The VRA Foundation has provided educational scholarships to VRA members and its family members in an amount totaling $12,600 since 1987. The VRA Board originally added funds to the Foundation account to achieve a $10,000 level and endowed it. VRA now contributes 5% of its profits from the Collaborations Conference to continue building the Foundation endowment account. Donations are also accepted ongoing further increasing the endowment. Please make contributions payable to the VRA Foundation, c/o Mary Kaye Johnston, 4612 Kingsrow Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

Applications are accepted annually from members and families of members and scholarships are awarded based upon the interest of the endowment account. The more we add to the account, the greater the scholarship awards! Watch the VRA website for announcements regarding the call for applications.

2007 Awards were made to the following recipients: Frances Smith, member and wife of Jack Smith; Alex Pope, son of Annette Pope; Chris and William Lyons, sons of Shirley Lyons. Congratulations to all these students and best wishes for a great academic year 2007-2008.

Comments from previous and current scholarship recipients are posted below.

Comments from Foundation Award Recipients

History of the Virginia Rehabilitation Foundation

The Virginia Rehabilitation Association created the Grant-in-Aid Program with the establishment of an endowment fund in 1985 with an amount of $1,000. Fund raising began. Contributions continued to enhance the fund until by action of the September 1988 VRA Board the endowment was topped off at $10,000 from VRA general funds. All funds received after that is an addition to the endowment.

The committee began to administer the program in the academic year of 1988-89 and continued under the direction of the VRA Board until the Foundation was incorporated in 1992. Donations in honor and in memory are accepted for responses to family and friends.

By action of the VRA Board in September 1988 the committee is to refrain from soliciting VRA exhibitors and advertisers, but to continue a low-key annual drive of the VRA Board and the Chapter membership.

Mission of the Foundation

The mission of the Foundation is to increase excellence in personal living and upward mobility of members of the Virginia Rehabilitation Association through educational assistance as they provide advocacy for the disabled population of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Governance

The Board of Trustees as appointed by the Virginia Rehabilitation Association governs the Foundation. The organization consists of three officers and four additional members who are elected for rotating terms of service.

Funding

The Board of Trustees is responsible for an annual low key event to solicit the VRA Board and its membership toward increasing the endowment. In 1998, the Foundation Board members were given a financial challenge, which they met. In 1999 and 2000, the Board was given a $500 challenge for the Board and the VRA membership. These challenges were met. The largest major gift to date came in 1999 when the Miss Wheelchair Virginia Pageant decided to forgo the incorporated status and close down. The entire treasury of $2,433.56 was donated to the Foundation. Donations may be made payable to the VRA Foundation and mailed to the following address:

• ATT: Mary Kaye Johnston
  4612 Kingsrow Drive
  Glen Allen, VA 23060

Between 1988 and 2000, the Foundation provided scholarships to VRA members, spouses and children totaling $7,325.

Eligibility

Persons eligible to receive aid are VRA members in good standing, a child or spouse of member. Applications and criteria may be obtained from any VRA Foundation Board member.