$300,000 awarded to 35 nonprofits advancing innovation, resilience, and community impact across the region
Fredericksburg, VA December 17, 2025 — Amazon, in collaboration with The Community Foundation, proudly announces the 2025 recipients of the Amazon Rappahannock Region Community Fund. The fund awarded $300,000 to 35 nonprofits and community-based organizations whose work strengthens innovation, inclusion, and resilience across Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline, and Louisa Counties, as well as the greater Rappahannock region.
The Amazon Rappahannock Region Community Fund supports mission-driven organizations that are creating meaningful, community-informed solutions. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 were awarded to programs aligned with the fund’s core focus areas: STEM education, sustainability and environment, community development, digital skills, cultural heritage preservation, and health and wellbeing.
“The organizations receiving support through the Amazon Rappahannock Region Community Fund represent the heart of what makes this region strong—neighbors stepping up to solve challenges and build a more resilient future together,” said Lisa Schooley, Community Engagement Manager at Amazon. “We’re honored to support their efforts and grateful for our partnership with The Community Foundation in amplifying the work of these local changemakers.”
“The Amazon Rappahannock Region Community Fund reflects a shared commitment to lifting up local organizations taking on the region’s biggest challenges with creativity and heart,” said Casey Hu, Director of Donor Services at The Community Foundation. “This year’s recipients represent the very best of what can happen when innovation and community come together.”
2025 Grant Recipients
Below is the complete list of grantees, including project names and custom-written descriptions.
10-7 Farms
Growing Healthy-Lifestyles: Youth Led Hydroponics Launches school-based indoor hydroponic labs where students grow produce year-round while applying STEM skills, promoting healthy eating, and supporting school meal programs.
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington
2025 Autism Assessment for Children and Adults at Catholic Charities Family Services, South Region Establishes a comprehensive, low-cost autism assessment program providing evidence-based evaluations for underserved individuals.
Central Rappahannock Habitat for Humanity
Homebuyer Program Supports the construction of nine affordable homes in the South Village community, helping local families achieve stable homeownership.
Cyber Bytes Foundation
AI Mobile Unit Brings mobile AI training to schools, teachers, and adult learners, expanding access to AI literacy, certification, and workforce skills across the region.
FailSafe-ERA
Sounding the Alarm on Youth Violence Delivers violence-prevention and workforce-readiness programs for at-risk youth and families, providing skills, support, and pathways that help break cycles of violence and incarceration.
Fluvanna-Louisa Housing Foundation
Essential Home Repairs Provides essential home repair assistance to low-income seniors and disabled residents in Louisa County, reducing repair costs and improving safe, livable housing.
Fredericksburg Area Health and Support Services
Mental Health Access for the Uninsured Expands access to free in-person and telehealth counseling for uninsured, low-income, and LGBTQ+ adults, providing 100 therapy sessions to reduce barriers to timely mental health care.
Fredericksburg Free Press
Find the Facts Program: Enhancing Digital Literacy Education for Youth in Journalism Launches a youth-focused digital media literacy and journalism program, offering training, workshops, and storytelling opportunities to help students fact-check, report, and create trustworthy multimedia content.
Friends of the Rappahannock
Integrating Environmental Literacy into Career Exploration Introduces 9th-grade students to environmental literacy and green career pathways through teacher stipends, classroom lessons, outdoor field experiences, and partner-supported action projects.
GAD Youth Center
2026 Spring Break Workshops Provides structured spring break workshops for middle school youth, offering skill-building, mentorship, and safe enrichment opportunities for students ages 12–16.
Germanna Community College Educational Foundation
Medical Supplies and Materials for the Robert C. O’Neill Wellness Clinic Supplies a new free wellness clinic with essential medical materials, enabling supervised student-led preventive care for uninsured and underinsured community members.
Girls on the Run Piedmont
Path to Possibility Expands after-school programs that build confidence, leadership, and emotional wellness for girls through physical activity and mentorship.
Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation
CPR & AED Training Program Expands free and accessible CPR and AED training sessions to equip residents with lifesaving emergency response skills.
Loisann’s Hope House
Eviction Prevention Program Strengthens support for families at risk of homelessness through emergency financial assistance and housing stability services.
Louisa Area Students Education Robotics
STEAM Expanding – Launching High School Robotics Expands STEAM access by launching an open-door high school robotics program with camps and competitive teams to build skills, confidence, and pathways to technical careers.
Louisa ArtsCenter
Mobile Arts Outreach Program Support 2026 Delivers free, mobile, pop-up art experiences to children and families across Louisa County, expanding access to creative opportunities in under-resourced areas.
Louisa County
Lake Anna Advisory Committee Regulatory and Hazard Buoy Maintenance Program Maintains Lake Anna’s regulatory and hazard buoys to ensure safe navigation, replacing and refurbishing markers that alert boaters to underwater hazards and bridge wake risks.
