Community Forum - Funding

Funding Alerts

Have you found a funding source that you can't use?  Let others know about it.  Contact us and we will publish it so others can learn from your efforts...

IMPORTANT update for organizations receiving or applying for funding from the City of Charlottesville or the County of Albemarle.

• MTV Dream it. Do it Challenge
  Deadline: December 31
  Grants of up to $1,000 will be given to youth anywhere in the world between the ages of 12 and 24 working in teams to improve the environment; projects will be evaluated and grants awarded on an ongoing basis. To learn more click here.
• Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries
  Deadline: December 31
  In order to promote a love of reading, the goal of the Laura Bush Foundation (LBF) is to provide books to the school libraries and students that most need them. Consequently, funds are available only for library books and magazine/serial copies and subscriptions. Grants of up to $6,000 are awarded. For the online application click here.

• Kaboom! Playgrounds Award
  Deadline: December 31
  Kaboom! (a nonprofit dedicated to bringing play back into the lives of children) in partnership with Stonyfield Farms offers a chance to win a $50,000 grant for volunteer-built playgrounds. Have your school or youth group collect specially-marked yogurt lids from Stonyfield Farm 6oz. and 32oz. yogurts between now and December 31, 2008. The group that sends the most lids wins. Get the details here.

• Public Interest Law Foundation Community Grants
  Deadline: January 12, 2009
  Each year Columbia University's PILF awards three to five grants to not-for-profit organizations that provide legal services to communities in need. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the availability of funds and the nature of the proposed project. They are particularly interested in funding innovative projects that would not be undertaken without a grant and in helping established projects that suffer from a funding shortage. More details are here.
• Creative Capital: Multi-Arts Production Fund
  Deadline: January 20, 2009
  This MAP fund assists artists who are exploring and challenging the dynamics of live performance within our changing society, thus reflecting our culture's innovation and growing diversity. MAP is especially interested in providing support for work early in its development. Applications for MAP support must come from U.S. nonprofit organizations; nonprofit artist-services organizations may apply as fiscal sponsors on behalf of artists or ensembles. The online application process will open on November 3, 2008. For more information link here.
• NEH Small Grants to Libraries- Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War
  Deadline: January 30, 2009
  A collaboration between the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Constitution Center (NCC) and the American Library Association (ALA). This funding opportunity offers successful applicants a $2,500 grant from NEH for exhibition-related expenses and for exhibition programming. Using the Constitution as the cohesive thread, “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War” offers a fresh and innovative perspective on Lincoln that focuses on his struggle to meet the political and constitutional challenges of the Civil War. Find out more here.
• NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants
  Deadline Feb 01, 2009
  The NEA Foundation provides grants to improve the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority student success with honors, advanced placement, or other challenging curricula are particularly encouraged. Discover more here.
  

