The directors of the Piedmont Community Foundation (PCF) are pleased to announce the 2007 grant awards from the Foundation's first competitive grant cycle of the community grants program.

A $500 grant was awarded to The Mosby Heritage Area Association (MHAA) from the Peter M. Howard Memorial Fund; grant purpose is to assist with funding for printing of a circuit tour of the Mosby Heritage Area. The Fund with annual grantmaking capability was created as a memorial endowment by the Howard family in June of 2005. Gayle DeLashmut, President of MHAA said, "As you know, Peter was a former Board Member and supporter of the MHAA and its educational mission. That makes the MHAA very proud to be the first recipient awarded funding from his memorial fund restricted for preservation of open space and historic properties."

The PCF community grant program has six areas of funding interest. The Culture and Arts interest area was chosen to accept grant applications this year because other PCF fund sources have not yet impacted this area. While growth evolves in the Foundation's endowed Community Fund the six funding areas will rotate annually until there are adequate funds to offer competitive grant opportunities in each area every year.

A $500 grant was awarded to The Loudoun Literacy Council for support of the newly formed Literacy Symposium to better coordinate and meet the needs of Loudoun County citizens who have English as a second language. The Foundation's published guidelines for the Culture and Arts area of interest "seek to support programs and organizations that enhance our cultural understanding and provide experiences that improve our sense of community."

The grant was awarded for the new and unique symposium which broadens accessibility for area residents to participate in literacy enrichment programs which unite us in speaking and reading a common language, English. The PCF directors found two other exceptionally meritorious grant requests and voted to provide additional grant funds from the PCF unrestricted general fund.

A $500 grant was awarded to The Community Music School of the Piedmont in Upperville to assist in providing student scholarships to expand access to high quality music education and performance opportunities for students who might not otherwise have been afforded this possibility.

A $500 grant was awarded to the Round Hill Arts Center to provide collaborative funds with the Town of Round Hill and the Virginia Commission for the Arts in staging Round Hill's Fourth Annual Hometown Festival. The activity strengthens the community through arts-related programming while highlighting the richness of talent that exists in Loudoun County.