Recent Grants

Our Recent Grant Awards

Four times a year the Hampton Roads Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations. Funding comes from generous donors' unrestricted and field of interest funds.

In March 2025, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved approximately $2.5M in grants to these organizations:

Vibrant Places

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, $600,000.00 for three years to support construction of a new warehouse and administrative facility. 

William A Hunton YMCA, $600,000.00 for five years to support the capital campaign for a new facility in the St. Paul's area

Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Virginia, $350,000.00 for three years to support renovations to the Boys and Girls Club in Chesapeake.

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, $300,000.00 for one year to support capital expenses for new museum facility on the VWU campus.

Old Dominion Museum Foundation (Barry Museum), $200,000.00 for two years to support the Barry Art Museum expansion.

Mercy Chefs, Inc., $100,000.00 for one year to support the capital campaign to build a teaching garden and outdoor kitchen.

Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc., $70,000.00 for one year to support construction of a new digital media studio.

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Society, $50,000.00 for one year to support construction of an outdoor classroom.

St. Mary's Home, $40,000.00 for one year to support facility renovations and upgrades.

Joy Ministries, $40,000.00 for one year to support building and window repairs.

Environmental Stewardship

Norfolk Botanical Garden, for one year to support a floating wetlands installation and environmental education programming.

Additional Grant Requests

Eastern Virginia Medical School (Minus 9 to 5), $204,366 for one year to support Minus 9 to 5 initiative.

Peninsula Community Foundation, $10,000 for one year to support Give Local 757.

Norfolk Public Schools, $2855.68 for one year to support Friends of Norfolk Public Schools grants.

In December 2024 the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved nearly $2.5 million in grants to these organizations:

Special Interest Grants

Abuse Services

Connect With a Wish, $25,000 for 1 year to support the Foster Youth Independence Tenant Protection Voucher Program

Help and Emergency Response Inc., $55,760 for 1 year to provide coordination and childcare for youth impacted by domestic violence

Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center, $50,000 for 1 year to support Latino victims of domestic violence with direct services, outreach, and education

Safe House Project, $9,225 for 1 year for their Emergency Survivor Support Program in South Hampton Roads

Samaritan House, Inc., $65,000 for 1 year to provide basic needs to survivors of domestic violence

Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Inc., $9,225 for 1 year to support the educational programs for foster youth

United Methodist Family Services of Virginia, $7,500 for 1 year to support the Voices youth empowerment program

YWCA South Hampton Roads, $50,000 for 1 year to provide shelter for survivors of domestic violence

Alfred L. Nicholson Fund: Animal Welfare

Chesapeake Humane Society, $100,000 for 1 year to improve the clinic, shelter, and crisis boarding spaces

Norfolk SPCA, $100,000 for 1 year for capital improvements to improve the building's safety and efficiency

Virginia Beach SPCA, $100,000 for 1 year to improve the shelter and clinic spaces

Animal Welfare

Chesapeake Humane Society, $5,000 for 1 year to support of their Crisis Boarding Program

Meals on Wheels of Chesapeake Inc., $5,000 for 1 year to provide food and care for animals through the PAWS program

Norfolk SPCA, $5,000 for 1 year to support construction of the Dog Agility Yard

Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund

Complete The Puzzle, $6,000 for 1 year to support the Rays to Grow gardening program

Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, $10,000 for 1 year to expand the Nature for All program

Norfolk Botanical Garden, Inc., $15,000 for 1 year to support the Cultivating Creativity: Nature Inspired Art summer program

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens, $15,000 for 1 year to support its garden lecture and workshop series and garden educational programs

Virginia Zoological Society, $11,564 for 1 year to support the Habitat Heroes program

The Harry F. Wall Memorial Fund

Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads, $10,000 for 1 year to support programs at Denbigh High School and Hampton High School

The Mariners' Museum, $5,000 for 1 year to provide free environmental educational programming

Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, $2,500 for 1 year to support Peninsula students' participation in the Harold M. Marsh, Sr. Connections Institute

The Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund

Ability Center of Virginia, $4,000 for 1 year to support the ArtWorks Program

Complete The Puzzle, $10,000 for 1 year to fund the Champions in Motion program

Easterseals UCP NC/VA, $10,000 for 1 year to provide Culinary Connections courses

EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program, $10,000 for 1 year to provide therapeutic riding services

Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater, $10,000 for 1 year for the sports programs

Norfolk SPCA, $4,000 for 1 year to develop a job training program for persons with disabilities

Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, $5,000 for 1 year to support the Monarchs Move Summer Program

Special Olympics Virginia, Inc., $10,000 for 1 year to support the sports training programs

St. Mary's Home, $5,643 for 1 year to provide activities in a specialized therapy approach

The Laura Turner Fund

Ability Center of Virginia, $2,000 for 1 year to support the Ability Days program

St. Mary's Home, $660 for 1 year to support the purchase of a Digital In-Bed/Stretcher Scale

The Benjamin R. Brown Fund and The Charles G. Brown Fund

Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, $15,000 for 1 year to support a research project, Co-producing and Testing an Exercise Program to Improve Depressions Symptoms

Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund

Tidewater Arts Outreach, $500 for 1 year to support arts programming for senior citizens in Hampton