• BGF Request for Proposals - 2009 Fall Building Project
  Deadline: February 2, 2009
  Building Goodness Foundation (BGF) is now accepting proposals for the second annual Fall Building Project.  BGF projects combine the skills of craftspeople, construction professionals and other passionate volunteers to design and build structures that serve a specific, meaningful objective for communities in need.  Info.
• Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation: Music Matters Grant Program
  Deadline: February 4, 2009
  The Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation's mission is to redefine and support music education. Through the Foundation's Music Matters Grant Program, grants are provided to K-12 public schools and music programs throughout the United States. The focus of the grant program is on educational reform in school music programs and independent music programs. Public school programs (qualifying for Title I federal funding and serving a minimum of 70% low-income students) as well as nonprofit organizations with music education programs that serve students regardless of their ability to pay are eligible to apply. Program details are found here.
•  FINRA Investor Education Foundation General Grant
  Deadline: February 4, 2009
  The foundation is interested in funding projects that will reach and actively engage at-risk audiences such as seniors and first-time investors by offering them access to unbiased information about the markets and fundamental financial issues. Of particular interest to the foundation in 2009 are projects that focus on using behavioral finance to improve saving and investing, meeting the financial and investor education needs of underserved audiences, new marketing and distribution channels for financial and investor education, and helping Americans manage their finances in retirement. The foundation has set no minimum or maximum for the number of grants to be funded or for the amounts of the grant awards. Learn more here.
• Project Orange Thumb
  Deadline: February 17, 2009
  Gardens and/or gardening projects geared toward community involvement, neighborhood beautification, sustainable agriculture and/or horticultural education are eligible for these grants. Each of the 20 recipients will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and up to $800.00 in gardening-related materials (i.e. green goods). Community garden groups, as well as schools, youth groups, community centers, camps, clubs, treatment facilities are all encouraged to apply. For details click here. 
• Laura Jane Musser: Environmental Initiative Program
  Deadline: February 18, 2009
  The Laura Jane Musser Fund's Environmental Initiative encourages rural communities throughout the United States to use a consensus-based approach to environmental decision-making. The Environmental Stewardship Program supports projects that manage resources of ecological, economic, or aesthetic value, and that include a broad range of community members and stakeholders involved in both the planning and implementation of the project. The Environmental Dispute Resolution Program supports projects that engage in a collaborative process in order to build consensus instead of confrontation, so parties may resolve a conflict and move forward without resorting to litigation. More details are here.
• UVa Community Partnership Undergraduate Research Grants
  Deadline: February 27*, 2009
  These grants foster collaborative partnerships between university researchers and the community and address social inequities by providing opportunities for students to develop research projects that apply their academic skills, experiences, and ideas to real world problems. The grants are not limited to a single academic field. The focus is on projects that address documented public needs or issues and that requires research. *An important introduction to this grant will be held on November 11th in Newcomb Hall from 1-3 p.m. For details on this local grant click here.
• Home Depot Affortable Housing Build Responsibly Grant
  The Home Depot Foundation administers millions of dollars in grants each year to nonprofit organizations whose missions align with the Foundation's interests in supporting the production and preservation of affordable, efficient and healthy housing. In order to identify potential future nonprofit partners or respond to unique community revitalization opportunities, a limited amount of unsolicited grant funding is set aside to be awarded through a competitive process. These annual grants now include the community trees grant program The Foundation remains firmly committed to supporting the planting of trees and the development of greenspace in order to provide our communities with the many economic, social and environmental benefits of the urban forest. Click here to learn more.
• Public Welfare Foundation Grants
  Deadline: March 23, 2009*
  The PWF supports efforts to ensure fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need, seeking ultimately systemic changes that can improve the lives of countless people. 2009 funding priorities includes 1) grantees with strategies to lower rates of incarceration and decrease prison populations 2) the development of strong systems of advocacy with expertise in health policy, organizing community and interfaith groups, and building coalitions and 3) organizations that are trying to improve the lives of working people by ensuring their basic legal rights to safe, healthy, and fair conditions at work. *Letters of inquiry must be submitted six to eight weeks before the proposal deadlines of March 23 or July 27, 2009. For further inquiry click here.
• Petsmart Pet Adoption Grants
  Deadline: May 31, 2009
  The mission of PetSmart Charities is to improve the quality of life for all companion animals through programs that save the lives of homeless pets and promote healthy relationships between people and pets. Examples of funded programs include adoption programs, spay/neuter programs, and pet parenting education programs. Details can be found here. 

