Virginia Private Grants

The City of Bakersfield is offering competitive grants for property and/or business owners within designated Downtown business district corridors: 18th, 19th streets and Wall Street Alley (between F and Q streets), and H Street and Chester Avenue (between 24th Street and Truxtun Avenue). The grants are specifically intended for large-scale exterior façade improvements to eligible properties and applicants within these areas. This initiative is funded by $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, demonstrating a commitment to local economic recovery and revitalization. While the prompt asks for "foundation mission alignment," the context indicates this is a city-led grant, and its mission is aligned with urban development and supporting local businesses impacted by economic downturns. The target beneficiaries for this program include small businesses (defined as having no more than 500 employees), non-profit organizations (tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3)), and businesses within "impacted industries." Impacted industries are those that experienced a negative economic impact during the pandemic, specifically citing tourism, travel, and hospitality. Other industries are considered impacted if they experienced at least 8 percent employment loss from pre-pandemic levels or comparable economic impacts. The impact goal is to stimulate economic recovery and enhance the aesthetic and functional appeal of the downtown business corridors, thereby fostering a more vibrant and attractive commercial environment. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on exterior façade improvements. The City anticipates awarding funding to 4-6 projects, with individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. For awarded funding of $100,000 and over, a 10% private investment match is required, along with a public hearing before the City Council. This matching requirement encourages community investment and shared responsibility in the revitalization efforts. The grant duration is two years, providing a reasonable timeframe for project completion. Expected outcomes include visible improvements to the downtown business districts, increased private investment in the local economy, and support for businesses and non-profits that have been economically impacted. The measurable results are tied to the number of projects funded (4-6 anticipated), the total amount of ARPA funding allocated ($1.5 million), and the specific improvements made to property exteriors. The strategic priority here is the revitalization of key downtown commercial areas, using ARPA funds to mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic and promote long-term community resilience and growth. The theory of change posits that by investing in exterior improvements and supporting local businesses, the City can create a more appealing and economically robust downtown core, attracting more visitors and fostering greater community engagement.

This program provides up to $5,000 in digital support to small businesses in Washington County, Virginia, to enhance their online presence and operational capabilities.

SisterFund, a women-led giving circle in Richmond, focuses on empowering Black women and girls in the community through grants awarded annually to nonprofits. These grants target improvements in education, workforce, leadership development, and health for African American women and girls. Members contribute $1,100 each year, and grants are awarded based on member votes. The mission is to transform local nonprofits supporting Black women and girls through significant financial investments, fostering long-term positive change. Grant awards will be announced and celebrated at an event on December 12, 2024.

The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SSARE) Education Grants program is designed to fund education and outreach activities that benefit the sustainable agriculture community. This grant directly aligns with SSARE's mission to promote efforts in farmer innovations, community resilience, business success, agricultural diversification, and best management practices. The core objective is to support projects that develop sustainable agriculture systems or move existing systems towards sustainability. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are farmers and farming communities, including those involved in indigenous agriculture producing for community food systems. Academic institutions, non-profits, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 1890 land-grant university faculty/extension cooperators, 1862 land-grant universities, other colleges and universities, and government agencies are eligible to apply, acting as facilitators for these educational initiatives. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and economically viable agricultural sector through knowledge dissemination and practical application. Education Grants prioritize projects that clearly articulate what is being taught, to whom, and how the goals will be accomplished. Focus areas include experiential learning (demonstrations, on-farm tours, field days, workshops), integrative approaches (conferences, seminars, course curriculum), and reinforcement methods (fact sheets, bulletins, videos, online technologies). SSARE also encourages proposals on quality of life topics, such as heirs property, farmers’ markets, food hubs, local/regional processing, and urban agriculture systems, emphasizing the social health of farming systems. Expected outcomes include the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, enhanced farmer innovation, increased community resilience, improved business success for agricultural enterprises, and greater agricultural diversification. Projects should yield results that are realistic, acceptable to farmers, logical, and capable of leading to tangible actions and benefits described in the proposal. The grant projects are strictly focused on education and outreach, with no research component, and are paid by reimbursement of allowable expenses. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in the grant requirements, which mandate that project outcomes focus on sustainable agriculture systems and clearly demonstrate how education and outreach efforts will be implemented and evaluated. The theory of change underpinning this program is that by providing targeted education and outreach, knowledge and best practices will be transferred to farmers and communities, leading to the development and widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural methods and improved quality of life within farming systems. Project maximums are $50,000, with a duration limited to two years. Applicants from the Southern region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible. Farmers involved in these projects must have farming/ranching as their primary occupation or part-time farming with at least $1,000 of documented annual income from their operation, with exceptions for indigenous agriculture.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits, educational institutions, and local governments for projects that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, promoting public engagement and historical reflection.