Virginia Opera Association, Inc., $800 for 1 year to support the "A 'Loving' Community" program on the Peninsula

Virginia Symphony Orchestra, $400 for 1 year to provide music program at a middle school in Hampton 

Veterans Assistance

Access Virginia, $5,000 for 1 year to provide accommodations to Veterans who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Visually Impaired

Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), $5,000 for 1 year to provide arts programming across art forms for Veterans 

d'Art Center, $2,750 for 1 year to provide opportunities for visual art, music production, and sound engineering for Veterans

EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program, $5,000  for 1 year to support the EQUI-VETS Therapeutic Riding Program for Veterans

Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads, $5,000 for 1 year to provide critical home repairs for Veterans

HunterSeven Foundation, $5,000 for 1 year to support Veterans who are diagnosed with cancer

Mercy Medical Angels, $5,000 for 1 year to provide free transportation for veterans  to critical medical treatments

Veterans and Athletes United, $5,000 for 1 year to support Accessible Wellness Retreats and sporting activities for Veterans with disabilities

Virginia Stage Company, $2,500 for 1 year to support the Connect Thru Art program for Veterans

E.K. Sloane Piano Fund

Chesapeake Public Schools, $19,995 for a Baby Grand Piano for Oscar Smith Middle School

Newport News Public Schools, $29,364 for a Baby Grand Piano for Crittenden Middle School

Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, $75,000 for a Concert Grand Piano at Chandler Recital Hall

Poquoson City Public Schools, $3,182 for a Electric Piano for Poquoson Elementary School

Regent University, $30,000 for Grand Piano for Shaw Chapel

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, $25,000 for a Grand Piano for the Sanctuary

Virginia Beach City Public Schools, $47,595 for a Grand Piano at Green Run High School and Green Run Collegiate

York County School Division, $8,511 for a Electric Piano for Yorktown Middle School

Miscellaneous Grant Requests

Business Consortium for Arts Support d.b.a. Arts Alliance, $500,000 for 1 year to support the Arts Fund and operations

Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, $500,000 for 3 years to expand its free clinic services 

Next Step To Success, $250,000 for 1 year to support the new campus facility

Virginia Humanities, $100,000 for 1 year to support the Hampton Roads Center

Advancing Equity Round III (Operating Support)

Advocating 4 Kids Inc., $1,000 for 1 year 

Blakey Weaver Counseling Center, Inc., $1,500 for 1 year

Butterfly Village Inc., $750 1 year

Community Outreach Coalition, $2,500 1 year

G.I.R.L.S. Club, $2,150 for 1 year

Hearts Full of Grace Inc., $1,000 for 1 year

Mosaic Steel Orchestra, $2,100 for1 year

Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless, Inc., $2,500 for 1 year

Quality of Life Inc., $1,750 for 1 year

Reck League, $1,250 for 1 year

Southside Boys and Girls Club, $750 for 1 year

T2 Fitness Foundation, $1,500 for 1 year

Teens With a Purpose - The Youth Movement, $1,500 for 1 year

Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, $1,500 for 1 year

Young Investors Group, $1,500 for 1 year

Youth Outreach Urban Resources & Services Ministry, $2,250 for 1 year

In September 2024 the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved $770,000 in grants to these organizations:

Connect With a Wish, $92,560 over three years to grow the number of youth participating in the Foster Youth Independence Tenant Protection Voucher program.

Families of Autism Coming Together, $90,000 over three years to support the newly created Helping Employees Reach Outcomes (HERO) program.

Portco Inc., $90,000 over three years to support two part-time direct service providers who will support people with disabilities in the workplace.

VB Home Now, $128,988 over three years to enhance housing stability services provided at the Transitions: Day Support Center.

Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, $60,000 over three years to grow its mental health services.

Southside Boys & Girls Club, $136,590 over three years to expand the mental health services provided in the Smart Moves program.

St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children, $75,000 over three years to expand behavioral therapy services to their residents.

Virginia Dental Association Foundation, $7,500 for one year to support the Donated Dental Services program in Hampton Roads.

Western Tidewater Free Clinic Inc., $90,000 over three years to enhance its mental health programs

In June 2024 the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved $638,968 in grants to these organizations:

Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation, $174,495 to support the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence for 2024-2025

Life Enrichment Center of Norfolk, $108,198 to support its literacy program at four new elementary schools

Community Outreach Coalition, $96,000 to expand the RESET (Remediation Effectively Supporting Educational Teachings) Program

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Foundation, $50,000 to support its Leveling the Performing Field ballet program for students in Title I elementary schools in Virginia Beach

Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads, $50,000 to expand the Operation Little Learner school readiness program for military children

KD Entertainment, $45,000 to expand its beginning, intermediate, and advanced drum classes

The Hurrah Players, Inc., $32,000 to support the new TV and Film Academy

Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, $31,275 to bring the Youth African Dance with TACA program to two schools in Virginia Beach

Joy Ministries, $30,000 to grow its summer reading camps

Tidewater Winds, $21,000 to support the RIME program to help children with reading comprehension through the arts

Studio 360 Performing Arts, Inc., $1,000 to support a new dance program at a Title I elementary school in Norfolk

In March 2024 the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved $494,016 in grants to these organizations:

