Virginia Food and Nutrition Grants

This grant provides financial assistance to new and recently established small businesses and non-profit organizations in Portsmouth, Virginia, to help them grow and enhance their operational capabilities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Richmond, Virginia area for projects in healthcare, education, human services, arts, culture, and religion.

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 grant provides funding to non-profit organizations in Northern Virginia that aim to improve health equity and reduce disparities for low-income, uninsured, or underinsured residents through capacity building and community engagement initiatives.

The Town of Christiansburg in Virginia is offering a matching grant of up to $5,000 to for-profit business owners for improving their building façades in the town's historic central business areas, with the aim of encouraging investment and revitalization of buildings at least 50 years old.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Charlottesville and Albemarle County that empower children and families through culinary education and improve access to healthy food for under-resourced community members.

Whether you’re expanding a business, innovating your industry, or aspiring to be an entrepreneur, the Idea Factory powered by Startup Virginia helps you build solutions people want based on insights, not assumptions. Donor Name: Startup Virginia State: Virginia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Creating a new business or product is an exciting journey, but having a great idea is not enough. Ideas must be based on insights, not assumptions, to ensure you build solutions people really want. At the Idea Factory, you’ll learn about customer discovery – the entrepreneur’s secret weapon. It’s the process of uncovering customers’ needs, wants, and pain points before building the product. It’s about getting out of your own head and into the minds of your potential customers. Increase Your Chances of Success Startups that actively engage in customer discovery are twice as likely to succeed as those that don’t. Become a Better Communicator Learn to ask the right questions, listen actively, and build customer relationships. Develop Products Customers Love Identify the problems your customers are struggling with and create solutions they want. Gain a Competitive Edge Understanding your customers is what sets you apart, giving you a significant advantage over competitors. Who’s it for? Anyone in Virginia with an innovative idea for a new or existing business Considering building a new product, service, or way to scale your business? Working on an innovative solution to a problem and considering starting a business? Passionate about solving a particular problem and don’t know how to begin? What are the outcomes? Learn the customer discovery process Identify your potential customers Build a target customer database Hone your interviewing and surveying skills Gain customer insights and identify the best business ideas Receive guidance for the next steps for your idea. For more information, visit Startup Virginia.

