Virginia Recreation Grants

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 nonprofit organizations and schools in the Charlottesville area to create innovative projects that combine environmental education with the visual and performing arts for children who have limited access to these experiences.

This funding opportunity provides up to $5,000 for nonprofit organizations and government entities to implement projects that enhance parks, recreation, and arts and culture in the greater Virginia area.

The Alexandria Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ Office of the Arts is collaborating with the Recreation Services Division to create a new Grant Program – Arts Enrichment Program for Youth (AEPY) which is funded by the American Rescue Fund Program for Alexandria. Donor Name: City of Alexandria State: Virginia City: Alexandria Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  08/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Arts Enrichment Programs for Youth is a program to provide funding for nonprofit organizations and teaching artists to develop high quality out-of-school arts programs which could be Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math; art, musical performance, culture, both traditional and nontraditional arts; and other creative projects will be in the City’s Recreation Centers.  Arts Enrichment Programs for Youth should:  Take place in one of the dedicated neighborhood recreation centers which are inspiring, welcoming spaces for all youth who want to participate and affirm the value of the arts and artists. Focus on hands-on skill building using art supplies. The culmination of the residency could result in a public event with audiences showcasing the work the youth have accomplished. To actively involve youth in the implementation of the program.    Funding Information Grant awards will be for $5,000 per residency, per location. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for the Grant Program – Arts Enrichment Program for Youth, art nonprofit organizations or teaching artists are required to: Applications are accepted from 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization who are in good standing with the IRS; fiscal agents and pass-through funding WILL NOT be permitted. Must NOT have defaulted on any past grant applications. Must be in good standing with the City of Alexandria, VA. Must have their IRS letter of determination for at least one year before applying and must stay in existence during the grant period. Applications are also accepted by teaching artists who have demonstrated experience with working with youth and are eligible to work in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nonprofit organizations or teaching artists should have previous experience with working with youth 5 – 12 years of age groups in flexible environments. Arts enrichment programs for Youth need to engage youth in the Alexandria Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities out-of-school arts programs which may also include Teacher Workdays or Holiday breaks. Presentation of concerts and performances are NOT eligible, as the intention for the AEPY program is to engage youth with interactive programming. Arts programs, projects and activities previously awarded by the City by other City grant programs are NOT eligible. Follow all local, state, and federal laws; and Employees of the City of Alexandria and members of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts and their immediate family members are NOT eligible to apply. For more information, visit City of Alexandria.

Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) is seeking proposals for projects that provide new or expanded public access to open space, such as parks, preserves, trails, greenways, outdoor classrooms, beaches, and boat launches, as well as projects that protect exceptional natural and cultural resources for the benefit of the Commonwealth. Donor Name: Virginia Outdoors Foundation State: Virginia County: All Counties Deadline: Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Details: Established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1997 and administered by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF), the Open-Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund (PTF) provides grants for acquisitions, easements, rights of way, and other methods of protecting open space for farming, forestry, recreation, wildlife, water quality, and more. In most cases, a right, privilege, or interest in real estate must be conveyed to either VOF or a locality, pursuant to Virginia’s Open-Space Land Act, to be eligible for PTF funding. Project Prioritization While VOF is offering grant awards for both public access and exceptional natural and cultural resource protection projects, VOF is prioritizing those projects in which the interest in real estate includes a provision to provide access to the property by the public. Successful proposals will protect and preserve open green space. Funding for resource protection easements will be prioritized for those projects that show exceptional characteristics in the following categories: historic and cultural, water quality, scenic and open space, habitat, agriculture and forestry, and policy alignment. Deed restrictions will protect the highest conservation values of a property. Funding Information There is approximately $1.7 million available for the first grant round of fiscal year 2025. In recent cycles, grant awards have averaged $150,000 per project. Eligibility Criteria PTF grants may be awarded to any person, organization, or locality with a real estate interest to convey on either public or private land. Land already under locality ownership may be eligible for PTF funding as long as the parcel is not already protected through certain existing deed restrictions. For more information, visit VOF.

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.

The James City County is seeking applications for its Good Neighbor Grant Program to enhance the sense of community and environmental wellness of the neighborhoods through sustainable community planning. Donor Name: James City County State: Virginia County: James City County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The purpose of this grant is to encourage community members to take pride in and responsibility for their communal space. Projects will focus on the physical aspects of common areas through the installation of native plants, erosion control methods, place making for community members and other methods to improve environmental quality and minimize negative impacts. Examples: community garden, entryway landscaping, trail improvements, communal compost, playground and pool area landscaping, energy saving techniques and litter prevention measures. Funding Information  Matching grant awards up to $500. For more information, visit James City County.