Eastern Virginia Medical School, $203,010 for one year to support the Minus 9 to 5 Initiative

Horizons Hampton Roads, Inc., $84,000 for three years to support the "Our Choices - Our World" environmental stewardship program

LGBT Life Center, $75,000 to support the new clinic and pharmacy in Norfolk

Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast, $45,000 to support renovations to the Norfolk Lodge at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg

Wetlands Watch, $35,000 for one year to support the expansion of an environmental education curriculum to Virginia Beach City Public Schools Environmental Studies Program

The Genieve Shelter, $25,000 to support the construction of a new safe house

Lynnhaven River NOW, $17,035 for two years to support the Watershed Leadership Academy

Peninsula Community Foundation, $10,000 to support Give Local 757

In December 2023, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved more than $1.2 million in grants to these organizations:

Special Interest Grants

Chesapeake Humane Society, $100,000.00 for one year for equipment for a new dental suite, shelter upgrades, and building renovations

Virginia Beach SPCA, $100,000.00 for one year for shelter and facility improvements and upgrades

Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center, $50,000.00 for one year for services for Latino/Hispanic victims of violence and their children

Samaritan House, Inc., $50,000.00 for one year for basic needs for survivors of domestic and sexual violence

Virginia Legal Aid Society, $50,000.00 for one year for legal services and guidance for survivors of domestic violence

YWCA South Hampton Roads, $50,000.00 for one year for essential needs for survivors of domestic violence

Connect with a Wish, $32,760.00 for one year for case management for youth aging out of the foster care system

Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Inc., $25,000.00 for one year for tutoring and enrichment activities for foster care youth

Virginia Zoological Society, $17,000.00 for one year for the Zooticulture Interpretive Path

Norfolk Botanical Gardens, $15,000.00 for one year for the Into the Woods program

Eastern Virginia Medical School, $14,000.00 for one year for a study on mental illness comorbidities and Substance Use Disorders

Hampton Roads Urban Agriculture, $13,460.00 for one year for an Urban Farm in Norfolk

Easterseals UCP North Carolina & Virginia, $10,000.00 for one year for the Culinary Connections program

Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater dba Families of Autism Coming Together, $10,000.00 for one year for the Sports Program

Special Olympics Virginia, $10,000.00 for one year for a Sports Programs

Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, $10,000.00 for one year for student participants in the Harold M. Marsh, Sr. Connections Institute

Hermitage Museum and Gardens, $8,850.00 for one year for community horticulture education

Ability Center of Virginia, $6,000.00 for one year for the Artworks program

Chesapeake Humane Society, $5,000.00 for one year for Crisis Boarding Program

Feral Affairs Network, $5,000.00 for one year for veterinary and medical care

Hurrah Players, $4,540.00 for one year for Musical Theatre Inclusion classes

Ability Center of Virginia, $2,520.00 for one year for the Ability Days Program

Tidewater Arts Outreach, $800.00 for one year for arts programming for senior citizens

Virginia Symphony Orchestra, $800.00 for one year for programming at Eaton Middle School

E.K. Sloane Piano Fund

Virginia Beach City Public Schools, $47,495.00 for a Grand Piano for Salem High School and VBCPS Visual and Performing Arts Academy

Gloucester County Public Schools, $25,000.00 for a piano for Gloucester High School

Chesapeake Public Schools, $19,995.00 for a piano for Great Bridge Middle School Auditorium

Regent University, $10,204.74 for digital pianos for the Dede Robertson Theater

York County School Division, $10,000.00 for a Piano for Seaford Elementary

Newport News Public Schools, $8,461.00 for an electric Clavinova for Passage Middle School

Other

Business Consortium for Arts Support d.b.a. Arts Alliance, $500,000.00 for one year to support the Arts Fund and operations

Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable, $47,000.00 for a regional flood study

In September 2023, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved more than $1.6 million in grants to these organizations:

Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia, Inc., $250,000 over 2 years to support the Youth Homelessness Prevention Project

Neighborhood, $180,000 over 3 years to expand and enhance the Career & Community Development program

PIN Ministry, $178,289 over 3 years to expand their healthcare and mental/behavioral health services

Blakey Weaver Counseling Center Inc., $150,000 over 3 years to expand its capacity to provide behavioral health services

Samaritan House, Inc., $150,000 over 3 years to support The Hallow, a residential facility for youth who are survivors of human trafficking

Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, $150,000 over 3 years to support the Allies in Economic Development Campaign

RVA Hampton Roads Mega Region Collaborative d.b.a. RVA-757 Connects, $150,000 over 3 years to stand up their Global Internet Hub Council

Black BRAND, $90,000 over 3 years to launch the SURGE Community Business Academy

The Up Center, $90,000 over 3 years to support an expansion of their mental health and substance use disorder services

Hope House Foundation, Inc., $78,000 over 3 years to support the new Career Ladders for Direct Support Professionals program

LGBT Life Center, $65,100 over 3 years to launch a mental health and wellness program

LIFT Fitness Foundation, $37,098 over 2 years to support the LIFTing Wellness pilot program

The Community Builders, Inc., $25,000, over 2 years to support a financial literacy and credit building program

Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, $20,000 over 2 years to support The Virginia Early Childhood Funders Collaborative