The Twice is Nice Fund at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation seeks innovative proposals from local nonprofit agencies who provide services to local seniors in need. Donor Name: Charlottesville Area Community Foundation State: Virginia County: Albemarle County (VA), Fluvanna County (VA), Greene County (VA), Louisa County (VA), Nelson County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/29/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Twice Is Nice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to raise revenue to support programs that benefit seniors in need. They do this by promoting sustainability through the resale of donated clothing, furniture, and household items. These grants will support specific programs/activities or general operations, thus advancing solutions to solve caregiving challenges and enhance the well-being of seniors in the community. Partnerships between organizations are encouraged, but optional, as are letters of support from partners, community members, and other stakeholders.                 Funding Information Requests that align with TIN’s stated emphasis and do not exceed $15,000 are encouraged. Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) organization, governmental agency, faith group, or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization. Twice is Nice will consider applications from organizations working to benefit vulnerable seniors in the City of Charlottesville and/or the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. Twice is Nice does not support building or capital campaigns through its discretionary fund grant programs. Small scale renovations that improve home safety and promote aging in place are permissible. Organizations may submit one application per TIN’s annual grant cycle. Evaluation Criteria The TIN Grants Review Committee will use the following criteria when reviewing proposals. Community Benefit – the proposed activity is responsive to the real needs of vulnerable seniors and advances equity and inclusion for that part of the community. Leadership – the leadership and personnel of the organization have the requisite skills and experience to carry out the proposed activities. Capacity and Feasibility – the organization has the programmatic approach and resources to conduct the proposed activity. Ideally, the value of gift-in-kind and volunteer resources are captured to demonstrate the full capacity of an applicant. Financial Health/Stability – the organization has a healthy budget and can complete the proposed activity with the available internal and external resources, including the use and results of previous TIN grants. Partnerships – the organization is aware of other organizations working on similar or related issues, and, when appropriate for achieving shared goals, has developed partnerships that are contributing to the success of the initiative. For more information, visit CACF.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is excited to announce the Norfolk Southern Hampton Roads Community Fund Grant. Donor Name: Hampton Roads Community Foundation State: Virginia County: Isle of Wight County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Norfolk Southern has been a long-standing supporter of the Hampton Roads nonprofit community. While it has transitioned its corporate headquarters to Atlanta, the company is committed to the Hampton Roads community and engaging with nonprofit organizations in the region. Norfolk Southern and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation will be distributing $1 million each year over five years through the Norfolk Southern Hampton Roads Community Fund to nonprofits working to make life better in the region. Grantmaking Priorities Grant applications should explain how your organization addresses one or more of the following priority impact areas: Education and Workforce Development Preventing middle- and high-school students from dropping out of school Engaging youth in successfully transitioning from high school into collegiate education or career-based certificate programs Creating pathways to employment for adults with barriers to self-sufficiency Enriching the Community Providing support for organizations addressing food insecurity Improving access to mental health support Preventing and ending homelessness and housing instability Enhancing equity and inclusion by accelerating the advancement of historically underrepresented groups and people Enriching the human experience through arts and culture Improving public health and safety Sustainability Restoring and protecting the region’s land, forests, and natural waterways Improving the region’s ability to adapt to the impacts of sea-level rise. They strongly encourage organizations that are led by and serve historically underrepresented groups and communities to apply. Funding Information Organization Budget Size: Under $1,000,000 Grant Award Range: $5,000 – $25,000 Organization Budget Size: $1,000,000 – $5,000,000 Grant Award Range: $10,000 – $50,000 Organization Budget Size: Over $5,000,000 Grant Award Range: $15,000 – $100,000. Eligibility Criteria  Nonprofit, 501(c)3 organizations, with some limitations (see below) may apply that are:  Serving residents in South Hampton Roads, which includes Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach.  In good standing with the Internal Revenue Service and have been operational since at least January 1, 2022.  Be governed by a board with membership of at least four individuals not including the CEO or Executive Director. Can provide financial statements for a completed fiscal year and an operating budget with revenues and expenses, with a preference for audited financial statements or a recent IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ. For more information, visit HRCF.

Is your organization interested in creating a rain garden, planting trees, installing rain barrels, or capturing the rain on your land in another way? If, yes then apply for the Retain Your Rain Mini-Grant Program. Donor Name: City of Norfolk State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Twice a year the City of Norfolk awards up to $2500 to neighborhood organizations or other nonprofits to support Retain Your Rain projects. Eligibility Criteria Nonprofit organizations Any Norfolk civic league or neighborhood association that is a state legal entity with nonprofit status Organizations that do not have nonprofit status (businesses, schools, churches, etc) that apply in collaboration with a nonprofit Other Requirements Must provide documentation to prove nonprofit status of organization Must agree to hold a volunteer event or an alternative outreach effort prior to grant close out Organizations selected for grant funding must submit a W-9  For more information, visit City of Norfolk.

The Virginia Department of Health is inviting applicants for its Richmond Health Equity Fund. Donor Name: Virginia Department of Health State: Virginia City: Richmond Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/23/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Health Equity Fund seeks to fill gaps in funding and resources for vital, innovative, and impactful initiatives that serve the Richmond City community. Richmond-based single organizations, collaboratives, and individual leaders providing services in the following health disparity focus areas—along with other emergent health outcomes where Richmond’s populations have disparate burdens—are all eligible to apply: Access to care and health education Food access and security Maternal and child health Mental and behavioral health Substance use, treatment, and recovery Underlying health conditions For more information, visit Virginia Department of Health.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its Community Grants for Health & Wellness to improve the health of the region’s citizens. Donor Name: Hampton Roads Community Foundation State: Virginia County: Accomack County (VA), Isle of Wight County (VA), Northampton County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Many factors contribute to a person’s health and wellness: genetics, education, individual behavior, environment and access to quality health care. For under-resourced populations access to affordable, quality health care (primary, oral or behavioral) can be challenging. Unhealthy behaviors can lead to chronic diseases. Becoming more informed about the causes of chronic disease can lead to behavioral changes that prevent or decrease these disease. Efforts supported include: Programs that support participant access to primary, dental, and/or mental/behavioral health. Behavioral health includes substance/drug abuse treatment. Sustained programs that encourage healthy behaviors that are known to reduce chronic diseases (e.g. Type II diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease) in populations that typically have a high rate of health disparity. Preference will be given to programs that place an emphasis on improving participants’ health literacy. Grant proposals should address one or more of the following outcomes: Individuals with health disparities connect with a medical home and receive care/treatment that leads to an improved health status. Individuals who access oral care programs complete a dental treatment plan. Behavioral health needs or conditions of clients are improved. Participants increase their knowledge of chronic disease conditions and exhibit healthy behaviors that lead to improved health. Eligibility Criteria The Hampton Roads Community Foundation welcomes grant applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads, including those in: Chesapeake Eastern Shore of Virginia (Accomack and Northampton counties)* Franklin Isle of Wight County Norfolk Portsmouth Suffolk Virginia Beach For more information, visit HRCF.

