Christopher F. Foster
The Astoria Beneficial Club was founded on August 8, 1901 at the home of Christoper F. Foster. Also the Astoria Scholarship Foundation is known as the C. F. Foster Scholarship Foundation.
The Astoria Beneficial Club was founded on August 8, 1901 at the home of Christoper F. Foster. Also the Astoria Scholarship Foundation is known as the C. F. Foster Scholarship Foundation.
C. F. Foster Scholarship Foundation
In the late 1920’s, the club offered scholarships to ranking students of Armstrong High School, and students of the Virginia Union University who made the highest average of any Richmond pupil during the first two years of college. Miss Roberta Randolph and Miss Ada V. Foster (my aunt) were among the first who were successful in receiving $100.00 scholarships each.
In the 1970’s, Astoria past President Richard W. Foster (my uncle) suggested the creation of a scholarship fund. The fund was named in honor of Christopher French Foster (my grandfather), one of the founders and a past President of Astoria. Scholarships have been awarded to deserving students in Richmond area schools every year since the fund’s inception (except during covid).
In 2000, Astoria president Walter Gaines appointed past President James w. Hunt, Jr., to work on creation of a 501c3, tax exempt, scholarship foundation. Past president Hunt was assisted by past presidents Eugene C. Harden, and Alan J. Foster, Sr. The three men worked harmoniously, consistently, and tirelessly researching data and assembling information to complete their task.
On November 27, 2002, the State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia awarded a certificate of incorporation to the Christopher F. Foster Scholarship Foundation, Inc. On December 9, 2002, the Internal Revenue Service established a 501c3, tax exemption for the Christopher F. Foster Scholarship Foundation, Inc. The goal of the CFFSF is to be a resource of funds for scholarships for deserving students. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible.
In the past 20 years, we have given over $66,000 in scholarship donations to high school seniors in the Richmond metropolitan area. We are currently receiving funds from the Astoria's Ways and Means committee (I/2 of profits from their annual fundraising events). In the past, we received funds from the Astoria Ball which we no longer have due to lack of participation.
I am reaching out to my fellow Astorians for recommendations on fund raising initiatives that the foundation could possibly use, and I am also asking those individuals who would like to become members of the C. F. Foster Scholarship Foundation to reach out to me. We currently have a few vacancies that we would like to fill. I am attaching a copy of our brochure so that you see additional information about this great organization and also our bylaws to see if you are interested in joining the foundation.
Finally, we are accepting donations from everyone. so, if you are interested in making a donation, please make the check payable to the C. F. Foster Scholarship Foundation and present to me or our Secretary/Treasurer past president Fennon Henderson.
Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about this non-profit organization named after my grandfather.
Alan J. Foster, Sr.
President
C. F. Foster Scholarship Foundation
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Alan Foster Sr.
So proud of my grandfather, my uncle and cousins on the 115th anniversary of the Dominion Medical Association in Jackson Ward. It brings back many memories to me because my parents and I lived in their medical office on the 2nd floor until my father passed and then my mother and I moved in to live with my grandparents, Isaiah Jackson Sr. and Nannie Coleman Jackson on Idlewood Ave. I enjoyed walking through the doctor's office on many, many days!