In June 2023, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved more than $1.2 million in grants to these organizations:

ForKids, $300,000 over three years to start a new program for high school students

Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association dba WHRO, $300,000 over two years to support WHRO's local news initiative

Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Inc., $244,000 over three years to expand tutoring and coaching programming in partnership with Communities in Schools

Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation, $134,536 for one year to support the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence for 2023-2024

Mosaic Steel Orchestra, $125,000 over three years to expand the steel drum programming to additional sites

Youth Outreach Urban Resources & Services, $75,000 over three years to launch the Building Your Future program

The Literacy Lab, $20,000 for one year to support the Reading Corps literacy intervention program

HousingForward Virginia, $10,000 to support the ZONED IN: Hampton Roads initiative

Peninsula Community Foundation, $10,000 to support the Give Local 757 campaign

In March 2023, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved more than $1.4 million in grants to these organizations:

Nauticus Foundation, $250,000 to support the campaign for a comprehensive redesign project of the Nauticus facility to become the leading Maritime Discovery Center in the Mid-Atlantic region

Healthy Neighborhood Enterprises, $200,000 to support continuation of HNE’s work in the Park Place neighborhood including purchasing and renovating properties

Virginia Supportive Housing, $200,000 to support the renovation and expansion of Gosnold Apartments

Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation, $150,000 to support the capital campaign for the Visual Arts & Design Center

Virginia Zoological Society, $150,000 to support the EdVenture & Exploration Campaign

Children's Health Investment Program, $100,000 to renovate their building and create improved space and to create a Family Resource Center

Virginia Stage Company, $85,000 for renovations and upgrades to the theatre

Paul D. Camp Community College Foundation, $75,000 to purchase, renovate, and equip the Tidewater News building in Franklin to become a new Nursing & Allied Health Center

The Children's Center, $75,000 to support the purchase of the Early Head Start and Head Start building in downtown Suffolk

Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater, $70,000 to support the build out of the Autism Resource Center

Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, $70,000 to renovate and equip a new primary care health center in Chesapeake

Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, $10,000 to support their efforts in early childcare education

In December 2022, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved more than $2.1 million in grants to these organizations:

Sue Cook Winfrey Memorial Fund, Abuse Survivors

Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center, $55,000 for one year for direct services, educational resources, and technical assistance to support victims of violence

Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Inc., $40,000 for one year to support the tutoring program for students in foster care

Virginia Beach CASA, $20,000 for one year to expand the volunteer training program

Samaritan House, Inc., $18,000 for one year for staff training and technical assistance on best practices for serving survivors of domestic violence

United Methodist Family Services of Virginia, $10,000 for one year to offer Voices empowerment program to children in foster care

E.K Sloane Piano Fund

Williamsburg Music Association Inc., $37,500 Grand Piano

Christopher Newport University, $20,594 Yamaha Avant Grand N3x

Norfolk State University Foundation, $53,342 Piano for Solo and Chamber Recitals

Regent University, $28,800 Digital Piano Lab

The College of William & Mary Foundation, $100,000 Steinway Concert Grand Model D

Virginia Beach City Public Schools, $47,495 Ocean Lakes High School Piano

York County School Division, $8,692 Digital Keys for Classroom Collaboration and Performance

Alfred L. Nicholson Fund, Animal Welfare

Chesapeake Humane Society, $100,000 for one year for building and kennel repairs, clinic equipment, technology, and building repairs and renovations

Norfolk SPCA, $100,000 for one year to support construction, equipment and supplies for a new building addition

Virginia Beach SPCA, $100,000 for one year for technology and mechanical upgrades and the installation of a security system

The Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund, Horticulture Education

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens, $13,000 for one year to support the garden lecture and workshop series and other educational programs

Norfolk Botanical Garden, Inc., $15,000 for one year to create an educational program called Plant & Pollinator Pals

The Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund, Developmental Disabilities

Ability Center of Virginia, $5,000 for one year to support the ArtWorks program

Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater, $10,000 for one year for the sports program

The Laura Turner Fund, Developmental Disabilities

Ability Center of Virginia, $2,590 for one year

Benjamin R. Brown Fund and Charles G. Brown Fund, Mental Health Research

Eastern Virginia Medical School, $12,300 to conduct research to drive the development of a mental health wellness program to primarily support Black faith-based communities

Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, $10,000 to determine the efficacy of SKY intervention in treating suicidal ideation factors

Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund, Peninsula Activities

KD Entertainment, $1,200 to offer a music program at the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center

Tidewater Arts Outreach, $550 to support art programming focused on improving social-emotional and physical health for senior citizens

The Harry F. Wall Fund, Peninsula Activities

Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads, $7,350 to establish a Competitive Video Gaming Club

Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, $5,000 to allow high school students to participate in the Harold M. Marsh, Sr. Connections Institute

The Barbara Upton Wilson Charitable Fund, Animal Welfare

Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center, $3,000 for one year to support the Golden Paws Adoption program

Nature's Nanny Wildlife Rehabilitation, $5,000 for one year to help build a reconditioning facility for raptors

Albert H. Grandy Memorial Fund

Symphonicity - the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach, $5,880

Minus 9 to 5, $165,427 to support Minus 9 to 5

Business Consortium for Arts Support d.b.a. Arts Alliance, $495,000 to support the Arts Fund and operations

