STRONG ACC announces three-year, $599,448 IMPACT grant from Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia
The STRONG Accountable Care Community (STRONG ACC) announced today that it has been awarded a three-year, $599,448 IMPACT grant from the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, with the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) Foundation serving as administrative manager. This investment will significantly expand the STRONG ACC’s capacity to strengthen cradle-to-career outcomes for children, youth and young adults across Southwest Virginia.
The grant arrives at a pivotal moment as the STRONG ACC implements strategies designed to lay the foundation for long-term, regional, systems-level change. Hundreds of public, private and nonprofit organizations across Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee participate in the coalition, working collaboratively to improve physical, social and economic health—particularly for economically disadvantaged children and their families. The STRONG ACC’s five regional strategies include expanding family education and support, strengthening early care and education systems, replicating the community schools model, lighting pathways to good-paying jobs and expanding supported and second-chance employment programs.
“Our region’s health and well-being depend on a strong foundation of early childhood development, educational attainment and access to thriving-wage careers,” said Donna Henry, UVA Wise Chancellor. “The Wellspring Foundation’s investment empowers the STRONG ACC to deepen its work with communities across Southwest Virginia and strengthen the partnerships that make long-term change possible. UVA Wise is proud to support this work as backbone partner.”
The funding will allow the STRONG ACC to enhance outreach, partner recruitment and regional engagement—especially in Washington, Russell, Smyth and Grayson counties—while supporting the coalition’s multi-sector strategy workgroups and accelerating measurable progress on its four key regional metrics: boosting kindergarten readiness, increasing third-grade reading and math proficiency, reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing the percentage of 25- to 34-year-olds earning thriving wages.
“This grant represents exactly the kind of goal-oriented partnership the Wellspring Foundation seeks to support,” said Sean McMurray, executive director of the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia. “The STRONG ACC’s commitment to collective impact, data-driven decision making and long-term systems change aligns perfectly with our mission to leverage collaborative partnerships to promote a healthy, thriving region. We believe this investment will create meaningful, sustainable improvements for families and communities.”
Funding from the grant will support a full-time collective impact specialist dedicated to further engaging Southwest Virginia partners, convening regional partners to drive measurable progress through 2028, and enhancing communications, outreach and strategic initiatives. The coalition will continue to align local organizations across sectors—including business, government, education, nonprofits and philanthropy—around shared goals and coordinated action.
“This is a key inflection point for the STRONG ACC and the region we serve,” said Mark Cruise, director of the STRONG ACC. “Wellspring Foundation’s support demonstrates a strong commitment to creating conditions and fostering opportunities for every child, youth and young adult to thrive. We are honored by this partnership and grateful for the trust placed in us. Together, we will expand collaboration, accelerate progress on our regional metrics, and build a healthier, more prosperous future for the next generation.”
The STRONG ACC’s work is sustained through the support of its backbone partners—Ballad Health and UVA Wise—and a growing network of partners committed to systems-level change across Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.