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ALEXANDRIA, Va — Two Alexandria-based nonprofits received grants from the American Water Charitable Foundation as part of $77,199 in Water and Environment funding awarded to four Virginia organizations.
Wilderness Kids Alexandria and the Friendship Veterans Fire Association were among the recipients announced by Virginia American Water, which distributes grants focused on clean water, conservation, environmental education, and water-based recreation.
Wilderness Kids Alexandria provides life-enriching experiences in nature to teenagers from under-resourced families and underserved communities in Alexandria, and calls itself the only organization in the City of Alexandria dedicated to getting teenagers into nature.
"We are so proud to be a 2026 Water and Environment grant recipient," said Jerry Casagrande, founder and executive director of Wilderness Kids. "This grant will support our efforts to introduce young people to the Chesapeake Watershed and all it offers. Through swimming, paddling and sailing, they will build skills and develop a connection to nature and our waterways."
The organization served more than 150 students last year in 107 different sessions, generating 2300-plus student-hours in nature through after-school programs at Francis Hammond Middle School and Jefferson Houston K-8 School, weekend activities and summer camping trips featuring backpacking, tubing, river paddling and rock climbing.
The Friendship Veterans Fire Engine Association assists in the preservation of the historic firehouse on Alfred Street in Alexandria, supports the Alexandria Fire and EMS Department, and provides scholarships and other benevolent and philanthropic services to the Alexandria community.
The Friendship Fire Company was established in 1774, as the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria, and the association operates the Friendship Firehouse Museum at 107 South Alfred Street, which houses historic firefighting vehicles including an 1851 engine and an 1858 hose carriage.
The other Virginia recipients were the James River Association, based in Richmond, and the Jessica Ann Moore Foundation, based in Waverly.
"Virginia American Water is proud to celebrate these four outstanding organizations making a real difference in the communities we serve," said Laura Runkle, president of Virginia American Water. "From instilling environmental conservation skills in our youth to supporting firefighters, these grantees reflect the very best of what it means to invest in Virginia's people, environment, and water resources."
The Water and Environment grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation's Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program. Since 2012, the foundation has invested over $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support organizations in communities served by American Water.