• Bowerman Track Program
  Deadline: May 31, 2009
  Provides matching funds of up to $50,000 to youth oriented nonprofit organizations, that demonstrate a need for running track refurbishment or construction. Athletic booster clubs, schools and school districts are eligible to apply.  Board reviews applications quarterly. Find out more. 
• Health Safety Net Grants
  Deadline: Applications are accepted year round, with funding decisions twice each year.
  VHCF health safety net grants work to increase access to primary care for uninsured Virginians and those who live in areas with limited access to care.  Health safety net funding focuses on projects that address one or more of these priorities: developing or expanding patient capacity, establishing a broader scope of services, creating local systems of care, and strengthening the infrastructure of health safety net providers. Details.
• Regal Foundation
  Deadline: Applications are accepted year round, with funding decisions three times per year.
  The Regal Foundation will grant funds only to those tax-exempt organizations benefiting persons suffering economic, social, physical, or educational hardship or disadvantage, or who are otherwise in need of charitable, scientific or educational support or assistance. For further information click here.
• The Energy Foundation
  Deadline: Applications are accepted year round, with funding decisions three times per year.
  The Energy Foundation is focused on advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy policy. Efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the utility industry; policies to increase the energy efficiency of U.S. homes and businesses; policies that reduce vehicle pollution and oil consumption; U.S. state and regional policies to reduce global-warming pollution; and sustainable energy programs in China. The Foundation is unable to support local projects, unless they have been designed for further replication or have broad regional or national implications. Details are found here.
• Princess Grace Awards
  Deadline: Various
  Provides funding to recognize the talent of individual artists in theater, dance and film.  Awards are given in the form of scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships.  Deadlines vary by category.  Get the details. 
• Hitachi Foundation: Business and Communities Grants Program
  Deadline: Open
  The Hitachi Foundation's grantmaking strategy is aimed at enhancing opportunity and quality of life for economically isolated people. The focus is on the role of both businesses and communities in addressing economic isolation and strengthening the field of corporate citizenship. Partnerships with nonprofit organizations that enable economically challenged people to retain and advance in their jobs, earn living wages, and accumulate savings and assets are emphasized. Interested organizations may submit an online inquiry to provide information about project ideas at any time. For program details click here.
• Ben & Jerry's Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  The Foundation offers competitive grants to not-for-profit, grassroots organizations throughout the United States which facilitate progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. Contributes both large grants of $1,001 - $15,000 and small grants of under $1000 to organizations which employ creative solutions to promote social change. All of the Foundation's funding decisions are made by a team of Ben & Jerry's employees that meets once a month to review proposals. For details click here.
• American Legacy Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  The American Legacy Foundation has given out over $150 million in grants to reduce tobacco use among youth. National and grassroots programs are supported. Community-based efforts and new and better tobacco control programs are encouraged, including Small Innovative Grants and Research Demonstration Projects.   Find out more here.
• Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People
  Deadline: Open
  The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) focuses its efforts on the empowerment of economically poor and disadvantaged people seeking to change the structures that perpetuate their condition. Supported projects must be presented, owned, and controlled by the groups of people who will directly benefit from them and must address long-term corrections of the conditions that keep people bound by poverty and oppression. Read more.
• Community Action Grant
  Deadline: Open
  The RBC Blue Water Project hopes to foster a culture of water stewardship so that people have clean, fresh water today and tomorrow by supporting programs that increase watershed awareness in local communities or engage the community in watershed stewardship.  Learn more.
• Open Society Institute
  Deadline: Open
  This Institute has several different grant programs for nonprofits and other groups working on research or programs which are designed to promote social justice, political freedom.  Specific focuses of individual grants range from media policy and academic freedom to reducing reliance on incarceration.  Find out more about specific grants. 
• Conservation of Works of Art Grants
  Deadline: Open
  The Getty Foundation provides support for the conservation treatment of works of art of outstanding artistic significance that are part of a museum's permanent collection. Projects will only be eligible and competitive if they extend beyond the proposed treatment to include a significant interdisciplinary research component.  Learn more. 
• Neighborhood Excellence Initiative
  Deadline: Various
  Bank of America is accepting applications in community development and neighborhood revitalization.  The initiative awards grants of up to $200,000 for leadership training and general operating support for nonprofit organizations.  Learn more.
• The Wilson Research Foundation
  Deadline:  Open
  This Foundation dispenses funds for grants in rehabilitation research for disabling illnesses and injuries.  For more information.
• The Carnegie Corporation of New York
  Deadline: Open
  Supports a range of efforts related to education, peace & security, international development, strengthening democracy, and more. Take a quiz to find out if your project fits the guidelines for grants. Read on.
• One by One
  Deadline: Open
  Makes in-kind donations of imprinted goods to deserving organizations. Find out more. 
