Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham Grant

The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham (TCFHR) provides a streamlined process through which eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for inclusion in the Giving Back Guide and be considered for several restricted Community Grants. This centralized application portal opens annually on July 1 and remains available through September 1. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations holding 501(c)(3) status that are physically located in and serve Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Notably, schools and churches are not eligible to apply under this opportunity. The application process begins with an eligibility quiz to determine which grants the applicant may be considered for. Based on the outcome, the organization is either directed to complete a Community Grant application or provide information for the Giving Back Guide. Organizations that qualify for restricted Community Grants need only submit a single application, which serves both as a grant application and a submission for the Giving Back Guide. These grants are distributed from various donor-advised and endowment funds and are designated for specific programmatic areas such as the arts, food pantries, healthcare, animal welfare, and mental health services for children. Some restricted grants include significant funding levels, such as the Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts, which provides over $60,000 annually, and the Alvin J. Baird Jr. Program Endowment Fund, with over $44,000 available each year. Meanwhile, smaller funds like the Sean Warner Memorial Endowment Fund provide approximately $500 biennially for targeted emotional support programs. The Giving Back Guide itself is a separate, strategic initiative by TCFHR to elevate the visibility of local nonprofits. All qualifying organizations are profiled in this annual publication, which features one-page summaries of each organization’s mission, accomplishments, and funding needs. This resource is widely distributed to the public, media, and donor networks in both print and digital formats beginning in mid-November. TCFHR uses the Guide throughout the year to facilitate donor conversations and encourage giving. In addition to the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area, the Little Swiss Fund supports nonprofit organizations based in Highland County, Virginia. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) entities located in and serving Highland County, demonstrate broad volunteer support, and have annual revenues exceeding $25,000. This fund distributes over $500,000 annually and supports multiple recipients. The application is accessible online and includes both an eligibility quiz and guided questions for either the Giving Back Guide or relevant grant applications. Application types include project-specific funding, general programming support, capital expenditures, and unrestricted funding for needs such as equipment and materials. TCFHR emphasizes that each applicant will be guided into the appropriate application path based on their eligibility and programmatic alignment with available grants. Applicants and interested parties can contact TCFHR for more information. General inquiries can be directed to their main office by phone at 540-432-3863. The organization is located at 317 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, and mail can be sent to P.O. Box 1068, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays.