Virginia Capacity Building Grants

The Women's Entrepreneur Grant Opportunity aims to support women-owned businesses in Fairfax City by providing consultation and capacity-building services to facilitate their growth, expansion, and development. Eligible businesses can receive services valued at up to $5,000, which cover areas such as marketing, operations, accounting, and finance. The grant funds will be awarded upfront, and recipients will be notified by September 20, 2024, with recognition at the Women’s Entrepreneur Empowerment Luncheon on September 25, 2024. To be eligible, businesses must be at least 51% owned and controlled by women, licensed within Fairfax City, and can be home-based or have one or more locations within the city. Start-ups and expanding businesses are also eligible, while non-profits are not. The application process involves verifying eligibility, completing and submitting the application form, identifying required services, obtaining quotes, and undergoing a review based on merit.

The Venable Foundation provides grants to promote the health and well-being of the communities where Venable’s clients and employees work and live. Donor Name: Venable Foundation State: California, Virginia County: Arlington County (VA), City of Alexandria (VA), City of Falls Church (VA), Fairfax County (VA), Los Angeles County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Venable Foundation envisions that its philanthropic investments provide essential resources to nonprofit organizations in communities across the country. Guided by the belief that everyone has the right to equitable employment opportunities, healthcare, housing, food, and a vibrant cultural community, Venable grantees ensure that economically disadvantaged people are given the tools they need to thrive. Grant support is provided to assist with general operations and projects. Currently, the Venable Foundation’s funding priorities include: Human Services The Foundation has a strong track record of supporting a breadth of essential human services, including programs that impact people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, incarcerated and returning citizens, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, and those affected by domestic violence and housing insecurity. Legal Services Foundation supported the delivery of free or affordable legal services in their communities. Pro bono consulting and representation focus on a variety of issues, including domestic violence, housing, immigration, public benefits, and discrimination, among other areas. Legal service nonprofits providing “know your rights” training and other activities are also supported. The Foundation also supports training for youth and adults to ensure diversity and access to careers in the legal profession. Education The Foundation supports a wide array of early childhood, in-school, and out-of-school time initiatives that provide in-depth opportunities for learning and engagement to position children for success and level the playing field for economically disadvantaged youth. Workforce Development Foundation believes that every individual deserves the opportunity to pursue gainful employment. Thus, they support organizations with the goal of developing the workforce of today and tomorrow. Successful programs recruit and train individuals and place them in relevant jobs so that they can earn a sustainable living wage for themselves and their families. Skill development is focused on low-income, underemployed, and unemployed community members, and on preparing youth for careers after their schooling is complete. Youth Impact The Foundation invests in services that impact children in each of their communities. These initiatives ensure economically disadvantaged youth are healthy and safe and have opportunities to thrive. Health The Foundation is committed to improving wellness and increasing access to care for economically disadvantaged individuals in the region. Successful organizations and programs work to eliminate barriers to healthcare for all ages and provide accessible and no-stigma testing for a variety of diseases. They support pediatric to geriatric services that address a variety of health concerns. Environment Foundation supports organizations involved in the preservation of our natural resources and those that are addressing natural or man-made disasters in their target regions. Programs educate communities and work for change on a variety of environmental issues, from wildfires to pollution. Arts and Culture The Foundation supports initiatives in the arts that promote deeper public engagement and build up the creative economy, with an emphasis on low-income and underserved communities. Funding Information The average size of a Venable Foundation grant is approximately $10,000.  Eligibility Criteria  The Foundation provides funding for place-based organizations and initiatives, meaning that organizations must be based in or impacting regions where Venable has major offices. Funding is prioritized to the following locations: Washington, DC and Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria, and Falls Church Baltimore City and County New York City, specifically within the five boroughs Los Angeles City and County San Francisco Bay Area, with an emphasis on San Francisco Chicago, specifically within the city but extending into Cook County Miami The Foundation makes grants to charitable organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply once per calendar year. The Foundation does not fund projects that promote or proselytize on behalf of any religion. The Foundation does not fund organizations that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any veteran’s status. Furthermore, the Foundation does not support research or funding to individual schools or parent/teacher associations, and will not provide sponsorship support for special events, galas, or other fundraisers. For more information, visit Venable Foundation.

