Community Assistance Grant

The Community Assistance Grant (CAG), administered by the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation (NPCF), is a targeted funding initiative aimed at supporting nonprofits that serve the communities of Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Culpeper counties in Virginia. NPCF, a private grantmaking organization, is committed to enhancing the quality of life in its region through philanthropic investment and stewardship. The CAG is the only grant cycle administered by NPCF that includes a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) stage, creating a unique two-step application process that begins with an online LOI submission followed by an invitation-only full application. The CAG program is designed to provide flexible, unrestricted support to 501(c)(3) organizations that have been operational for at least three years and are actively engaged in meeting the ongoing or emergent needs of their communities. Emergent needs refer to pressing issues that require immediate action to alleviate hardship. Funding may be used for sustaining existing programs, expanding program reach, improving quality, launching new initiatives, or acquiring necessary equipment, supplies, or training. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, with emphasis on proposals demonstrating community collaboration, strong organizational management, and a history of successful outcomes. The application cycle begins with the LOI window from January 5 to January 19, 2026. All LOIs must be submitted online via the NPCF grants portal—emails or physical letters are not accepted. Applicants are encouraged to be concise while providing essential details, including an organizational overview, a project description, its relevance to current community needs, the population and geographic area served, anticipated outcomes, and an evaluation plan. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full application during the application window from January 28 to February 16, 2026. Eligibility is restricted to 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving the designated three-county area and excludes individuals, for-profits, fundraising events, and religious or political initiatives. NPCF requires applicants to adhere to a non-discrimination policy aligned with its own values. Proposed programs must focus on direct services and show a potential to create sustainable community impact. Grant decisions are made by NPCF’s evaluators based on alignment with the Foundation’s strategic goals, the quality and feasibility of the proposed work, and the demonstrated need within the applicant’s service area. Priority is given to programs that show strong leadership, clear planning, and measurable results. Successful grantees must use awarded funds strictly for the purposes outlined in their applications and return any unused amounts. For more information or assistance, applicants may contact NPCF staff, including Executive Director Jim LaGraffe at jlagraffe@npcf.org or Program/Outreach lead Renard Carlos at rcarlos@npcf.org. NPCF's office is located at 321 Walker Drive, Suite 303, Warrenton, VA 20186. As this grant is offered annually, applicants not selected are encouraged to reapply in future cycles.

Be concise in LOI; highlight emergent need; show collaboration and prior impact.