Louisa County Historical Society
Increasing Access: Archive Digitalization in Louisa County Advances archival projects, public history programs, and preservation of cultural sites central to the county’s heritage.
Louisa County Public Schools
One Book, One Louisa: A Community-Wide Reading Initiative Provides a shared PK–5 reading experience by giving every child and family the same high-quality book, fostering community-wide literacy and a culture of reading.
Louisa Education Foundation
Supplies for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student Success The Louisa Education Foundation equips CTE students with the tools and financial support they need to fully participate in high-demand career pathways. With deep partnerships across Louisa County Public Schools, the Foundation is expanding equitable access to workforce-ready education. As demand grows ahead of the new CTE Center opening in 2027, the Foundation ensures every student can access high-skill, high-wage career opportunities.
Louisa Forward Foundation
Leadership Louisa 2026 – 5th Anniversary Expands a six-month leadership program in Louisa County with scholarships and an alumni council, building community leadership skills through expert-led sessions and action projects.
Louisa Scout Troop 3
Expansion of Scout Hut for Troop 3, Troop 1003, and Pack 183 Expands the Louisa Scout Hut with ADA access, restrooms, and flexible meeting space to better serve over 130 youth and their families across local Scouting programs.
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg
MHAfred HELPLINE Directory Expansion Project 2026 Expands a free, user-friendly mental health provider directory to include more counties, increasing access to up-to-date services, specialties, and appointment options for the community.
S.E.R.V.E. (Stafford Emergency Relief through Volunteer Efforts)
2025 Health & Wellness Days Funds a yearlong wellness series offering health screenings, nutrition education, and community resource connections.
Rappahannock Area YMCA
Community–Driven Solutions for Preventative Care via YMCA Health & Wellbeing Initiative Expands the YMCA’s whole-person health initiative, increasing access to physical activity, disease prevention, and mental wellness programs for community members.
Servants At Work (SAWs) Virginia
Virginia Home Accessibility Program Constructs custom wheelchair ramps for low-income residents, improving accessibility and independence for individuals with mobility challenges.
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Building Cyber Skills Covers CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certification exam costs so high school students can graduate with industry-recognized cybersecurity credentials and career-ready skills.
Microscopes for Middle School STEM Success Provides new microscopes for Spotsylvania County middle schools, revitalizing hands-on STEM learning and replacing outdated or broken science equipment.
Treasure House Provides free hygiene items, school supplies, food, and laundry support to strengthen family engagement and remove barriers for students through the centrally located Treasure House resource center.
Spreading Smiles
Buddy Bags: Weekend Meals for Local Kids Provides nutritious weekend meals to children experiencing food insecurity, ensuring consistent access to healthy food.
Stafford County Public Schools
GMS Makers in Motion 25-26 Expands hands-on STEM learning at Gayle Middle School through makerspace programs, including a service-focused Makers on a Mission initiative and a student-led Drone Club.
Stafford County Public School: Kilroy Robotics
FIRST Robotics Competition Team 339 Kilroy Robotics 2026 Season Supports a competitive high school robotics team that provides real-world engineering experience, technical skills, mentorship, and community STEM outreach during the 2026 season.
Tri County City Soil and Water Conservation District
2025 Agricultural Field Trips Covers transportation for elementary students to agricultural field trips, helping them learn about local farming, plant growth, and Virginia’s agricultural products.
Virginia Tech Foundation
Virginia Cooperative Extension Community-based Diabetes Lifestyle Management Program Delivers diabetes management and fitness programs in Louisa and Spotsylvania, helping participants improve blood glucose control through education and increased physical activity.
Virginia Tech Foundation fbo Spotsylvania County 4-H Program
2025 Spotsylvania County 4-H Program Monthly Agriculture in the Classroom Program Delivers monthly, hands-on agriculture lessons that build agricultural literacy, connect students to local food systems, and inspire STEM and environmental stewardship.
Wyatt’s Closet
School Needs Closets Initiative – Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Caroline Counties Supplies children with new clothing, shoes, and school essentials to support dignity, comfort, and confidence.
UMW Foundation
Project IGNITE Expands UMW’s Project IGNITE to deliver immersive STEM and CTE experiences using AI, AR/VR, and makerspace technology for rural and underserved middle and high school students.
A Region United by Innovation and Community Strength
The 2025 grantee cohort reflects the diverse needs and opportunities across the Rappahannock region. From digital equity and workforce development, to youth programming, environmental stewardship, mental health support, and historic preservation, each award recipient is advancing meaningful work that strengthens the fabric of local communities.
Amazon and The Community Foundation will celebrate the awardees at a community-wide recognition event on February 5th, honoring the organizations whose dedication and vision are driving progress throughout the region.
Nonprofits and community groups can learn more about the Amazon Rappahannock Region Community Fund by visiting cfrrr.org/apply.
For questions or additional information, contact Jamee Rodgers, PhD., CEO, at [email protected] or 540-373-9292 x120.