Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Foundation Fund

The Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Foundation Fund, originally established in 1998 as a private philanthropic organization, has a history of supporting local nonprofit initiatives. In 2021, the foundation dissolved and transferred over $13 million in assets to The Community Foundation, which now administers the fund as an unrestricted, field-of-interest resource. The purpose of the fund remains consistent with its legacy: to enhance the quality of life in specific Virginia localities through targeted charitable support. As of 2025, the fund continues to operate under The Community Foundation’s governance and spending policies, offering grants to eligible nonprofits through a competitive application process. This fund is designed to support a wide range of not-for-profit programs and projects located in Caroline County, King George County, Spotsylvania County, Stafford County, and the City of Fredericksburg. Eligible activities include community development, housing assistance, scholarships, local education, support for medical facilities, services provided by community groups and cultural organizations, and other civic-oriented projects that positively impact community well-being. Grants are issued for general organizational support, with an emphasis on initiatives that embody values of stewardship, inspiration, collaboration, vision, and accountability. Applicants must be formally recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt nonprofit organizations or have a fiscal sponsor. The Community Foundation does not fund organizations that discriminate based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, or religious belief, although it does allow for projects that serve specific populations when justified by the need for targeted support. The fund is governed by The Community Foundation’s current spending policy, which allocates 4% of a 12-quarter rolling average of the fund’s balance for grantmaking. This is a shift from the former foundation’s 5% spending rule and resulted in a reduced grant capacity for FY22. The maximum amount an organization can request is tied to its annual operating budget. Organizations with budgets under $200,000 may apply for up to $5,000, while those with budgets over $2 million may request as much as $50,000. The funding cycle for 2025 opens on July 16 and closes on August 20 at 5:00 PM. The process is competitive, and applicants must submit thorough proposals including organizational background, board responsibilities, statement of need, details of proposed use of funds, evaluation plans, and descriptions of strategic partnerships. Applications are evaluated based on how well they align with The Community Foundation’s core values. Strong proposals should demonstrate prudent fiscal management, measurable impact, innovative problem-solving, and a commitment to community collaboration. While no contact name, email, or phone number was provided in the source, applicants should consult The Community Foundation’s website for further instructions and contacts. There is no mention of recurring submission dates, but based on previous patterns and the defined deadline structure, the grant appears to follow an annual cycle. This field-of-interest fund allows donors to collectively support a broad area of interest or geographic region, promoting more strategic and impactful giving. The Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Foundation Fund exemplifies this approach by offering flexible, community-driven funding under The Community Foundation’s stewardship.

Proposals that demonstrate stewardship, inspiration, collaboration, vision, and accountability will be most competitive