The Arlington County Department of Human Services announces a grant funding opportunity to support the implementation of its Food Security Strategic Plan. Donor Name: Arlington County Department of Human Services State: Virginia County: Arlington County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Awards will be granted based in part on an organization’s ability to address selected goals and strategies outlined in the Strategic Plan. Organizations may apply for a single project, and the maximum grant award is $25,000. Funding awards will be announced in September 2024. Funds must be spent by organizations by June 30, 2025. Funding Uses A food pantry purchasing software to better track clients and usage data. A food pantry, meal program, or housing program purchasing reusable bags or boxes to use in delivery efforts or single-use containers to distribute rescued food. A nutrition education provider who will teach a nutrition curriculum to a certain population of residents. A small food pantry purchasing a refrigerator or freezer to be able to offer produce, dairy and/or meat to clients. Funding Information The maximum grant award is $25,000. Grant Period  October 2024 through June 30, 2025 Eligible Activities To be eligible, projects must support at least one of the following strategies of the Strategic Plan. Systemic Change Improve nutrition equity by working to eliminate, reduce, and prevent disparities in food security policies, procedures, and practices to ensure that all those in need of food assistance receive the support they need. Food Access Enhance school-based supplemental food offerings, including food pantries, in-school snacks, and weekend food support. Establish new charitable food distributions in neighborhoods with unmet need. Increase capacity to deliver charitable food to those unable to access available resources. Increase food rescue & redistribution operations. Enhance and improve existing food assistance programs serving Arlington residents. Outreach & Education Promote food assistance resources and assist residents with enrolling in programs for which they may be eligible. Implement a coordinated SNAP outreach campaign. Increase nutrition education opportunities for residents of all ages. Partner with resident community leaders to share information about resources in key languages and provide compensation for their work. Capacity Building Develop training materials to inform social services staff and volunteers about food assistance programs, specifically SNAP and WIC, and help residents apply. Provide trauma-informed care training for staff & volunteers working with food insecure residents. Create a cultural foods guide for charitable food providers with partners from the region. Increase the capacity to share locally-grown produce from gardeners and farms with food pantries through expanded donation processing infrastructure. Collaborate with Arlington Public Schools (APS) through its forums to review existing programs and practices and address food equity. Informed Decision Making Use varied levels of engagement to encourage food assistance recipients to provide valuable feedback on programs and services. Collect data from food assistance organizations that provides information about usage trends and services provided. Eligibility Criteria Eligible organizations must serve or wish to serve Arlington residents through one of the above-listed strategies outlined in the Food Security Strategic Plan and be either: an IRS designated 501c3 nonprofit organization OR a faith-based organization OR a public school or university Organizations may be based in other jurisdictions, provided that the proposed project benefits eligible Arlington County residents. If projects are sponsored by faith-based organizations, outreach efforts and services must be provided to any eligible beneficiary, regardless of affiliation. Programs cannot be marketed exclusively to members of the sponsoring organization’s religious affiliation or denomination, and proselytizing while providing services related to this grant funding is prohibited. For more information, visit ACV.

Community Climate Collaborative Energy Efficiency Grants are available to small businesses for energy efficiency upgrades (appliances, lighting, heating/cooling systems, etc). Donor Name: Community Climate Collaborative State: Virginia County: Albemarle County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal is to help businesses achieve emissions reductions and financial savings through capital investment. Funding Information Grants are up to $2,000 each! Eligibility Criteria Have a business license in the City of Charlottesville or County of Albemarle. Qualify as a Microbusiness by Virginia SBSD criteria (25 employees or fewer). Preference will be given to Woman- or Minority-owned Business as defined by Virginia SBSD criteria. SWaM certification is desired, but equivalence is acceptable with valid documentation. Proposed upgrade must have demonstrable savings of energy usage and/or reduction of emissions. For more information, visit Community Climate Collaborative.

