Williamsburg Community Foundation Grant

The Williamsburg Community Foundation (WCF), a local philanthropic institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is offering Community Grants to support nonprofit organizations and government entities serving residents in the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. WCF’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Williamsburg area by connecting donors with causes that matter, managing charitable funds, and providing responsive and strategic grantmaking. The Foundation offers funding through both Unrestricted (Community Endowment) and Field-of-Interest funds. Community Grants provide up to $5,000 per applicant for programs and projects that align with WCF’s six primary funding priorities: Arts and Culture; Children and Young Adults; Community Health and Wellness & Economic Mobility; Environment and Conservation; Senior Services; and Capacity Building. Applicants are encouraged to identify which priority area their proposal aligns with. In addition, proposals may be considered for several Field-of-Interest funds without requiring separate applications. These include support for transportation, musical performances, the visual arts, women and girls, seniors, and biking initiatives. All applicants use a single streamlined application. During submission, applicants can indicate if they would like their proposal to be considered under Field-of-Interest funds. Awards may be funded from multiple sources within WCF, and this distribution will be detailed in the award notification. The Foundation strongly emphasizes community benefit, access, and capacity in its evaluation process. Applications are judged based on alignment with WCF’s mission, impact on underserved populations, operational viability, uniqueness or necessity of the program, past performance, and alignment with identified community needs. To be eligible, applicants must serve residents of the designated geographic area and be either a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, a private operating foundation, a qualified government entity, or a religious organization applying for secular community benefit purposes. Incomplete applications or those from ineligible applicants will not be considered. In general, repeat funding for the same project in consecutive years is not permitted, and certain activities such as partisan political efforts, individual aid, and core K–12 educational functions are ineligible unless specified by a supporting fund. The Foundation runs two grant cycles per year—spring and fall. Applications open approximately three months before each deadline. Exact dates vary annually and are posted on the Foundation’s application portal. All recipients are required to submit a report within one year detailing the grant’s usage and outcomes. Failure to submit reports on prior grants may disqualify an applicant from future funding unless a deadline extension is approved. The contact for the Williamsburg Community Foundation is located at 1323 Jamestown Road, Suite 103, Williamsburg, VA 23185. The Foundation can be reached at 757-259-1660 or via email through their official website. Office hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or by appointment. Applications are reviewed by Foundation staff and recommendations are approved by the Board of Trustees. Grant decisions are communicated following board meetings, and applicants may opt out of having their proposals shared with donors.