READY Community Foundations, part of ARC's READY Appalachia initiative, offers no-cost training to community foundations in Appalachia. Participants will build skills in financial management, fundraising, grantmaking, and strategic planning. Eligible foundations can apply for up to $25,000 in funding to implement capacity-building projects post-training. Applications are due by July 5, 2024.

The Community Climate Action Grant program supports creative local projects that build capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Albemarle County. Donor Name: Albemarle County State: Virginia County: Albemarle County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/07/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program’s purpose is to leverage community resources outside local government to help implement the County’s Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2020 by the Board of Supervisors. These Community Climate Action Grants will help make local climate action a more inclusive, participatory process. Local community groups and organizations can apply through a competitive process to receive a grant that will support a project that tangibly advances the goals, strategies, and actions of the County’s Climate Action Plan. Projects can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in transportation, buildings, waste, agriculture, and natural areas; projects can also contribute to increasing carbon sequestration in agriculture or natural systems. Program Goals  Funds will be awarded to projects that address four program goals: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Advance equity and inclusion Build community Support thoughtful and achievable projects. Funding Information Grant requests may range from $5,000 to $25,000. The request can represent the total proposed project budget or a fraction of a larger project budget with additional funding sources beyond Albemarle County. The total amount of funding available for 2024 is $100,000. Who may apply? Organizations or groups applying must be principally and physically located in Albemarle County. Any applicant or partnering group located outside of Albemarle County must demonstrate that the population or area served will primarily be people or places within Albemarle County. Eligible applicants must be community-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or community-based organizations affiliated with a 501(c)(3) willing to serve as a fiscal sponsor. For more information, visit Albemarle County.

This program provides funding to small businesses and eligible nonprofits in Portsmouth, Virginia, to support their growth and infrastructure improvements through a matching reimbursement model.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public schools in selected states to implement sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and community resilience programs that enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in their communities.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Portsmouth, Virginia, that are newly established or have been operating for up to three years, helping them with essential development expenses to promote growth and entrepreneurship.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Virginia-based local governments and non-profit organizations for projects aimed at preventing and addressing family violence through training or direct services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and religious institutions working to improve the quality of life for residents in Louisa County through community-focused projects.

This program provides free training and funding opportunities to nonprofit organizations in the Appalachian region, helping them build capacity to better address community challenges and improve their operational effectiveness.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on improving their services for low- to moderate-income and historically underserved communities through strategic investments in planning, staff development, and technology.

This grant provides financial support to licensed child care providers in Loudoun County, Virginia, to improve early childhood education quality through enhancements in classroom environments and professional development.

This funding opportunity supports local nonprofits in Fairfax, Virginia, that provide essential human services aimed at prevention, crisis intervention, long-term support, and improving the quality of life for city residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible organizations working to improve food access and nutrition equity for residents of Arlington County, Virginia.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations led by Black people and those of the global majority in the Washington, DC area, focusing on innovative and disruptive efforts to advance racial justice and community self-determination.

This program provides funding to food retailers and innovative food initiatives in Virginia's low-income communities to improve access to fresh foods and promote food security.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Virginia that are focused on improving community welfare and quality of life, with an emphasis on projects that demonstrate strong planning and sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small nonprofits and local governments in the Chesapeake Bay region to strengthen their organizational capacity and enhance community and environmental initiatives.

This program provides matching funds to nonprofit organizations in specific U.S. regions for energy efficiency upgrades to their existing buildings, helping them save on utility costs and enhance sustainability.

This grant provides funding to government entities and nonprofit organizations for projects that protect land, enhance community resilience, and support conservation planning in the Appalachian Trail region.