The Twin County Community Foundation (TCCF) is accepting applications 2025 grant program. Donor Name: Twin County Community Foundation (TCCF) State: Virginia County: Carroll County (VA), Grayson County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Twin County Community Foundation offers three (3) different types of funding opportunities. These opportunities include Project-Based, Capacity Building, or Capital Needs applications. Project-Based Grants: These grants are awarded to projects or programs that offer services that will be provided within the community. Projects clearly demonstrate a need in the community, have measurable outcomes, provide activities or services to meet the needs and obtain the outcomes, and are existing or new programs within the Twin Counties. Capacity Building Grants: Capacity building can be defined as the process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations need to survive, adapt, and thrive in a fast-changing world. It is important for organizations to have strong internal and external controls in order to be viable, sustaining, and able to fully meet their missions. A strong organization helps to strengthen the community. Capacity building activities may include the following: Training and/or training resources Strategic planning Use of consultants for organizational assistance Investing in new IT capacities. Priorities The Twin County Community Foundation (TCCF) provides grant opportunities to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations (or government entities) serving Carroll County, Grayson County and the City of Galax in Virginia. TCCF strives to support organizations seeking to promote and/or improve the health of citizens including but not limited to meeting unmet needs, supporting health education, and programs geared toward improving and/or reducing illness and disease. Priority will be given to projects related to the following: Unmet Healthcare needs Obesity Health and Nutritional Issues Mental Health Health Education Substance Abuse Prevention EnvironMental Health. Funding Information Project-Based Grants: At the present time the Foundation has not set limits on the size of grants. Capacity Building Grants: Funding limit is $2,000. Capital Needs Grants: Funding limit is $10,000. Eligibility Criteria  Additionally, the Foundation may carry out other charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Board, in making grant decisions, will place the greatest priority on projects that: Meet the specific priorities noted above. Are accompanied by matching funds from other sources. Have little or no administrative overhead expenses as the Board believes these expenses should be provided by the organization through matching funds. Funding may be provided for support or direct staff positions, but little or no support for administrative positions. Are not of a recurring nature unless the project and the need(s) it serves requires otherwise. The Board recognizes the need for and encourages new projects (i.e., projects not traditionally funded via other sources such as United Way, etc.) For more information, visit TCCF.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is currently accepting applications for the spring round of the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Infrastructure Grant program. Donor Name: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) State: Virginia County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The AFID Infrastructure Program is focused on awarding reimbursable grants primarily for capital projects at new and existing food hubs, farmers’ markets, commercial kitchens and other value-added facilities such as those used for processing and packaging meats, dairy products, produce, or other Virginia-grown products. Small farmers, food producers, local food systems advocates and others interested in building their community’s local food and farming infrastructure are encouraged to learn more about the program and work with their localities to identify and develop suitable projects. Project Types  Projects receiving funding through the AFID Infrastructure Program must be infrastructure development projects that directly support local food production and sustainable agriculture/forestry and demonstrate a broad community benefit. Grant funds should be used primarily for capital expenditures. Priority Project Types Consideration will be given to the following project types: Processing facilities that are primarily locally owned, including commercial kitchens, packaging and labeling facilities, animal slaughtering facilities, or other facilities, and that are primarily utilized for the processing of meats, dairy products, produce, or other products. Farmers markets. Food hubs and other agricultural aggregation facilities. Funding Information The maximum award per grant is $50,000. Eligibility Criteria  Applications must be made by a political subdivision of the Commonwealth, typically Counties and Cities, but also Towns, Industrial and Economic Development Authorities, or Planning District Commissions. Applications may be made on behalf of more than one locality, provided each applicant contributes matching funds and a single political subdivision serves as the lead applicant and grant administrator. Applicants are permitted to have multiple active AFID Infrastructure Program grants but will only be eligible for one grant award per grant round. Applicants must be in good standing with any other awards from the AFID program. For more information, visit VDACS.