Advancing Equity Round II Grants; 12 grant awards $49,000

In September 2022, $440,264 in grants were awarded to six nonprofit organizations within the Economic Stability as well as the Health & Wellness program areas. Funds came primarily from donors’ unrestricted and field-of-interest funds. Organizations awarded grants were:

Economic Stability

Hampton Roads Workforce Foundation, $50,000 for one year, to support the Hampton Roads Veterans Employment Center

Survivor Ventures, $100,000 for one year, to support the Survivors to Entrepreneurs initiative, a 24-month employment program for survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation

The Salvation Army Hampton Roads Area Command, $108,956 over three years, to support Pathway of Hope in providing targeted services to families with children to take action to break the generational cycle of poverty

Virginia Legal Aid Society, $146,308, over two years, to expand the eviction prevention and outreach program

Health and Wellness

Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment & Endowment, $10,000 for one year, to refurbish and distribute durable medical equipment to individuals in need with physical limitations due to illness or injuries

Postpartum Support Virginia, $25,000, over two years, to expand their care coordination program and provide training in South Hampton Roads

In June 2022, the following nonprofit organizations received Educational Success and Cultural Vitality competitive community grants:

Educational Success

An Achievable Dream Virginia Beach, $600,000 over three years to expand their program to 10th through 12th grades in Virginia Beach

ACCESS College Foundation, $194,467 over three years to expand advising services at First Colonial and Salem high schools

Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads, $199,320 over three years to support a full-time site coordinator at Manor High in Portsmouth

G.I.R.L.S. Club, $85,500 over three years to expand their program to a Norfolk elementary school

Together We Can Foundation, $91,934 over three years to bring the Life-Work Portfolio program to middle school students

Virginia Beach GrowSmart Foundation, $75,000.00 over three years to support the Lena Grow coaching programs at early care centers in Virginia Beach

Walk In It Inc., $100,000 over three years to expand the Ladies of Distinction program to Portsmouth middle schools and a Chesapeake high school

Cultural Vitality

Arts for Learning, the Virginia Affiliate of Young Audiences, $97,500 over three years to support I.D.E.A.L. (Intentional Designs of Expression in Artistic Languages)

New in 2022: Advancing Equity Grants

In June 2022, the community foundation awarded Advancing Equity grants to nonprofits that primarily serve Communities of Color and provide programs and services to neighborhoods in South Hampton Roads, Franklin, and Isle of Wight County. Preference was given to organizations that demonstrated a commitment to racial equity as a core component of their services and programming. Learn more about the community foundation’s commitment to racial equity.

Clever Communities In Action, $12,000

Hearts Full of Grace Inc., $10,000

Virginia Housing and Community Development, $2,000

Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, $5,000

I. Sherman Greene Chorale, Inc., $2,000

Park Place Child Life Center, Inc, $2,500

Mosaic Steel Orchestra, $10,000

Don Carey REECH Foundation, $2,000

Complete The Puzzle, $5,000

NewMan Fitness Foundation, $2,000

T2 Fitness Foundation, $5,000

Community Resource Opportunity Project (CROP) Foundation, $1,000

Real People Educating Others, $1,500

House of Esther Organization Inc., $3,500

Quality of Life Inc., $3,000

StopTheViolence757, $1,000

Namel Prince Foundation, $5,000

C.L.E.A.N. (Citizen Learning and Educating About Neighborhoods), $1,000

Community of Change Incorporated, $2,000

In March 2022, the following nonprofit organizations received Vibrant Places and Environmental Stewardship competitive community grants:

Chrysler Museum of Art, $500,000 over five years to support the expansion of the Perry Glass Studio to become the Center for Advanced Education in Glass Arts and Sciences.

Judeo Christian Outreach Center, Inc., $500,000 over five years to support the rebuild of their campus on Virginia Beach Boulevard in Virginia Beach

Hospice House of Hampton Roads, $150,000 to construct and operate a new hospice facility in Virginia Beach

Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads, $50,000 to renovate their headquarters

Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, $225,000 to protect and repair its 100-year-old building

The Hermitage Museum and Gardens, $100,000 to support the renovation and outfitting of the Visual Arts School

Wesley Community Service Center, Inc., $255,000 to renovate and improve its building, including the addition of two Head Start classrooms

Western Tidewater Free Clinic, $100,000 to expand its current building to serve more patients in need of dental care

Partnership Development Foundation, $25,000.00 to renovate and outfit the new location of Bloom, a nonprofit coworking space in Portsmouth

Elizabeth River Project, $50,000 for youth education programs on environmental resilience across the region

In December 2021, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved more than $1.5 million in grants to these organizations:

  • Norfolk Botanical Garden, $7,500 to create a “Bird Buds” educational program theme in the World of Wonders Children’s Garden
  • EVMS, $15,000 to support research on the impact of mental health first aid training
  • Samaritan House, $20,300 for transportation to support services for children

In September 2021, $673,260 in grants were awarded to 9 nonprofit organizations within the Health & Wellness program area. Funds came primarily from donors’ unrestricted and field-of-interest funds. Organizations awarded grants were:

