WWRC Foundation History:
It is difficult to separate the history of WWRC-F from that of WWRC. WWRC was begun in 1947 when the Woodrow Wilson General Army Hospital was declared surplus and purchased by the Commonwealth of Virginia from the federal War Assets Administration. The first student enrolled on November 3, 1947. The Foundation was not formed until considerably later due in large part to the fact that rehabilitation as a profession was just emerging. Medicine was the only area where rehabilitation was having an impact and virtually no federal grant money was made available for research and development until much later. Subsequently, there was little need for a foundation in the early years, but with the expansion of the state-federal program which began in the late 1950s and early middle 1960s, there was a growing need for a foundation to act as third party to pursue federal grant programs in research, development, expansion and innovation.

The WWRC-F was chartered on April 12, 1960 and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson was the first donor who contributed $100.00 on July, 21, 1960 to the fledgling organization.

In the early years of the Foundation the major thrust of the organization was directed toward acquiring blended private, state and federal funding to design and construct many of the buildings currently in existence on the campus. Slowly, the old Army hospital buildings were replaced with modern, fully accessible facilities. In 1964 the construction of the Harold G. Watson Dining Hall and Student Activities Building began along with other building toward which the Foundation contributed $300,000.00 in matching funds. Later the William A. Cashett chapel was constructed entirely with private funds raised by the Foundation and the WWRC Council of Organizations, another volunteer organization serving WWRC.

On July 2, 1981 the WWRC-F became incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia and subsequently qualified with the United States Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c) 3, not for profit organization. This non profit status allows the WWRC-F to accept both cash and in kind contributions from the community to help meet the needs of the Center. A good example of in kind contributions is the recycling program that is operated by the Foundation. Whenever, an individual, business or organization has unneeded or unwanted equipment they can donate it to the Foundation for later placement with a Center program or a student, client or patient. Good examples are wheelchairs and scooters left by a deceased family member or computer and electronic equipment surplused by a business that can be used by the Center’s vocational and career development programs. Another specialty area in recycling is the use of industrial surplus such as metal, electrical components, industrial tools and equipment, etc. which is placed by the Foundation in the Center’s Rehabilitation Engineering Fabrication Laboratory. Whether cash or in kind, donors are provided with a certificate that can be used for tax deduction purposes.

Throughout the years many prominent individuals and organizations have been associated with the Foundation including the Lasker Foundation, the General George Kenney Arthritis Foundation, the National Culture Center, the Rockefeller Foundation, Reynolds Metals, Inc., the Kennedy Foundation, Dr. Margaret Meade, Jessie Ball duPont, Mrs. Eunice Shriver, Dr. Howard Rusk, Miss Mary E. Switzer and General James Doolittle.

About WWRC Foundation
Rehabilitative services require comprehensive diagnosis, medical, psychological and vocational services as well as computer and technical equipment. Funds raised by the Foundation will provide the resources necessary to elevate the level of care and treatment given to the 3000 clients who pass through the Center each year.

The benefits of these privately raised funds extend far beyond the life of the client who is served. Rehabilitative services can teach and re-train people to become not just self-sufficient, but a working member of the community. They leave with a new found self-esteem, an inner strength to face their life-long challenges and the skills they need to hold jobs and pursue careers.

Rehabilitation changes lives. Providing the best possible comprehensive rehabilitation services to those who need it is critical to maintaining a healthy, productive society.

Jessie Ball DuPont Fund

The WWRC-F is privileged to be one of approximately 325 eligible organizations identified in Mrs. DuPont’s will to receive grants from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. The Fund assists eligible organizations by providing both funds and technical and educational development resources. The Fund has assets of more than $315 million and has awarded $250 million in grants to eligible organizations since 1977.

Meeting schedule

The Board meets quarterly on the second Wednesday of the first month of each new quarter at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center and for special meetings as called by the President. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting must notify the President or Executive Director at least three weeks in advance of their desire to do so.

The schedule for 2008:

• February 13, 2008
• April 9, 2008
• July 9, 2008
• October 8, 2008