History

of the Virginia Community Foundation

The full history of the Virginia community Foundation began with a walk around Baileys Lake. Two local residents, one being Marieta Johnson, were taken by the amount of debris around the lake. This prompted Marieta Johnson to later apply for and receive a $500 grant for the first Bailys Lake clean-up event. In 1990, a small group of local residents began discussing the possibility of building, what was coined early on as, a community “savings account”, that would provide resources for community projects in Virginia. With initial funding from the City of Virginia, the Virginia Community Foundation was established as a fund of the Northland Foundation.

1991: First memorial gifts were given to the foundation, on behalf of Bev Bonner, Virginia resident and board member.
1992: Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board committed to a $50,000 challenge grant.; The foundation’s first grants were given to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Virginia Key Club, and the Oldtown/Fintown Group.
1997: Combined estates of Wesley and Hartley Koski, valued at $1,050,000, were donated to the Virginia Community Foundation.; The Board of Directors hired a part-time Executive Director with support from Northland Foundation.; First Turn on Your Lights Campaign held.
2001: With support from the Northland Foundation, the foundation was established as a 501c (3) public charity as an independent community foundation.; Opened a storefront location at 519 Chestnut Street. This space continues to be generously donated by Northern State Bank; First annual Golf Tournament was held; The Blue Pride Fund, the first named fund of the Virginia Community Foundation, was established. Contributions to the Blue Pride Fund go specifically to maintain and support co-curricular activities, as defined by the Minnesota State High School League.
2003: The Board of Directors hired a part-time Administrative Assistant; The Virginia Public Library Fund was established to support literature and learning through assistance to the Virginia Public Library, with capital projects, materials and programming.
2005: A private donor announced a matching gift of up to $100,000 for the unrestricted endowment.
2006: Volunteer Excellence Award was presented to the Virginia Community Foundation for outstanding service to our region through its dedication to building the health and vitality of our community.
2007: The Foundation received National Standards designation for community foundations. This designation is awarded to foundations that meet rigorous standards in philanthropy for operational quality, donor services and accountability.; The Virginia Educational Fund was established to create community connections to the classroom, to enhance available resources, to enrich experiences, and to provide the best educational opportunities for all students in Virginia Public Schools.
2008: Mesabi Range Youth For Christ Fund was established to support ongoing ministry to area youth.; The Foundation developed a Special Initiative to encourage reinvestment in the downtown by establishing two non-endowed funds. As non-endowed funds, gifts to the Downtown Revitalization Fund and the Virginia Mural Fund are available for current needs.; Virginia’s first mural featuring community icons, Hartley and Wesley Koski, was installed in the 100 block north area of Second Avenue. The second mural, featuring Marty Biondich, will be installed summer, 2009, and work on the third mural has also begun.; The Foundation sponsored the Great Virginia Get-Together. Led by volunteers, this all-community and all-class reunion brought thousands of current and former residents together to celebrate the Virginia community.
2009: A Fund for the Arts, with funds from P&H Mining Equipment, was established to support arts and culture in the greater Virginia, Minnesota area.