This program provides funding to Destination Marketing Organizations in Virginia to develop outdoor recreation projects that enhance local tourism and community engagement.

The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia's Summer Grant Program is designed to address a diverse range of community needs through several distinct funds, each with its own focus but all aligned with the foundation's overarching mission of improving the quality of life in Western Virginia. While the specific mission statement of the foundation is not explicitly detailed, the various fund objectives clearly demonstrate a commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, promoting animal welfare, and enhancing health services and general well-being within the communities it serves. The program seeks to foster positive change by strategically allocating resources to qualified nonprofit organizations that can deliver impactful services. The program targets a broad spectrum of beneficiaries, from individuals and families facing catastrophic circumstances to victims of cancer, the elderly, children, families, and handicapped/disabled persons. Animal welfare organizations and programs promoting positive human-animal relationships are also key beneficiaries. The impact goals are multifaceted, aiming to alleviate suffering, provide essential care and assistance, prevent cruelty, advance medical research, and improve overall health and quality of life. Each fund has specific impact objectives, such as preventing cruelty to animals, supporting battered women, providing cancer care, assisting with end-of-life medical needs, and generally improving community well-being. The program prioritizes several focus areas through its various funds. The Larry Woodrow Vest Fund supports general varying needs within Floyd County. The Phalia M. and Guy M. Kinder Fund focuses on preventing animal cruelty, promoting animal welfare, and advancing research for animal diseases. The Earl D. and Carrie Leigh Doran Fund is dedicated to assisting individuals and families in catastrophic situations and supporting organizations that aid battered women. The Cancer Center Fund targets organizations providing health services, education, diagnostics, and treatment for cancer victims in the Martinsville community. The Hospice Fund offers assistance and services to needy residents in the Martinsville area with end-of-life medical needs and expenses. Additionally, the Special Interest Funds broadly support services for children and families, handicapped/disabled persons, the elderly, and initiatives promoting health and quality of life, including breast health services. The expected outcomes and measurable results, while not explicitly defined with numerical targets in the provided text, can be inferred from the stated objectives of each fund. For instance, for the Phalia M. and Guy M. Kinder Fund, outcomes would include a reduction in animal cruelty cases and advancements in animal disease research. The Earl D. and Carrie Leigh Doran Fund would aim for improved support for individuals in crisis and increased assistance for battered women. The Cancer Center Fund would expect enhanced health services and educational resources for cancer patients, leading to better diagnostic and treatment outcomes. Similarly, the Hospice Fund would contribute to improved end-of-life care and reduced financial burden for needy residents. The Special Interest Funds would see improved services for various vulnerable groups and an overall enhancement in community health and quality of life indicators. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are centered on identifying critical community needs and channeling resources through established, effective nonprofit organizations. The approach is to provide grants that address specific challenges, with the belief that by supporting these targeted initiatives, a positive and lasting impact can be made on the lives of individuals, families, and the broader community. The geographic focus on Western Virginia, with specific counties and cities identified for each fund, demonstrates a strategic effort to address localized needs and maximize the effectiveness of grant funding within those areas. The eligibility criteria, which emphasize supporting qualified nonprofit organizations, further underscore the foundation's commitment to strategic and impactful philanthropy.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that deliver essential services and enriching programs in health, education, arts, and community development.

This grant provides funding for programs that educate and engage youth in Hampton Roads about local waterways and the effects of sea level rise, promoting environmental stewardship and hands-on outdoor experiences.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

This funding opportunity supports local nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in Culpeper, Madison, and Orange counties to implement health and wellness initiatives that benefit the community.

This grant provides funding to partnerships and organizations working to improve water quality and habitats in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through innovative practices that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects in Virginia Beach that aim to prevent and end homelessness by providing essential services like financial assistance, case management, and housing support for vulnerable individuals and families.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

This program provides unrestricted funding to small arts organizations rooted in communities of color, helping them sustain and expand their cultural practices while addressing systemic inequities.

This funding opportunity provides $2,000 grants to individual artists in six Southeastern states who have lost essential tools or materials due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

This funding opportunity supports community-focused initiatives by nonprofits, schools, and government entities in Charlottesville and surrounding counties to enhance local well-being and quality of life.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women and children in Charlottesville and surrounding Virginia counties.

This program provides funding to local organizations in EPA Region 3 for projects that address environmental and health challenges in historically underserved communities.