Made possible through the generosity of the Forward family, the Public Art Forward grant supports creation and installation of a new work of public art in downtown Harrisonburg each year through 2025. Donor Name: Arts Council of the Valley State: Virginia County: Rockingham County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/02/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Mission Arts Council of the Valley cultivates the arts, creates experiences, and connects communities in the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Funding Information The maximum award is $15,000 per year. Grant Period Project takes place June 17, 2024 – January 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Artists who: Have not received an ACV grant of any type in the past twelve (12) months Are eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time of application Are not enrolled as degree-seeking students at the time of application or during the grant period Have submitted all required reports for any prior ACV grants Are not current ACV board members, ACV employees, or immediate family members of such persons. Expenses that cannot be funded: Events whose sponsors are not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1983 Projects that are religious, sectarian, or political Projects designed to satisfy an academic requirement General organizational operating support Construction of new facilities, renovation of existing facilities, or similar facility improvements Deficits from past grant-funded projects For-profit, fundraising or private events, or lobbying efforts Food and beverages. For more information, visit Arts Council of the Valley.

Albemarle County is offering the second round of Agribusiness Resiliency Grants to support direct-market agribusinesses impacted by the pandemic, including local farms, food businesses, orchards, wineries, and cideries. The program aims to mitigate the effects of higher operating costs and difficulties in accessing capital by providing financial aid. The grants can be used for new capital investments, sustainable agricultural practices, public health and safety enhancements, and compliance with regulations. The application period is from April 19 to May 10, 2024, and applicants must be in good standing with a County business license.

The Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Infrastructure Grant Program provides grants of up to $50,000 per grant to political subdivisions for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. The grants are awarded competitively, paid out as reimbursements, and require matching funds. Projects that may be considered include processing facilities, farmers markets, food hubs, and other agricultural aggregation facilities. Priority is given to projects that benefit multiple small-scale agricultural producers and projects located in economically distressed communities. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, such as Counties, Cities, Towns, Industrial and Economic Development Authorities, or Planning District Commissions. Matching funds are required, with a dollar of matching funds required for every dollar requested. The matching funds can be a combination of applicant match and other match, with applicant match consisting of local cash match and local in-kind match. Other match can come from federal grant awards, contributions from non-profit organizations, or funds from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Reduced match requirements are available for projects in economically distressed localities and for projects benefiting multiple small-scale agricultural producers at shared-use facilities. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry will make funding recommendations to the Governor and determine how and when grant applications are reviewed and awards made. There will be two funding rounds each fiscal year, with specific application periods and award announcement dates. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, with criteria including the expected impact of the project, likelihood of success, support from the agricultural community, and demonstration of sustainable agriculture practices. Grant awardees have two years to complete their deliverables and are required to submit interim and final grant reports. The completed application can be emailed or submitted by mail to Genette Harris at the Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline:October 1st to November 15th April 1st to May 15th

The Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Infrastructure Grant Program provides grants of up to $50,000 per grant to political subdivisions for community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. The grants are awarded competitively, paid out as reimbursements, and require matching funds. Projects that may be considered include processing facilities, farmers markets, food hubs, and other agricultural aggregation facilities. Priority is given to projects that benefit multiple small-scale agricultural producers and projects located in economically distressed communities. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, such as Counties, Cities, Towns, Industrial and Economic Development Authorities, or Planning District Commissions. Matching funds are required, with a dollar of matching funds required for every dollar requested. The matching funds can be a combination of applicant match and other match, with applicant match consisting of local cash match and local in-kind match. Other match can come from federal grant awards, contributions from non-profit organizations, or funds from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Reduced match requirements are available for projects in economically distressed localities and for projects benefiting multiple small-scale agricultural producers at shared-use facilities. The Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry will make funding recommendations to the Governor and determine how and when grant applications are reviewed and awards made. There will be two funding rounds each fiscal year, with specific application periods and award announcement dates. Awards will be made on a competitive basis, with criteria including the expected impact of the project, likelihood of success, support from the agricultural community, and demonstration of sustainable agriculture practices. Grant awardees have two years to complete their deliverables and are required to submit interim and final grant reports. The completed application can be emailed or submitted by mail to Genette Harris at the Office of Agriculture and Forestry Development. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline:October 1st to November 15th April 1st to May 15th