Veterans Grant

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, dedicated to strengthening the South Hampton Roads region through grantmaking, scholarships, and community leadership. The foundation administers a number of special interest funds that were established by charitable individuals to address specific needs and areas of concern in the community. Through these endowments, the foundation channels resources to nonprofit organizations serving residents in South Hampton Roads. Special interest grants are an integral part of its portfolio and provide targeted funding aligned with donor intent and community priorities. The foundation’s Special Interest Grants cover 11 distinct areas of focus, each connected to a fund or group of funds created by donors. These areas include abuse survivors, animal welfare, developmental disabilities, horticultural education, mental health research, nursing and related healthcare fields, regional activities on the Peninsula, piano support, and veterans. Each category is supported by dedicated funds such as the Sue Cook Winfrey Fund for abuse survivors, the Julian Haden Gary and Margaret Savage Gary Fund for horticultural education, and the Emil J. Gasser, Jr. and Colenda Funds for veterans. The scope of these grants is broad, but applicants must align their proposals with the specified focus area relevant to the fund. Most of the special interest funds have an annual deadline of October 1, though the foundation notes that some opportunities may have alternate due dates. Applicants must review the eligibility requirements carefully to ensure compliance. In general, applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads. The foundation requires applicants to provide recent independently audited financial statements or a complete IRS Form 990 or 990EZ. For certain funds, such as animal welfare, veterans, and developmental disability-related opportunities, organizations may submit a 990-N accompanied by a profit and loss statement in lieu of an audit or full 990. The Veterans Fund, supported by the Emil J. Gasser, Jr. Fund and the Colenda Fund, is an example of a specialized opportunity within this program. It provides support for nonprofit organizations serving veterans, with a preference for programs that assist veterans with disabilities. Award amounts for this category are capped at $5,000. Applications for this opportunity are due October 1, reinforcing the standard cycle that governs most of the special interest funds. While funding ceilings are identified for this category, most other funds in the program do not list specific award amounts publicly. The application process for special interest grants is conducted online through the foundation’s portal. Applicants are encouraged to review sample applications in advance. Required documentation includes financial statements as described above. In addition, applicants should prepare to demonstrate how their proposed activities align with the donor-established purposes of the relevant fund. While the foundation does not explicitly publish evaluation criteria, alignment with donor intent, community impact, and organizational capacity are implied factors in the review process. Organizations are encouraged to reach out to the foundation directly with any questions. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation provides a central point of contact for grant inquiries at its Norfolk office. Interested applicants may call the foundation at (757) 622-7951 or email Info@HamptonRoadsCF.org for assistance. The office is located at 101 W. Main Street, Suite 4500, Norfolk, VA 23510. With an established record of philanthropic leadership in the region, the foundation continues to work with donors and nonprofits to meet targeted needs across South Hampton Roads, strengthening the community through donor-driven support.