  • Urban Renewal Center, $150,000 over three years to support a shelter director for homeless programming.
  • Norfolk Senior Center, $100,000 over two years to support the Lifestyle Change Program for Diabetes.
  • T2 Fitness Foundation, $30,000 over two years to launch the T2 Fresh Start Initiative.
  • Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition, $50,000 over two years to expand services to people who use drugs in Hampton Roads.
  • Virginia League for Planned Parenthood, $45,000 to support an additional nurse practitioner.
  • Virginia Symphony Orchestra, $250,000 over two years to support the African American Fellowship program.
  • Trails of Purpose, $22,500 over three years to expand their mental health clinician staff.
  • Virginia Dental Association Foundation, $7,500 to support dental care for seniors and persons with disabilities.
  • YMCA of South Hampton Roads, $18,260 to support the Healthy Weight and Your Child program.

The June 2021 grant cycle primarily focused on cultural vitality and educational success. Nonprofit organizations that received grants include:

Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater, $32,100 over three years to expand its reach with the after-school program, Arts Adventure.

KD Entertainment, $30,000 over three years to support its music program.

Community Outreach Coalition, $45,000 over three years to support its Arts & Music Afterschool Enrichment after-school program.

Joy Ministries, $30,000 to support its summer literacy camp.

Wesley Community Service Center, Inc., $30,000 over three years to expand its after-school tutoring program.

Virginia Arts Festival, $500,000 to support its 25th Season Anniversary capital campaign.

In March 2021, grants were awarded to six nonprofit organizations for Vibrant Places community grants. Organizations awarded grants included:

Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads, $50,000 as a challenge grant to support major improvements to their building in Virginia Beach.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia, $100,000 to support their capital campaign for the newly purchased Portsmouth Club site. Funds will be used for the pool area.

Chesapeake Bay Academy (CBA), $40,000 to support their capital campaign. Funds will be used for building renovations required to house the Center for Educational Research and Technological Innovation (CERTI).

Dockside Art Review of Tidewater (d’Art Center), $50,000 to fund the technology and equipment necessary for the major renovations of their new space in Norfolk’s NEON district.

Louise W. Eggleston Center, Inc., $125,760 to renovate a newly purchased building that will house the Beacon House brain injury and Warrior Bridge programs and headquarters’ offices.

Seton Youth Shelters, $255,000 over two years to support the Building Promise Capital Campaign to combine Seton’s programs and services on one campus, including a boys’ shelter, girls’shelter, and an administrative and community education center.

December 2020 grants

In December 2020, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved more than $1.9 million in grants focused on special interest grants.

Competitive grant awards were made from specific funds to these organizations:

From the Sue Cook Winfrey Memorial Fund for organizations helping children and/or relationship partners who have been abused:

  • The Genieve Shelter, $50,000 to fund a full-time Children’s Advocate for the children's program.
  • Samaritan House, $15,000 to create child-friendly safe spaces for families staying in emergency shelter.
  • Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Inc., $60,000 to expand its tutoring program for foster youth.
  • United Methodist Family Services of Virginia, $25,000.00 to support children in the Treatment Foster Care program through the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Virginia Beach CASA, $18,720 to fund a part-time coach/mentor for the Bridges to Success program.

From the Landmark Fund for Slover Technology for technology at the Slover Library in Norfolk:

  • Slover Library Foundation, $149,600 to modernize and expand the Slover Library's existing lighting and digital AV system.

From the E.K. Sloane Fund for pianos, a combined total of $121,132 to these organizations:

  • Tidewater Winds
  • Chesapeake Public Schools
  • Christopher Newport University
  • Norfolk Public Schools
  • Virginia Beach City Public Schools

From the Alfred L. Nicholson Fund for the humane treatment and care of animals:

  • Norfolk SPCA, $115,000 to support capital upgrades to the main facility and equipment for their new off-site clinic.
  • Virginia Beach SPCA, $115,000 to provide for capital improvements, IT equipment and software upgrades.

From the Jennifer Lynn Gray to support training for people with mental disabilities:

  • The Academy of Music, $1,400 to support Band-Together, a new outreach program to provide instrumental instruction
  • Hope House Foundation, $1,992 to provide online learning modules that focus on the needs and concerns of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

From the Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund to support training for people with mental disabilities and from the Laura Turner Fund to assist adults with cerebral palsy:

  • Ability Center of Virginia, $3,000 to support the Ability Day Program, which provides activities and outings that emphasize and encourage community inclusion, personal independence, skill development, and positive team-building.

From the Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund for horticultural educational purposes:

  • Hermitage Museum and Gardens, $8,000 to expand the educational programs through 2hands-on, practical approaches to garden and environmental conservation
  • Norfolk Botanical Gardens, $15,000 to support the programming in the children's garden in conjunction with the 2021 summer exhibit, Washed Ashore
  • Virginia Zoological Society $6,500 to replace eight raised garden boxes and signage on the Animal Wellness Campus

From the Charles G. Brown Fund for advanced research in mental illness:

  • Eastern Virginia Medical School, $15,000.00 for research to study specific stresses in relation to perinatal and postpartum care during the Covid-19 pandemic

From the Charles G. Brown Fund for advanced research in mental illness and from the

Benjamin R. Brown Fund for research in mental illness and for those living with it:

  • Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, $13,000 for research to study the effects of peer-supported exercise on symptoms of anxiety and depression among young adults.