The City of Alexandria Arts Grants are designed to encourage artistic excellence by assisting artists and organizations in providing opportunities for Alexandria’s residents and visitors to engage and experience quality arts programs throughout the city. Donor Name: City of Alexandria State: Virginia City: Alexandria Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/21/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The Arts Program Grant has the following goals:  To strengthen Alexandria’s creative capacity by providing its residents with diverse opportunities to meaningfully engage with the arts.  To improve the capacity and stability of Alexandria-based organizations to create, perform, and present works of artistic excellence and innovation through organizational support and program funding; and  To create a vibrant urban environment by supporting diverse individual artists, organizations, and other entities in the creation, performance, and presentation of highquality works of art across the City of Alexandria. Funding Information Arts Program Grants are available for up to $12,500 and should not exceed 50% of total program budget and require a 1:1 (dollar for dollar) cash match. The Grant period is July 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be a non-profit organization who has been in existence for 1 full year before applying. Pass-through grants are not allowed. Programs must take place between July 1 – June 30 of each fiscal year. Programs must take place within Alexandria’s city limits (does not include Fairfax County). The applicant has not been in default of payment to any agency of the City of Alexandria. Proposed budget provides the required cash match. Funding from the City of Alexandria such as, but limited to, the Marketing Fund, the Alexandria City Public Schools and from other Departments, cannot be used for the cash match. Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. City agencies, employees, or volunteers (defined as any agency under the direct control of an elected official, or which reports directly to the City Manager, may not apply for an Arts Grant; they may only play a supportive role in a program proposed by an organization or group. Colleges, universities, religious organizations, and libraries may not receive grants for arts. For more information, visit City of Alexandria.

ArtsFairfax Project Support Grants serve both arts organizations and individual artists with funding to support projects that engage Fairfax County residents. Donor Name: ArtsFairfax State: Virginia County: Fairfax County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The purpose of the Project Support Grants Program is to encourage the development and advancement of the arts in Fairfax County while serving the artistic and cultural needs of Fairfax County residents. Goals Through the Project Support Grant Program, ArtsFairfax seeks to: Provide support for established arts organizations and the development of new organizations. Promote opportunities for individual artists and arts organizations of all disciplines to create, present, and celebrate their artistic endeavors. Be a catalyst for increased private sector support for arts organizations through leveraged public funding. Encourage wide participation in the arts through diverse cultural programming available to all residents of Fairfax County. Funding Categories Project Support Grants are non-recurring grants used to support eligible nonprofit arts organizations, both established and developing, in providing activities that engage new audiences in the arts and contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in Fairfax County. Applicants may request $1000-$30,000. These grants will not fund operating expenses. Finally, these grants encourage wide participation in the arts through diverse cultural programming available to all residents of Fairfax County. Project Support grants support activities that would not normally be part of your organization’s usual activities. For example, if your organization provides after-school arts instruction, then Project Support funding could support the design and implementation of a new class offering that has not been offered before. If your organization occasionally hosts a guest artist, then Project Support funding could support bringing an artist who might normally be financially out of reach. This funding is not intended to support ongoing activities that your organization does on a regular basis as part of your mission. You do not have to create a program that is brand new to your organization; however, for existing programs, your proposal should explain how the funding would enhance or expand the scope of your program offerings. There are four grant subcategories within the Project Support Grant Program. An organization can submit one grant application in a single subcategory. The grant subcategories are: Arts in Education Arts in Education projects provide high-impact art experiences. Projects may take place in schools, after-school programs, or nonprofit agencies such as art centers, social service agencies, and parks and recreation facilities that provide services to youth and/or adults. Projects can support artist’s fees and travel, space rental, transportation, advertising, publicity, scripts, costumes, sets, props, music, art supplies, and equipment rental or purchase Opportunity Opportunity projects provide the resources to allow an organization to take advantage of an atypical or out of the ordinary opportunity that otherwise would be out of reach. Opportunity projects should further the growth and development of the applicant organization or engage audiences in new arts experiences. Projects can support performances by guest artists, activities, or infrastructure enhancements including programs, exhibitions, and performances for diverse populations (gender, ethnicity, age, people of all abilities sexual orientation) and/or in underserved areas of the county Partnerships with Individual Artists, Artist Teams/Cooperatives, non-501(c)(3) Arts Groups Partnerships support a partnership between an arts organization and an artist, artist teams/cooperatives, and non-501(c)(3) Arts Groups. The nonprofit arts organization must serve as the applicant. Projects can support the production of public art, performances, exhibitions, workshops, commissions, arts in education projects, and culturally unique projects that directly benefit artistic development and recognition Arts Access Arts Access projects strengthen arts engagement and allocation of resources to underserved and economically disadvantaged communities and districts. These projects provide arts programming and reduce the costs of or distance to high quality arts experiences (productions, presentations, exhibitions, learning) in communities where limited arts access has been documented. Arts and cultural organizations located in these communities as well as organizations from throughout the county and cities of Fairfax and Falls Church may apply. Applicants from outside the target District must work with at least one community-based partner to promote sustainable change. Funding Information Project Support Grant Program grants range from $1,000 to $30,000. Grant Period 2 years Eligibility Criteria An organization is eligible to apply to the Project Support Grant Program if: It has as a core mission the creation, exhibition, presentation, production, or performance of and/or  education in an arts discipline and is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with current or pending status. It has regular activity in a minimum of four different months in the year or 120 days of the year It presents at least 51% of public arts activities within the geographical boundaries of Fairfax County, the  City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church The organization must have an address of record within the geographical boundaries of Fairfax County,  the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church and satisfy ONE of the following three criteria for at least  one year: Meet, rehearse, exhibit, and operate within the geographical boundary of Fairfax County, the  City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church Have 51% of board of directors’ members work or reside in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or  the City of Falls Church Verify that 51% of attendees at performances, exhibits, events, and activities reside in Fairfax  County, the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church evidenced through acceptable statistical. An eligible organization must: Be in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws; and If an organization does not hold 501(c)(3) status in its own right, a fiscal sponsor that holds 501(c)(3) status may apply on its behalf. The fiscal sponsor must manage all grant funds and ensure compliance with the terms of the grant if an award is made An organization must have independently prepared financial statements such as an audit or a treasurer’s report (audit required for organizations with expenses of $750,000 and above). The applicant must have submitted all required final reports for any grants received from ArtsFairfax during the previous fiscal year The applicant must maintain an ArtsFairfax Directory listing and list activities on ArtsFairfax events calendar. For more information, visit ArtsFairfax.

