The First Freedom Center sincerely thanks every one of its individual and corporate donors who have contributed to the organization and its mission since its founding in 1984. Below are some financial development highlights over the past year. While we cannot identify every funding arrangement on this webpage, all contributions—whether financial, inkind, or volunteer—are fully appreciated. Without this support, we could not execute our mission to advance freedom of religion and freedom of conscience through targeted programs. For the sake of that mission, the board and staff of the First Freedom Center heartily thanks it supporters.


August, 2011

$6,000 received from the Margaret Freeman Howerton Fund. In the past year alone, Dr. and Mrs. E. Ben Howerton and family members have contributed $10,000, in addition to Dr. Howerton's substantial volunteer service as the First Freedom Center's Board Chair.

$1,000 received from Mr. Harry Grandis through the Grandis Family Foundation. The Grandis Family has steadfastly supported the First Freedom Center since 1994.

$100 received from Mr. and Mrs. Harold R. Wall, who have contributed in memory of Ms. Lucie Baer almost monthly since 2008—a total of $1,600 over the past year alone.


July, 2011

$500 from The Rev. and Mrs. O. Benjamin Sparks III, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Peters, Jr.


June, 2011

$1,000 from the Barbara B. and James E. Ukrop Fund of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Ukrop have been exceedingly generous supporters of the First Freedom Center since its inception, and we cannot thank them enough. An additional annual gift of $1,500 was made in January, 2011.

$35 from Mr. Mark F. Leep, to be allocated to educational programs.


April, 2011

$3,000 from The Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan, in fulfillment of a substantial pledge. Bishop Sullivan has supported the organization and its mission since 1991 through financial contributions, board membership, and other means.


March, 2011

$50,000 from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation targeted to the Kids Holiday Space—an educational resource for elementary school students and their teachers that is under construction. This is the second of two such gifts by the Baugh family for this project, and we thank them for helping to make it a reality.


February, 2011

$1,000 from the Doherty Family Fund of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. James L. Doherty are some of our most loyal supporters. Their continual involvement with the Center goes back to 1985.

$100 received from Dr. and Mrs. John B.H. Caldwell, who have supported the organization continually since 2004.


January, 2011

The First Freedom Awards ceremony was a great success, with Asma Jahangir, John Graz, J. Brent Walker, and the Virginia Holocaust Museum all receiving well-deserved recognition. The event serves also as our annual fundraising campaign, and in this tough economy netted over $50,000. We gratefully thank all the many contributors to this event, especially Bon Secours Health System, whose Premier Sponsorship epitomized corporate citizenship. To see all the very generous 2011 First Freedom Awards sponsors, click here.

An exceedingly generous inkind contribution from Data Concepts, Inc. has resulted in significant website development and maintenance. Ms. Rooz Dadabhoy, Data Concepts CEO and member of our Board of Trustees, is taking over the management of the Center's website, which is of immense benefit.

$1,633 received from Mr. and Mrs. Roger L. Boeve, who also contributed $1,000 through the First Freedom Awards dinner this month. Mr. Boeve additionally devotes a significant amount of time to the organization as its treasurer.

$250 received from Mr. and Mrs. Brenton L. Halsey. The Halsey's have been kind and generous supporters since 1985.

$50 received from the Jewish Women's Club, in honor of the Center's Honorary Chair, Mr. Tommy Baer.

$50 received from Mr. and Mrs. Philip P. Burks, who have supported the First Freedom Center since 2002.

December, 2010

$5,000 received from the Charl Ormond Williams Trust, to be allocated towards the First Freedom Student Competition. Our partnership with the Trust dates back to 2008.

$1,000 received from Mr. Jay M. Weinberg. Mr. Weinberg is a former board member whose history with the Center goes back 18 years.

$75 received from President and Mrs. Roger Stowers.

$300 received from Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph H. Bunzl, who have supported the Center since 1994.
A generous gift received from Mr. Randall Welch, a supporter for the last 5 years.

$100 received from Dr. and Mrs. Allix B. James. Dr. James is a former board member, and his and his wife's gifts of time and financial resources have benefitted the organization and its programs substantially.

$250 generously donated by Dr. Mark R. Bladergroen and Ms. Carmella Maurizi.

$100 received from Mr. and Mrs. Arnaud Clark—a first-time gift. Thank you!


November, 2010

$290 received from Ms. Rene Gupta, a student at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. As part of a school project on the impact of 9/11 on America's perception of Islam, Ms. Gupta designed a t-shirt logo that incorporates symbols of world religions into the message: Exploring, Understanding, and Connecting. These shirts were sold to fellow students and the net proceeds, in addition to the proceeds of an art auction she organized, were donated to the First Freedom Center. She expressed appreciation for the manner in which our organization strives to increase understanding and respect for religious freedom in diverse communities. Ms. Gupta's very thoughtful gift was matched 1:1 by her father's employer, Glaxosmithkline, for a total contribution of $580.

$250 received from Mr. Walter W. Craigie, Jr., a generous supporter since 1995.

$5,000 received from Mr. and Mrs. S. Buford Scott, who have magnanimously furthered the organization's mission through board service, committee assignments, and financial gifts over the past 11 years.

$500 received from the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in payment of a substantial pledge.

$100,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Glade M. Knight. The Knight's gifts in terms of service and financial contributions to the First Freedom Center cannot be overstated. The Knight family has embraced the organization's mission as their own. We are deeply grateful.

$1,025 received from Mr. and Mrs. Tommy P. Baer. Mr. Baer is the First Freedom Center's Honorary Chair, who led the organization throughout most of its history, and believes deeply in its mission of advancing the fundamental human rights we espouse.