The Governors Row Fund for Teachers and Students was established in March 2016 by W. W. Webb & Associates, the developers behind the Governor's Row townhouses in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This fund represents a philanthropic commitment to the local education community and provides annual grant funding for educators and students within the Fredericksburg City Public School system. Each year, a portion of the fund is distributed to support impactful classroom initiatives and professional development opportunities.
For the 2025–2026 cycle, the Governors Row Fund will be awarded in combination with the Haven Make a Difference Fund, with a total of $18,000 available. These funds are administered through The Community Foundation and support proposals that demonstrate clear, innovative, and research-based strategies to improve teaching and learning outcomes for Fredericksburg students. The fund encourages projects that produce meaningful and lasting benefits for students, particularly those that promote effective pedagogy and direct student engagement.
Educators applying to this program must be public-school teachers in the Fredericksburg City Schools district and must directly serve students. Eligible uses of funding include professional development that directly improves student outcomes, acquisition of classroom resources, and instructional innovation. Applications that feature strong pedagogical reasoning, data-supported methods, or incorporate best practices in teaching are prioritized.
The grant range is between $500 and $10,000. Proposals seeking funds for teacher incentives, student rewards, food (except for meals during off-site training), or clothing are strongly discouraged unless an innovative justification is provided with supporting evidence of benefit.
Applications for the 2025–2026 school year open on September 15, 2025, and will close at 5:00 PM on October 20, 2025. Grant decisions will be announced on or around November 24, 2025. Awarded funds must be spent within ten months of disbursement. For support in preparing a compelling application, prospective applicants may consult the Director of Donor Services, Casey Hu, via email or phone.
Proposals should feature innovation, be based on research, and include professional development directly impacting students
