Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation manages a variety of special interest grants created through charitable endowments designed to address specific community concerns. These grants are open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve residents of South Hampton Roads. Each fund has its own purpose, scope, and eligibility requirements. While most special interest grants share a deadline of October 1, several have different due dates, and applicants are encouraged to verify deadlines before submitting. One of the special interest opportunities is the Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund for Developmental Disabilities. This fund supports organizations and programs that help people with disabilities live better lives, with a particular emphasis on training for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Proposals must demonstrate how they contribute to improving the quality of life for these individuals, specifically through training opportunities. Grants from this fund generally range between $5,000 and $10,000. Applications to this fund are due by October 1. Applicants are required to submit financial documentation as part of their proposals. For most funds, this means providing recent independently audited financial statements or a full IRS Form 990 or 990EZ. However, for certain funds—including the Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund, the Laura Turner Fund, animal welfare opportunities, the Veterans opportunity, and the Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund—an IRS Form 990-N accompanied by a profit and loss statement is acceptable. This provides smaller organizations with an alternative to meet the financial documentation requirement. The foundation provides an online application process and offers resources, such as sample applications, to guide applicants. Proposals are evaluated based on their alignment with the fund’s purpose, the clarity of the proposed activities, and the ability to demonstrate measurable impact on the target population. Organizations are expected to submit complete and accurate applications, including required financials, by the published deadline. There is no indication in the source that pre-application steps such as letters of intent are required. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation office is located at 101 W. Main St., Suite 4500, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. The foundation may be contacted at (757) 622-7951 or via email at info@HamptonRoadsCF.org for inquiries related to the application process or eligibility. Interested applicants are encouraged to review eligibility details and fund-specific requirements before applying. In addition, call-in days and nonprofit training opportunities are offered to support applicants. This program represents one of several endowment-based grant opportunities managed by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Each fund reflects the philanthropic goals of its founders, ensuring that specific community needs—such as animal welfare, mental health research, horticultural education, support for abuse survivors, veterans’ programs, and developmental disabilities—receive dedicated attention. The Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund is a recurring annual opportunity, with the next expected application cycle in fall 2026. Applicants should plan accordingly to align their proposals with the October 1 annual deadline.