Foundation-Initiated Grants

The Cabell Foundation, established in 1957 by Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell, is a private, non-operating foundation dedicated to supporting the long-term capital needs of nonprofit organizations across Virginia. While its general competitive grants are the most visible part of its work, the Foundation also reserves the right to initiate its own funding partnerships outside of the standard application cycle. These Foundation-Initiated Grants reflect strategic priorities determined by the board and are used to support specific organizations or systems requiring additional focus or catalytic investment. Foundation-Initiated Grants are not awarded through an open application process. Instead, these grants originate internally based on the Foundation's assessment of sector needs, organizational potential, and alignment with its broader philanthropic goals. The board may identify an area or organization they believe can benefit from targeted investment, whether to scale impact, strengthen operations, or advance innovative planning. The resulting grants may be used for activities such as seed funding, planning initiatives, or organizational development. Unlike the capital-intensive focus of the semi-annual competitive program, these grants may span a wider range of use cases, albeit still within the Foundation’s broader focus areas including education, social services, the arts, historic preservation, community development, and environmental stewardship. Grants under this stream may be multi-year in duration, and funding levels are based on mutually agreed benchmarks and deliverables. Once the Foundation expresses interest in partnering, the prospective grantee is required to meet all of the Foundation's general eligibility requirements. This includes being a 501(c)(3) organization not classified as a private foundation under IRS Section 509(a), operating primarily within the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Richmond region continues to receive preference, although statewide agencies may also be considered. A distinguishing feature of Foundation-Initiated Grants is the collaborative planning process. Grantees work directly with the Executive Director to define project scope, set goals, agree on performance benchmarks, and establish reporting timelines. Unlike the standard cycle, these grants may be awarded outside of the semi-annual review calendar, though they are generally incorporated into the Foundation’s regular meeting schedule when possible. The grants are closely monitored, with reporting expectations set through negotiation with the Executive Director rather than by fixed templates. There is no formal invitation process or public call for proposals under this grant stream. Prospective grantees may not request to be considered for a Foundation-Initiated Grant; rather, they must be approached by the Foundation. However, organizations are encouraged to remain engaged with the Foundation by submitting contact forms and maintaining communication, which may help surface opportunities for future collaboration. As with all grants from the Foundation, a report summarizing impact, community response, and fund utilization is required upon completion of the grant term.