Animal Welfare Grant

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation administers a variety of Special Interest Grants through endowed funds created by charitable donors to address specific community concerns in South Hampton Roads, Virginia. These grants are designed to support nonprofit organizations that serve residents in this region and align with the designated areas of interest outlined by the foundation. The Special Interest program reflects the foundation’s longstanding commitment to improving quality of life in Hampton Roads through targeted philanthropic investment. Each endowment within this program represents the vision of individuals and families who have chosen to dedicate their resources to particular causes of significance. The purpose of the Special Interest Grants is to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations addressing critical needs or advancing initiatives within one of eleven defined categories. These categories include abuse survivor support, animal welfare, developmental disabilities, horticultural education, mental health research, community activities on the Peninsula, music and piano-related programs, and veterans' support, among others. Each fund is designed to ensure that donor intent is honored while also providing resources to local organizations that can demonstrate measurable impact within their area of service. For example, the Barbara Upton Wilson Fund, the Emil J. Gasser, Jr. Fund, and the Colenda Fund jointly support animal welfare programs with grant awards ranging between $2,500 and $10,000. Eligibility is limited to organizations holding 501(c)(3) nonprofit status that serve residents of South Hampton Roads, unless otherwise specified by the fund. Applicants must also provide appropriate financial documentation as part of their application. The foundation accepts either independently audited financial statements or a full IRS Form 990 or 990EZ. For certain funds such as the animal welfare opportunity, veterans, Jennifer Lynn Gray Fund, Laura Turner Fund, and Mary E. and Curtis M. Chappell Jr. Fund, applicants may submit a 990-N paired with a profit and loss statement. These requirements are intended to ensure financial accountability while also maintaining accessibility for smaller nonprofits that may not have the capacity for full audits. The application process for most Special Interest Grants follows an annual deadline of October 1. Some funds may operate on different timelines, so applicants are advised to review each opportunity carefully. All applications must be submitted online using the foundation’s grant portal. The foundation does not explicitly identify pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers, and applications are considered complete upon submission of the required materials by the published deadline. Once submitted, applications are reviewed by the foundation in accordance with the donor intent of each fund. Evaluation is based on alignment with the designated area of interest, organizational capacity, and the potential for measurable community impact. The Special Interest Grants program operates as a recurring annual opportunity. This means organizations that may not be prepared to apply in the current year can anticipate another cycle in the following year. Since most deadlines fall on October 1, nonprofits can plan their grantseeking strategies around this recurring schedule. Application reviews and awards are managed directly by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation staff, with funding decisions guided by both donor intent and the foundation’s assessment of community needs. The foundation encourages organizations to contact staff directly with questions in advance of deadlines. Applicants may reach the Hampton Roads Community Foundation at its main office, located at 101 W. Main Street, Suite 4500, Norfolk, Virginia 23510. Contact is available by phone at (757) 622-7951 or by email at Info@HamptonRoadsCF.org. These points of contact are intended for applicants seeking clarification on eligibility, documentation requirements, or technical support with the application process. The foundation also provides resources such as a sample application, call-in days, nonprofit training, and a grant seekers’ toolkit to help organizations prepare strong submissions. By offering both funding and support services, the Special Interest Grants reflect the foundation’s dual commitment to stewardship of donor intent and capacity-building for nonprofits in South Hampton Roads.

The foundation encourages applicants to review sample applications, utilize call-in days, and explore nonprofit training resources available through the website.