Horticultural Education: Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation administers a variety of special interest grants established through charitable endowments. These funds were created by donors to address targeted concerns within South Hampton Roads, Virginia. The foundation invites applications from qualified nonprofit organizations that meet the eligibility requirements and submission guidelines. These opportunities are tailored to specific areas such as abuse survivors, animal welfare, developmental disabilities, horticultural education, mental health research, and more. Each special interest grant is tied to the intentions of its donors and is directed toward improving life within the region. Among these opportunities, the Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund supports organizations and programs that assist people with disabilities, with a specific focus on providing training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This fund generally awards grants ranging between $5,000 and $10,000. Applications for this fund are due by October 1 each year. Proposals outside of the training context for intellectual disabilities will not be considered, making this fund highly focused in scope. Another key area is horticultural education, supported by the Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund. This fund encourages programs that promote horticulture education and has a noted preference for initiatives involving the Fred Heutte Center, the Norfolk Botanical Garden, and the Virginia Zoo. Grants under this fund range from $5,000 to $20,000, with the same October 1 deadline for application submission. Applicants are required to demonstrate how their initiatives align with the fund’s goals of fostering horticultural learning. Across all special interest grant categories, applicants must meet baseline eligibility requirements. Organizations must be recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits and must primarily serve residents of South Hampton Roads. In addition, applicants are expected to provide recent financial documentation. Acceptable forms include independently audited financial statements, a full IRS Form 990 or 990EZ, or in some specified cases, a 990-N paired with a profit and loss statement. These less formal documents are only accepted for animal welfare grants, the veterans’ fund, the Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund, the Laura Turner Fund, and the Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund. The application process is conducted online, and sample applications are available to guide prospective applicants. While most special interest grants share the common deadline of October 1, a few categories may have different closing dates, so applicants are advised to verify the specific timeline relevant to their chosen fund. Submissions are evaluated based on alignment with donor intent, organizational capacity, and the potential for measurable impact within South Hampton Roads communities. Grant awards are competitive and depend on available funding levels. For questions or further clarification, organizations can contact the Hampton Roads Community Foundation at its Norfolk office. The foundation is located at 101 W. Main Street, Suite 4500, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. General inquiries can be made by phone at (757) 622-7951 or via email at Info@HamptonRoadsCF.org. This centralized contact information applies across the special interest grant opportunities, ensuring that nonprofits have a direct avenue for guidance throughout the application process.

Applicants should review sample applications provided online.