Shenandoah Community Foundation’s Community Grants

The Shenandoah Community Foundation administers two annual grant programs designed to support nonprofit and community-based initiatives that serve Shenandoah County, Virginia. The Foundation is a locally focused philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering the quality of life in Shenandoah County through targeted investments in community well-being. The Foundation’s approach to grantmaking emphasizes collaboration and responsiveness to local needs, and it invites community organizations to present solutions that build on regional strengths or address key challenges. The Community Grants program is one of two principal funding streams currently offered by the Foundation. Grants through this program are awarded across six broad areas: Arts and Culture, Civic Affairs, Education, Environment, Health, and Family, Child, and Social Services. While these are the primary focus areas, the Foundation remains open to compelling proposals that fall outside these categories but clearly demonstrate a strong and direct benefit to Shenandoah County residents. This inclusive and adaptive philosophy underpins the Foundation’s efforts to remain relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the community. All proposed projects must either take place within Shenandoah County or clearly demonstrate direct benefit to its residents. Applicants are encouraged to articulate how their project or program aligns with one or more of the Foundation’s focus areas and how the funding will lead to measurable positive outcomes for the community. While the Foundation does not specify required or prohibited uses of funds in its summary, proposals should adhere to nonprofit best practices and demonstrate fiscal responsibility, community impact, and organizational capacity. The grant application process is now open for the current funding cycle. Applications must be submitted no later than July 15, 2025. The Foundation did not list a specific award announcement date or anticipated date of disbursement, nor were any pre-application requirements, letters of intent, or Q&A periods mentioned. As such, applicants should treat July 15 as the hard deadline and ensure complete application packages are submitted on or before that date. Evaluation criteria were not described in detail in the source material, but based on the stated focus areas and mission alignment, it is likely that proposals will be reviewed based on community impact, feasibility, alignment with one or more funding areas, and organizational credibility. Applicants are encouraged to clearly outline expected outcomes, sustainability, and alignment with community needs. For further information or questions about the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact the Shenandoah Community Foundation by phone at 540-465-1444. The Foundation did not provide a contact email or a downloadable application guide in the summary, so phone inquiries are currently the recommended contact method. As the program is offered on an annual basis, applicants can anticipate a similar cycle in the following year, and interested parties are advised to monitor the Foundation’s website or reach out directly to stay informed on future opportunities.