The full history of the Virginia Community Foundation begins 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 Baileys Lake clean-up event. Years later, while working for the Northland Foundation, Marieta Johnson learned that the Northland Foundation would provide administrative support for the City of Virginia to establish its own community foundation.

In September 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 flexible resources for community projects in Virginia. The group first needed to obtain a $100,000 commitment from the City of Virginia in order to receive a $20,000 grant, technical assistance and administrative support from the Northland Foundation. A unanimous vote by the Virginia City Council to donate $100,000, over the course of two years, got the foundation off and running.

By 1991, the foundation had approximately $77,276 in cash, which included half of the gift from the City of Virginia, the grant from the Northland Foundation, gifts from board members, and memorials given on behalf of Bev Bonner, a resident and board member.

In 1992, the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board committed to a $50,000 challenge grant. Every dollar raised after February 3, 1992, would be matched up to $50,000. This was matched by December 1993, leaving the foundation with total contributions in excess of $230,000.

The foundation's first grants were made in June of 1992. The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts received a grant of $2,500 for materials to build picnic tables to be located in community parks; the Virginia Key Club received a grant of $200 for materials to paint the clock on main street; and the Oldtown/Fintown Committee received a grant of $200 for an informational sign near the Virginia Mineview.

In December 1993, the Virginia Foundation received a $20,000 gift named for Hartley Koski's family, which was in support of Virginia's downtown, parks and lakes. Hartley made additional gifts in 1994, 1995 and upon his death in February of 1997. At his death, Hartely left his entire estate, estimated at $1,050,000, to the Virginia Foundation.

This donation was a result of an agreement he made with his brother, Wesley, years before. Because Hartley and Wesley thought very highly about the community they were raised in, they decided at the death of the second of them, their combined estates would be donated to the back to their community.

In June of 1997, the Board of Directors hired a part-time Executive Director with support from the Northland Foundation.

In September 1997, the Board of Directors held their first Turn On Your Lights Campaign. The event calls upon the community to make donations to the community foundation. In the beginning, every house with a light on was approached for a donation. This event raised over $5,000 its first year and has been held annually. In 2004, the total funds raised exceeded $20,000.

In 2000, the foundation began the process to become a standalone foundation seperate from the Northland Foundation. This process was completed on January 1, 2001, when the Virginia Community Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.

In January 2001, the foundation opened a storefront location at 519 Chestnut Street. The space continues to be generously donated by Northern State Bank of Virginia.

The first annual Golf Tournament was held in June 2001, yielding $5,400. Major sponsors for the tournament included Iron Range Rehabilitation Center in 2002 and Coca Cola Bottling of Virginia in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Total grants to the community exceeded $273,000 in 2003 after the Virginia Community Foundation gave a special grant to the community to bring the Minnesota Ballet to the Goodman Auditorium. The public was invited to attend with the option of making a free will offering. The ballet company also worked with children in the elementary, junior and senior high schools.

Click here to see the grant history.

In response to a growing need in the community, the Blue Pride Fund was established in July 2001. As the first designated fund of the Virginia Community Foundation, contributions to the Blue Pride Fund go specifically to maintain and support co-curricular activities, as defined by the Minnesota State High School League, at the Virginia School District. Seventy percent of each contribution goes into a permanent endowment fund and the remaining 30 percent of each gift is available to maintain current activities and sustain the fund.

The Friends of the Library Fund was established to support literature and learning through the Virginia Public Library. Contributions ensure that future generations will benefit from the enrichment and values provided through literature and communication at the Virginia Public Library.  The name of the fund as been changed to the Virginia Public Library Fund to more closely reflect the purpose of the fund.

In October, 2005, a private donor announced a matching gift of up to $100,000 for the unrestricted endowment.  The foundation was given until October, 2006 to raise $100,000 to receive the full match. 

In January, 2006, St Louis County Board Chair, Keith Nelson, presented the Volunteer Excellence Award to the Virginia Community Foundation for oustanding service to our region though its dedication to building the health and vitality of our community. 

In October, 2006, Board Chair, Erik Peterson, announced that the foundation raised $100,000 for the unrestricted endowment and received the full $100,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor.

 

 In 2007, the foundation received National Standards designation for community foundations.  Confirmation was received from the Council on Foundations that the Virginia Community Foundation met the most rigorous standards in philanthropy for operational quality, donor services and accountability.

 The history of the Virginia Community Foundation is still being written and will forever remain a place where people, who care about Virginia as a whole, can invest in its future. The endowment now exceeds $2,000,000, with a goal to increase the endowment to $5,000,000 by 2010.

To make a donation, please click here.