The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Environmental Stewardship and Vibrant Places Grants program.

Since 1950, charitable people have created discretionary and field-of-interest endowments at the community foundation. Their generosity gives the flexibility to fund a variety of causes in southeastern Virginia.

Grant Categories

• Seed and program funding: Environmental Stewardship Community Grants focus on programs that educate youth, grades 3-12, about Hampton Roads waterways’ health and the impact of sea level rise in our region. Programs should be sustained efforts that:
  • provide hands-on outdoor experiences,
  • include education on environmental issues related to our water-based region, and
  • offer the opportunity for youth to develop and implement an action plan around watershed preservation and restoration.
  • Desired Outcomes: Grant proposals should address one or more of the following outcomes:
    • Hampton Roads youth increase their knowledge of our waterways’ health and exhibit positive behaviors that improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
    • Hampton Roads youth increase their knowledge of sea level rise and its potential impact on the region.
• Vibrant places funding: to build or improve area nonprofit facilities through major capital projects and capital campaigns.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Hampton Roads Community Foundation welcomes grant applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads, including those in:
  • Chesapeake
  • Eastern Shore of Virginia (Accomack and Northampton counties)*
  • Franklin
  • Isle of Wight County
  • Norfolk
  • Portsmouth
  • Suffolk
  • Virginia Beach
  • Grants to Eastern Shore nonprofits are awarded in partnership with our affiliated Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation.
• Requirements for Applying for a Vibrant Places Grant:
  • Demonstrate that your project is conducive to your organization’s mission and is part of a strategic plan for your organization.
  • Show how this project will enhance your organization’s or coalition’s ability to help those it serves through new services, assisting additional clients or increasing effectiveness
  • Demonstrate diversified funding sources, including board contributions and broad-based local support

For more information, visit Community Grants.