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March 2022
New: Advancing Equity Grants
Flexible funding for nonprofits serving Communities of Color

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is committed to racial equity. Our vision is “a thriving community with opportunity for all.” We are pleased to offer a grant opportunity focused on racial equity that provides operating support for nonprofit organizations that have not typically received competitive community grants. These grants may be used to fund any aspect of the nonprofit’s mission, including day-to-day operations. These one-year grants are targeted to nonprofits that primarily serve Communities of Color and provide programs and services to neighborhoods in Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.

Preference will be given to organizations that demonstrate a commitment to racial equity as a core component of their services and programming.

The deadline is March 31, 2022. Get the full details here.
Reminder: April Grants Focus on Cultural Vitality & Educational Success

Applications for the next round of Hampton Roads Community Foundation Community Grants applications are due April 1. Pictured here is the Shark City Drum Corps, which received a grant from the community foundation in 2021.

Grant categories are:

  • Cultural Vitality to support programs offering hands-on arts and cultural experiences for area children. Our goal is to help the educational, social, or emotional well-being of youth through arts and culture.

  • Educational Success to improve the educational achievement of children and youth from our region, especially those facing socioeconomic barriers to success. Our goal is to encourage growth through opportunities for all students to excel in their educational pursuits and meet the region's current and future workforce demands.

Before applying, you should:
  • Review the requirements here.
  • Review the grant guidelines here.
  • Talk with a program officer here. 
Resources and Opportunities

Top Tips for Writing A Grant
Writing grants can be an intense process. Do you need help staying organized and keeping your content fresh? If so, check out this video by Candid, which provides three tips for writing grants, especially for government grants.


Organizational Funds: Helping Nonprofits Secure Great Futures
Since 1991 area nonprofits – from human service organizations to arts groups – have secured their futures with Hampton Roads Community Foundation endowments. Right now we invest and manage funds for more than 50 Hampton Roads nonprofits.

How it works: Organizational funds are started by nonprofits to benefit their organizations. Donations are invested with our larger pool of funds to grow over time. Nonprofit fundholders have the option each year to receive a distribution, and they can use the proceeds in any way needed – paying for programs, buying supplies or improving facilities. Your nonprofit can also add to its organizational fund to help it grow faster. Interested?


Heads Up: Community Leadership Partners Grant Application Opens April 1
Every year, members of the Community Leadership Partners – a giving group at the community foundation – learn about Hampton Roads issues, choose a funding focus area, invite nonprofits to apply for grants, and collectively recommend grants to fund. Their grant application will open on April 1.

Date to Remember

April 5 Logic Models: Powerful Tools for Change. Register here.

April 7 Call-in Day for Nonprofits. Email grants@hamptonroadscf.org to set up an appointment.

May 5 Call-in Day for Nonprofits. Email grants@hamptonroadscf.org to set up an appointment.

May 10 Ten Tips for Preparing a Grant Proposal. Register here.

May 24 Making Outcomes Count. Register here.

Find the full schedule of training sessions and Call-in Days at hamptonroadscf.org/nonprofits.