Suzee Leone Grants Program
In the fall of 2011 the Virginia Counselors Association Foundation (VCAF) resumed the awarding of small grants for proposals which furthered counseling initiatives in the Commonwealth. Effective June 12, 2021, the Foundation grants will be named the “Suzee Leone Grants Program,” in memory of Dr. Susan Leone, an Emeritus counselor educator at VCU and longtime VCA leader and counseling advocate.
Grants will be awarded twice annually subject to merit and appropriateness of the submissions. Grant activities must be in alignment with the purpose and vision of the Virginia Counselors Association Foundation.
Within the program, one of the available grants is named in honor of Esther Pincus. The Esther Pincus Grant is presented annually to the grantee whose proposal affirms the qualities of genuine care and concern that Esther extended to her family, friends, colleagues and especially to her students for 32 years at West Springfield High School in Fairfax, Virginia.
Purpose
The VCA Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable, philanthropic endowment fund. The primary purposes of this fund are to:
- Promote and foster professional education and development in the field of counseling in Virginia.
- Acknowledge and support individuals engaged in professional pursuits in the counseling field in Virginia.
Vision
The vision of the VCA Foundation is to provide financial resources to promote and enhance the counseling profession in Virginia.
Mission
The mission of the VCA Foundation is to create fundraising, philanthropic and other opportunities, which will generate financial resources that will support the purpose of the Foundation.
Eligibility Requirements
Proposals will be accepted from members of the Virginia Counselors Association in good standing.
Guidelines
The VCAF Grant Application must be completed and submitted with signatures as required. Submission of the grant indicates the applicant’s agreement to submit a final summary of results and an itemized list of final expenses as stated in the grant application. All applications must be consistent with counseling ethical guidelines and reflect the purpose of VCAF.
VCAF is interested in funding professional counseling activities that support the purpose and vision of VCAF.
As a rule, VCAF does not fund the following: Academic requirements including those for internship, practicum, dissertation, or thesis; salaries, stipends, gift cards for participation; experimental or unproven modalities; professional fees; or political activities.
Timeline
Applications will be accepted twice a year and must be received by email as a Word or PDF Document February 1st or October 1st.
Amount of Grants
The maximum amount of each grant will not exceed $1000.00. The final amount awarded for each application will be determined by the Foundation, based on available funds, the number of applications, and the VCAF Grant Committee’s perceived value of the proposal.
Selection Criteria
- Grant activities must be in alignment with the purpose and vision of the Virginia Counselors Association Foundation. Applications must also meet all guidelines as stated in the application.
- Grants are for one fiscal year and are non-renewable. Grants that are not selected may be resubmitted for the next application period.
- Each fiscal year the VCAF Board approves the amount of funds for grants based on the availability of funds raised during the year.
- Applications will be reviewed, scored and final decisions made by the VCAF Grant Committee. A list of final selections will be presented to the VCAF Board at the next Board of Directors meeting.
- All decisions are final and may not be appealed.
- The Virginia Counselors Association Foundation does not discriminate against qualified individuals or programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Application Format and Requirements
VCAF Grants Applications with all required signatures must be submitted by email in PDF or Word format by the due date. Applications may be submitted electronically without signatures, but the VCA member submitting the proposal must keep a copy of the grant application with original signatures. VCAF reserves the right to require that a copy with signatures be mailed to VCAF upon request.
Completed forms should be emailed to grants@vcafoundation.org as attachments after obtaining the necessary signatures. Include additional sheets as needed.
John Cook Award Recipients 
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The Virginia Counselors Association Board of Directors established the VCA Foundation in May 1991. The Foundation was incorporated on July 31, 1991. The Virginia Counselors Association is second only to California in establishing a state branch foundation. Dr. John Cook was supported by commitment of the Founding Directors of the Foundation, Ellen Chewning, Libby Hoffman, Pete Warren, and Gay Whitlock. 
2019 VCAF Grants Recipients with Past VCA President Rebecca Kaderli and VCAF Board Member Etta Jane Hall 
"Counselors are the Foundation, Every Day!" 
Virginia Counselors Association Foundation logo 
Dr. Pete Warren, one of five original Founders, VCA Past President, and first Executive Director 
John Cook 
The late Dr. John R. Cook, founding member of VCA Foundation & Director of Guidance for the Virginia Department of Guidance Education, 1972-1981. 
The Virginia Counselors Association Board of Directors established the VCA Foundation in May 1991. The Foundation was incorporated on July 31, 1991 
David Kaplan, Former Director 
Paul Galvin VCA Member Emeritus VCA Foundation Board, Director Emeritus 
Gerard Lawson, VCA Past President & VCAF Director 
Download the Word application