The City of Newport News is now accepting grant applications for a Gun Violence Intervention Grant. Donor Name: City of Newport News State: Virginia City: Newport News Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Grant awardees will be granted funding to implement or enhance evidence-based strategies and/or projects that will reduce gun violence within the City of Newport News. The City of Newport News remains committed to partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs) to reduce gun violence in the communities. They will continue to prioritize this effort using evidence-based strategies and best practices to support the work to interrupt cycles of violence and help those at the highest risk for violent crime. The City Manager’s recommended operating budget for FY 2025 includes an allocation of $1,000,000 to community-based organizations to continue their prevention and intervention work to reduce gun violence that began in FY 2023 and continued in FY 2024. These funds represent the third and final year of the GVIP cohort that began in FY 2023. Organizations will be eligible to apply for funding beyond FY 2025 through the annual City of Newport News Community Support Agency Grant program. Applications for the Community Support Agency Grant will open in October 2024. Organizations will continue their work in FY 2025 by prioritizing the violence reduction efforts around addressing seven critical areas: Effective Conflict Resolution Healthy Family Functioning Economic Prosperity Gun Control & Safety A Caring Community Mental Wellness & Healing Effective Deterrence & Adjudication. Grant Period The grant period will begin July 1, 2024, and end June 30, 2025. Eligible Project Proposals Proposals must benefit children, youth, young adults, and families who reside in Newport News. Funds may be used to expand or enhance the project the organization was funded for during FY 2024. Proposals must demonstrate the utilization of evidence-based strategies that address gun violence. Proposals should have a clear sustainability plan. This plan must include other sources beyond the City of Newport News. Applicants seeking to expand or enhance their FY 2024 project must demonstrate progress and success in what has already been done through the project’s life. Projects eligible for continuation funding must address one or more of the following critical areas: concentrated poverty, access to guns, desensitized communities and individuals, judicial system, mental health/unaddressed trauma, family dysfunction, or poor conflict resolution. Projects eligible for continuation funding must address one or more of the priorities listed below as they relate to youth violence prevention or early intervention, according to the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): individual and family risk factors, community risk factors, peer and social risk factors. Collaboration between organizations is highly encouraged. Eligible Expenditures Allowable GVIP grant projects and purchase includes, but are not limited to: Personnel Expenses (fringe benefits will be calculated at 10%) Project and Program evaluation Overtime Supplies Travel expenses (direct service only) Food Stipends/incentives. Project Requirements  Grant funds will allow community-based organizations to implement strategies to reduce gun violence in the City of Newport News by continuing or expanding existing projects that began in FY 2023 (August 2022 – June 2023) and continued in FY 2024 (July 2023 – June 2024). All projects should: Be community-based Be evidence-based Serve Newport News residents Focus on prevention or intervention Address one or more of the seven critical areas. Eligibility Requirements  Must be the same legal business entity that received funds from the City of Newport News during FY 2024. Serve youth and young adults in the City of Newport News with evidence-based projects and programming that reduce gun violence. For more information, visit City of Newport News.

