The Suffolk Foundation recently distributed grants to a number of community organizations working in the arts, education, the environment and human needs.

This year the Foundation was able to disburse $116,500 to 28 different nonprofit agencies. Since 2007, it has awarded more than $3.2 million in unrestricted and donor-advised grants and scholarships. As the invested funds continue to grow, the Board anticipates being able to support more agencies, and a diversity of needs, with more funds.

The 2015 Suffolk Foundation Grant Recipients were:

Suffolk Art League — $1,000 to help fund professional artist workshops in Suffolk’s high schools and middle schools and allow for fourth- and fifth-grade talented art students to visit and participate in hands-on activities at the Suffolk Art Gallery.

Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts — $5,000 to help support the center’s student matinees, “Artists in Schools” program, and youth art education initiatives.

Virginia Opera Association — $2,000 to help provide program activities for Suffolk Public Schools students, with programs fully staged by professional singers.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra — $3,000 to help support the symphony to continue to provide the Young People’s Concert to all Suffolk Public Schools fifth-graders.

Riddick’s Folly — $2,500 to help support the museum’s education programs.

Suffolk Literacy Council — $6,000 to help support the Tutor and Student Retention and Support Program.

Access College Foundation — $3,500 to support the Access program in the Suffolk Public High Schools and two middle schools as well as the colleges Suffolk Public School students are attending.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy — $3,000 to support the Saints Diversity Initiatives.

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy — $5,000 to help support the STEM Innovation Lab with the purchase of additional computers.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia — $7,000 to help support a tutoring program for 15 club members and the “Kid’s Café” program, which serves meals and snacks to more than 200 club members.

Children’s Literacy of Suffolk — $5,000 to help provide tutorial reading education Book Buddies to at-risk students in Suffolk Title I elementary schools.

Suffolk Education Foundation — $2,500 to help support STEM education in Booker T. Washington Elementary School.

United Way of South Hampton Roads/United for Children — $5,000 to help support the Suffolk Public Schools “LEAP” summer school program for all Title I at-risk students in grades pre-K through 5.

Nansemond River Preservation Alliance — $5,000 to help support the Nansemond Watershed Community Environmental Education Program, which encourages environmental stewardship.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation — $2,500 to help support environmental science training for Suffolk Public Schools teachers.

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia — $5,000 to help support the Backpack Program in Suffolk Public Schools.

Southeastern Virginia Areawide Model Program — $5,000 to provide up to 250 trips to medical appointments for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters — $7,500 to help support CHKD’s Child Abuse Program by providing medical, mental health, and forensic services to children who are suspected of being abused and neglected.

Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast — $2,500 for financial assistance for program fees and supplies for up to 500 girls in Suffolk.

Suffolk Family YMCA — $5,000 to help address the area’s childcare crisis by assisting 35 low-income children attend an after-school program and providing 10 children a week of summer camp.

Suffolk Meals on Wheels — $6,000 to support funding for meals for up to 20 need-based recipients in the under-served areas of Suffolk and Isle of Wight.

The Children’s Center — $2,500 to support the purchase of an audiometer for use in the Suffolk classroom.

ForKids — $5,000 to provide support for the Western Tidewater Hot Meals and Homework program.

Virginia Legal Aid Society — $5,000 to help support “Strengthening Families with Children” program, which incorporates legal advice and representation to strengthen low-income families in stress.

The Up Center — $2,500 to help support the Suffolk outpatient counseling services by providing Trauma Informed Care Counseling.

Suffolk Salvation Army — $5,000 to help support the basic needs programs and community center activities of the Salvation Army and the Robert Harrell Physical Health and Education Center.

Special Olympics Virginia Area 29 — $3,000 to assist in funding the cost of three major events: the Suffolk games, summer games, and fall championships.

Voices for Kids — $3,500 to help support the recruitment, training and supervising of volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused or neglected children.

Communities in Schools — $1,000 to support the coordination of non-academic services with at-risk students in Elephant’s Fork Elementary School.