifying the work of these organizations.
  • Nonprofit Recipients: Grant recipients included:
    • Albemarle Foundation for Education
    • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge
    • 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
    • Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
    • Stepping Stone Charlottesville
    • The Yellow Door Foundation

By combining strategic planning, community engagement, and effective promotion, the Cav Futures Foundation’s “Champions of the Community” program successfully launched a new era of collaboration between UVA sports programs and the Charlottesville community.

$130,000+ Grants Awarded
Cav website