From the Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund for arts and humanities on the Virginia Peninsula and from the H. Lee Kanter Fund for the performing arts:

  • Virginia Symphony Orchestra, $1,200 to provide sessions to music students in Hampton City Schools to learn technique, posture, fingerings, sound production, music theory and general musicality

From the Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund for arts and humanities on the Virginia Peninsula

  • Mosaic Steel Orchestra, $1,200 to support a steel drum virtual program for Black boys in Newport News.

From the Harry F. Wall Memorial Scholarship Fund for public high schools on the Virginia Peninsula

  • Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads, $12,380 to provide counseling, mentoring, and attendance monitoring, academic assistance, and connections to resources for students at Hampton High School

Miscellaneous grant awards were made to these organizations:

  • Urban League of Hampton Roads, $300,000 over three years for Project Ready-Career Beginnings program designed to improve school retention and graduation for youth ages 11-18 and to prepare older youth ages 16-24 for the workplace
  • EVMS Minus 9 to 5, $197,744.00 for the EVMS Minus 9 to 5 regional organization
  • Reinvent Hampton Roads, $200,000 for support of Reinvent Hampton Roads
  • Business Consortium for Arts Support, $478,000.00 to support the Business Consortium for Arts Support in 2021

In September 2020, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation awarded $505,992 in competitive grants to five area nonprofits. Funds came from community foundation donors’ unrestricted and field-of-interest funds.

Awarded grants were:

ForKids, Inc. $46,750 over three years for the Economic Mobility Interventions for Families program

New Vision Youth Services, $45,000 over three years to expand their Transitional Housing Step I program for young people ages 18-21 who are not working or in school

Neighborhood, $103, 000 over three years to expand the career training and coaching program

VB Home Now, $150,000 over three years to help families experiencing homelessness or at risk of being homeless obtain and retain permanent housing

The Up Center, $161,242 over three years to support a Pediatric Clinician who will provide specialized counseling services for military children and adolescents.

In June 2020, more than $600,000 in grants were awarded to nonprofits. This grant cycle primarily focused on cultural vitality and educational success. Recipients included:

Armed Services YMCA of Hampton Roads, $30,000 over two years for the 5 Star Kids preschool program.

d’Art Center, $17,000 to support an expansion of its financial literacy and art program at Richard Bowling Elementary School in Norfolk.

RVA 757 Connects, $300,000 over three years to support regional competitiveness of Hampton Roads and the greater Richmond area through strategic collaboration.

Teens with a Purpose, $90,000 over three years to expand its arts and culture programming for youth.

The Literacy Lab, $30,000 to support the expansion of its literacy program in Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation, $158,014 to support the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence for the 2020-21 academic year.

Virginia Air and Space Center, $40,000 over two years, to expand its STEM 360 Project to 4th and 5th grade students in Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Virginia Stage Company, $5,000 to support an artist in residence for the 2020-21 year at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk.

In March 2020, grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations from donors’ unrestricted and field-of-interest funds. Organizations awarded grants included:

Elizabeth River Project, $350,000 over three years to help build the Louis & Pru Ryan Resilience Lab in Norfolk along the Lafayette River. The lab will be the regional nonprofit’s headquarters and will have a sea-level rise resilience park along the river. Funding is in part from the Community Fund for the Environment, Inge Family Fund for the Environment, Willliam Thomas Reilly Fund and the Barbara Upton Wilson Fund.

The Hurrah Players, $101,000 over two years to add a second floor to regional family theater’s Hugh R. Copeland Center in Norfolk’s NEON District. The expansion to the training center will include a television and film academy and costume storage.

Nansemond River Preservation Alliance, $50,000 over two years to expand to all third graders in Suffolk Public Schools the Watershed Explorers program. This environmental education program, which has been in Suffolk middle and high schools teaches students about waterways, watersheds and sea-level rise.

Southside Boys & Girls Club, $150,000 to help replace windows and renovate the nearly 40-year-old building’s classrooms, computer room, gym, kitchen and other areas. The club provides programs for 1,500 annually youth from Title I schools in the Berkeley and Campostella neighborhoods in Norfolk and the South Norfolk neighborhood in Chesapeake.

Virginia Stage Company, $157,425 to upgrade the outdated sound system at the Wells Theatre as well as its antiquated system that uses pulleys and sandbags to change sets. Funds come from the William A. Goldback Fund for the Performing Arts and the H. Lee Kanter Fund for the Performing Arts.

VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, $75,000 for the VolunTier Vision software program that matches are volunteers with nonprofit opportunities.

Virginia Wesleyan University, $73,700 to upgrade the Fine Arts Building’s heating and cooling system and build a new kiln area in the building that houses ceramics, painting photography, and sculpture studios and also provides rehearsal space for instrumental and choral programs.

December 2019 grants

In December 2019, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation approved more than $2.4 million in grants during its last round of Community Grant funding for 2019 primarily focused on special interest grants.

Awards were:

Business Consortium for Arts Support, $478,000 from seven donor funds focused on the arts, to help support 39 area cultural and performing arts groups in 2020.

