Second quarter grant awards reflect broad investments across Martinsville-Henry County
Martinsville, Va. — The Harvest Foundation’s Board of Directors approved six grants totaling more than $2.5 million to support education, workforce development, cultural preservation, community health, and civic infrastructure across Martinsville-Henry County for the second quarter of 2026.
Recipients include the Fayette Area Historical Initiative, Cardinal News, the County of Henry, the Patrick & Henry Community College Foundation, MHC Partners for Children (a program of United Way of Henry County & Martinsville), and the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board.
“These investments reflect our belief that a truly vibrant community is built from many directions at once; through the stories we tell about ourselves, the opportunities we create for our young people, the spaces we make accessible to everyone, and the foundation we lay for our community’s future,” said Kate Keller, president of The Harvest Foundation. “The organizations receiving these funds know what MHC needs, and they show up each and every day to do the hard, meaningful work of making our community stronger.”
Listing of 2026-Q2 Grants
Fayette Area Historical Initiative — $191,150
A three-year grant of $191,150 to the Fayette Area Historical Initiative (FAHI) will support the organization’s continued growth and long-term sustainability. Funding will focus on strengthening organizational capacity through support for leadership, board development, financial management systems, and select museum programming. FAHI is the only museum in the region dedicated to preserving the history of the Fayette community and local African American heritage.
Cardinal News (Cardinal Productions) — $300,000
A three-year, $300,000 grant to Cardinal News will fund a dedicated local reporter serving the Martinsville-Henry County community. Cardinal News is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization whose mission is to report untold stories and amplify underrepresented voices across Southwest and Southside Virginia. Their work goes beyond news coverage. Cardinal News has driven real change, informing legislation, surfacing community solutions, and giving residents the information they need to advocate for themselves and their neighbors. The grant supports Cardinal News’s commitment to enterprise and accountability journalism.
County of Henry — $100,350
A dollar-for-dollar matching grant of $100,350 to Henry County will support construction of the Bassett ADA Accessible Fishing Platform along the Smith River. The project will create an ADA-compliant fishing dock open to individuals with mobility challenges, expanding equitable access to one of the Commonwealth’s premier trout fisheries. The platform is a component of the broader Bassett Beautification initiative.
Patrick & Henry Community College Foundation — $802,750
A three-year grant of $802,750 to the Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) Foundation will support the establishment of a paid internship program connecting local students with area employers. By layering Harvest funds with support from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s InternshipsVA initiative and employer contributions, the program aims to place 100 interns over three years in fields such as advanced manufacturing and healthcare. A full-time Coordinator of Work-Based Learning will manage employer relationships, student preparation, and program outcomes.
United Way of Henry County & Martinsville (MHC Partners for Children) — $952,750
A three-year grant of $952,750 to MHC Partners for Children, a program of United Way of Henry County & Martinsville, will continue supporting early childhood education across the region. Funding will support kindergarten readiness initiatives, family navigation services, and literacy programs.
West Piedmont Workforce Development Board — $187,500
A three-year matching grant of $187,500 to the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board (WIB) will support its YouthBuild program. YouthBuild provides job training, educational services, and employment pathways for young adults ages 16–24 who have left school without a diploma and face barriers to employment. The Harvest investment serves as required matching funds to help the WIB secure a federal grant and will serve approximately 65 young adults in Martinsville-Henry County.