Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge is a community where people who have led productive lives enjoy the fruits of their success in comfort and fellowship. It is also a place where they generously share those fruits with others.

That is what the WCBR Foundation is about.

“The word Foundation originally comes from the Latin fundare, meaning ‘to lay a base for,’” says Bethanie Constant, WCBR’s vice president of development. It provides a firm base of benefits for residents and associates.

“Associates are able to pursue their dreams through education and training, may receive assistance during a challenging time in their lives, and are presented with recognition and reward for a job well done in service to the WCBR community,” Bethanie explained further. “Residents find comfort in the fact that no one has ever had to leave due to lack of funds, and that pastoral care and memory support is there for them when they or their loved ones need it.”

Donor Relations Specialist Erica Stein added, “And when residents are able to participate in the Foundation’s Life Enrichment programs, such as bridge and art classes, the joy on their faces is indescribable. Bringing that light to the community is what the Foundation is all about.”

Upon the founding of WCBR in 1985, it was required that the Fellowship Fund be established before opening the doors. The Fellowship Fund was to provide assistance for residents whose financial resources had been depleted. The first residents moved in to WCBR in October 1990.

In 1998, the Foundation was founded to perform the Fund’s functions. The Articles of Incorporation state, “The Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. More particularly, the Foundation shall at all times be operated solely in connection with, and exclusively for the benefit of, Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge.”

During its history, thus far, the Foundation has received a total of 19,663 gifts from 2,839 donors, for a total of $18,656,466. As it is a 501(c)(3) organization, gifts are fully tax-deductible. The gifts come in two forms:

Unrestricted Gifts: These give the Foundation board full latitude to direct assets toward areas of greatest need at a given moment. They also support planning for and implementation of future programs and services.

Purpose-Restricted Gifts: Donors may choose to make restricted contributions to one or more of the following programs for residents or associates.

Resident Support

Fellowship Assistance – From its founding, WCBR has provided an important safety net to residents who have outlived their financial resources and are no longer able to afford their WCBR monthly fee. To date, no one has ever had to leave the community for lack of funds.

Life Enrichment – This offers opportunities to enhance residents’ quality of life through cultural, educational, leisure and recreational activities. Gifts may support concerts, performances, lectures, art classes, music and art therapy, and other group activities and events.

Memory Support – Enhances care and programs for residents with dementia, including music, art, movement and other specialized therapies, and evidenced-based training on practices that optimize quality of life.

Pastoral Care – May be used to support clergy, seminary interns and those pursuing Clinical Pastoral Education at WCBR, provide honoraria to guest speakers, and assist with the costs of special services and programs, such as the annual Remembrance Service.

Associate Support

Workforce Development – Supports the cost of training and education to secure and retain WCBR’s talented associates.

Recognition and Reward – May support service awards programs and departmental recognition events. Additionally, funds may be utilized to support costs borne by associates for the purchase of clothing required for their position, such as scrubs and safety shoes.

Emergency Assistance – Helps associates who may experience a financial crisis due to events beyond their control. Grants are made to eligible associates with funds being sent directly to a business or creditor, e.g., mortgage company/landlord, utility company, or funeral home.

WCBR is proud of all the good work the Foundation does, and we would love for you to be a part of it.

There are many ways to give, now or in the future. Learn more on the Foundation’s main information page, and more on this page.

You may also contact Bethanie Constant at (434) 972-3281, Bethanie.Constant@wc-br.org, or stop by the Development Office at WCBR to learn more.