Chesapeake Humane Society, $200,000 from the Alfred L. Nicholson Fund for expansions that include dog kennel space, larger veterinary clinic, a conference room and more administrative space.

Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads, $15,000 from the Harry F. Wall Fund for Peninsula high schools to expand its Hampton High School program that assists students at-risk of dropping out of high school graduate to help them succeed in life.

Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation, $500,000 over five years to support the medical school’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Funding is in part from the William A. Goldback Fund for medical education.

Help and Emergency Response Inc. (HER Shelter), $23,745 from the Sue Cook Winfrey Memorial Fund for abused and neglected children to add a part-time program assistant, curriculum materials and mentoring activities for its children’s program.

Norfolk Botanical Garden, $15,000 from the Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund for horticultural education for education program in the Children’s Garden in 2020.

Norfolk SPCA, $100,000 from the Alfred L. Nicholson Fund to upgrade veterinary clinic technology and improve the shelter facilities.

Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, $500,000 over five years to help develop Recover Hampton Roads, which will assist people from areas vulnerable to flooding and who are medically fragile quickly recover from natural disasters.

Piano grants: $178,200 from the E.K. Sloane Fund for pianos at Ballet Virginia International, Chesapeake Public Schools (for Hugo A. Owens Middle School), Christopher Newport University, the Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Newport News Public Schools (for Warwick High School), Suffolk Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach City Public Schools (for Plaza Middle School) and Virginia Opera Association.

Slover Library Foundation, $159,101 from the Landmark Fund for Slover Technology to upgrade interactive and multimedia displays throughout the library to help library patrons better access materials and information.

Tidewater Friends of Foster Care Inc., $80,000 from the Sue Cook Winfrey Memorial Fund to expand its tutoring program for youth living in foster care in Hampton Roads to help them stay on grade level.

Virginia Beach SPCA, $100,000 from the Alfred L. Nicholson Fund to complete its expanded yard where shelter dogs exercise.

In September 2019, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation awarded $497,500 in grants to seven area nonprofits. Funds came from community foundation donors’ unrestricted and field-of-interest funds.

Awarded grants were:

American Heart Association, $100,000 over three years to expand its mobile cooking program that provides healthy cooking classes for people who rely heavily on the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. The program aims to improve the health of participants, and it is conducted in partnership with Eastern Virginia Medical School and Healthy Portsmouth.

The Chas Foundation, $54,000 over two years for its Mental Illness Navigator and Support program. It provides peer crisis support, assistance with navigating the court system, transportation assistance, and development of action plans. The Chas Foundation also trains police crisis intervention teams, behavioral mental health providers, pediatricians and social workers. This grant will help The Chas Foundation double the number of families it serves by adding two part-time staff positions and increasing care coordination and follow-up.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities, $193,500 over three years, to support rapid re-housing services for people facing homelessness in Western Tidewater and Chesapeake. Funds will help individuals find permanent, stable housing and will provide case management services to keep participants on track.

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, $100,000 over three years for the Healthy Foods Pantry Program to increase the number of people who have access to healthy foods. Funds will help convert eight food pantries into markets where Foodbank shoppers can choose healthy foods they want instead of receiving a prepared box of food. Shoppers will be guided by volunteers to fresh foods as well as receive nutrition education lessons developed by a dietitian.

The FREE Foundation (Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment and Endowment), $14,000 over two years to support a program that provides free, durable medical equipment and assistive devices for people who cannot afford them. The grant covers a new community outreach position, rehabilitation equipment, and sanitation equipment and supplies to assist people with physical mobility challenges.

PIN Ministry (People In Need), $8,000 to expand the medication program for people experiencing homelessness. The medications will provide emergency care for acute issues, decreasing the use of the hospital emergency departments for primary care.

St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children, $10,000 to support a program to better serve children with complex behavioral issues, including those who self-harm and show aggression towards others.

Grants were awarded to 10 nonprofit organizations primarily from donors’ unrestricted and field-of-interest funds. Organizations awarded grants were:

  • Chesapeake Bay Foundation, $250,000 matching grant to design and build a mobile oyster restoration center for Hampton Roads.
  • The Children's Center, $100,000 to help construct an addition to its Suffolk center to expand its Early Head Start program from two days to five days.
  • Children's Health Investment Program (CHIP), $100,000 to renovate its Chesapeake headquarters to accommodate additional nonprofits and community meeting space.
  • The Honor Foundation, $30,000 to pilot an online virtual campus program for transitioning Hampton Roads military service members.
  • The Mariners' Museum, $25,000 to upgrade storage conditions to archival standards at the Newport News museum.
  • Paul D. Camp Community College Foundation, $150,000 to renovate space for a regional training program to prepare warehouse, distribution, and logistics workers.
  • Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, $25,000 to develop a plan for implementing the "No Wrong Door" Connectivity Project to improve area services for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and caregivers.
  • StartWheel Corporation, $25,000 to create a supportive environment for Hampton Roads entrepreneurs.
  • Virginia Zoological Park, $47,492 to expand the Conservation Youth Team program to help high school students learn about environmental and conservation issues.
  • WHRO, $16,300 to expand to 20 area high schools the “Catch the King” project to help students to better understand impact of sea-level rise.

Community Grant Options

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