The Loudoun County Disability Services Board sponsors an awards program that honors businesses and organizations that display a strong commitment toward the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. Donor Name: Loudoun County State: Virginia County: Loudoun County (VA) Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: 06/21/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Nominations are open for the 2024 Full Accessibility and Inclusion: Moving toward Equity (FAIME) Awards, which honor businesses and organizations that go above and beyond to recruit, hire, train and promote people with disabilities and that have an inclusive workplace and business model.   Eligibility Requirements for Award Nominees Businesses and organizations must demonstrate a commitment to hiring people with disabilities, providing accommodations in the workplace and offering people with disabilities professional development opportunities so they can grow their skills. Nominees may be for-profit or nonprofit businesses and organizations, but may not be government agencies, nonprofits or businesses whose mission is to provide services to people with disabilities. Businesses and organizations may nominate themselves. For more information, visit Loudoun County.

The Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation is accepting applications for its Arts Grant. Donor Name: Prince William County Department of Parks & Recreation State: Virginia City: Manassas and Manassas Park Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/08/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: All nonprofit organizations in the Greater Prince William, to include Manassas and Manassas Park, are encouraged to apply for support in one of two granting areas. The New and Emerging Grant is designed to assist newly established art start-up nonprofit arts groups find their footing through providing some assistance within the first three years of their existence. General Operating Grant was put in place to ensure that the established nonprofit organizations have every opportunity to sustain themselves as they continue to provide rich cultural and art performances to the citizens across the region. Grant Period Activities must be completed July 1 through June 30. Eligibility Requirements  The Prince William County Department of Parks and Recreation will consider grant applications for any organization which: is recognized as a non-profit and exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a), which includes the 501(c)3 designation, of the Internal Revenue code for at least one year and has completed a season of programs. (Exception is for organizations applying for New & Emerging Grants); produces, presents, supports or provides educational opportunities for dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater, visual, and related arts; comply with Title VI, Section 601, of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which states that no person, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which state that no otherwise qualified person shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance; are based in Prince William County, Manassas and/or Manassas Park by meeting, rehearsing, exhibiting and operating within this community; have 80% members or participants from the community or 70% of services or programs offered within Prince William County, Manassas and/or Manassas Park; submitted all required final reports for previous grant(s) received from Prince William County; Applicants for New & Emerging Grants must have applied for 501(c) 3 status, have founding documents, a Board of Directors, and organizational bylaws. For more information, visit PWCDPR.

The Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program, combined with funds from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), provides a total of $40 million in funding. This initiative aims to safeguard the nation's military readiness, bolster relationships with communities, preserve the environment, and enhance resilience to climate change impacts on military installations and surrounding communities. It focuses on the acquisition of land and/or development of new outdoor public recreation facilities near military installations or airspace, promoting compatible land uses and preventing incompatible development. The initiative underscores the importance of partnerships, particularly between the Department of Defense (DoD) military bases and local communities, to achieve its goals. Projects must be situated within a designated REPI Partnership Opportunity Area and should serve both the general public and military families, highlighting the program's dual focus on enhancing outdoor recreation and supporting military missions.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is accepting applications for the 2024 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant round from March 12 to May 7, 2024. Approximately $1.9 million in RTP funding is available. The RTP, funded by the Federal Highway Administration and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is a federal 80-20 matching reimbursement program aimed at building and rehabilitating trails and trail-related facilities across non-motorized, diversified, and motorized trail categories. In 2024, the program is open for applications for both new trail construction and improvements to existing trails, following a competitive application process overseen by the RTP and the Virginia Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee. Eligible applicants include city, county, town, tribal, or other government entities, as well as registered nonprofit groups partnered with a government body.

This funding opportunity supports tax-exempt organizations in South Hampton Roads that focus on educational, charitable, and religious initiatives, with a preference for local projects.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Western Virginia for projects that enhance community vibrancy, education, and health, focusing on areas like arts, literacy, workforce development, and healthcare access.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits, researchers, local governments, and small businesses in Virginia to enhance recreational fishing through conservation, habitat restoration, and fisheries research.