• Build-a-Bear Workshop Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Supports local animal shelters and stray pet rescue and rehabilitation organizations across the country.  Grants are made quarterly and vary in size from $1,000- $10,000.  Interested?
• The Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Awards grants to organizations that promote environmental and community health, advance environmental justice, sustain the food system in both urban and rural communities and more. Find out more.
• The Microsoft Corporation
  Deadline: Open
  Offers in-kind support to organizations working to create community-based technology and learning centers in order to bridge the digital divide and eliminate technology illiteracy. Get the details.
• National Geographic Conservation Trust
  Deadline: Open
  Supports conservation activities around the world that contribute significantly to the preservation and sustainable use of the Earth's biological cultural and historical resources.  Find out more. 
• The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
  Deadline: Rolling
  Has many and varied program interests, including improving education, promoting economic growth and prosperity, and defending and advancing freedom.  Learn more about the specific pragmatic focuses of the foundation.
• The Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  Deadline: Open
  Funds programs in science education and research, from pre-K through PhD. Learn more.
• The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
  Deadline: Open
  Funds a range of programs including those in education, theology/religion, health care, and public television. Read on.
• John Merck Fund
  Deadline: Open
  Provides funding in several areas, including developmental disabilities, environment, reproductive health, human rights and job opportunities.  Has a special interest in small organizations and startups in need of funding.  See more. 
• Do Something
  Deadline: Rolling
  Do Something has partnered with GameStop and together are offering two $500 grants to young social entrepreneurs (under the age of 25) weekly.  The GameStop Grant is seed money to begin a project and the Plum Grant is awarded for programs already underway.  Both are given out weekly.  For more information.
• Social Justice Grant Fund
  Deadline: Open
  The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia provide financial support to help those who are poor, oppressed, and marginalized in society and to promote social justice at local, national, and international levels.  Recipients should be engaged in fostering systemic change, promoting self-help and empowering community, or responding to unmet needs of those whoa re poor and/or marginalized.  Has two giving cycles per year.  Find out more. 
• The National Network to End Domestic Violence
  Deadline: Open
  Partners with nonprofits to assist survivors of domestic violence. Read on.
• Equine Fund Grant
  Deadline: Open
  the ASPCA provides funding to nonprofit equine welfare organizations for capital improvements, emergency grants or education-related grants.  Funds for hay, feed, and medical care are generally restricted to large cruelty seizures or impounds only.  Find out more. 
• Women Helping Others Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Supports organizations that serve women and/or children in the areas of health, education and social service needs. Learn more.
• The Weithorn and Ehrmann Families Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Supports programs that solve the problems of children in need, without regard to race or creed, and activities designed to protect civil liberties and promote social justice. Email Stanley S. Weithorn, sweithorn@rhtax.com, for details.
• Goldman Sachs Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Funds innovative educational organizations.  Current foundation priorities are focused on developing the abilities of promising high potential youth, supporting high quality education for young people in leadership, entrepreneurship and business education and enhancing academic performance and prospects for life achievement of students at the secondary school level.  More info.
• The Comcast Corporation
  Deadline: Open
  Funds programs that utilize communication technologies to address community needs related to literacy, volunteerism and youth leadership. Learn more.
• Google Grants Program
  Deadline: Open
  Nonprofit groups can apply to receive at least three months of free advertising on Google’s website to promote their mission. Get the details.
• Rapid Response Grants
  Deadline: Open
  Connect US makes grants to support non-governmental organizations active in policy issues, especially related to US global engagement.  These grants are to serve as a potential source of funding for time-sensitive projects to effect policy change with focuses on climate change, energy policy, nuclear proliferation, human rights and international trade and development. Find out more.  
• The Starr Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  One of the largest private foundations in the US; funds organizations involved in education, medicine and health care, human needs, public policy, culture and the environment. Read on.
• Points of Light Foundation's Daily Points of Light Awards:
  Deadline: Open
  Any individual, organization, group, family, business, or labor union actively engaged in voluntary service benefiting the community or nation can be nominated. Find out more.
• Cisco Donation Program at TechSoup
  Deadline: Open
  Donations of networking-solutions software to health-service support organizations and organizations that provide education, job training, and literacy support to underserved populations. This is completely separate from regular Techsoup discounted software programs. Visit the site.
• Development Grants
  Deadline: Open
  Veteranscorp.org provides funding for programs that provide opportunities and resources to veterans interested in business or entrepreneurial endeavors. For more information. 
• William Randolph Hearst Foundations
  Deadline: Open
  Assists institutions in providing opportunities to underserved and underrepresented populations.  There are a variety of funding priorities including education, health, social services and culture.  Get more info. 
• The Draper Richards Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Supports new nonprofits that result in social change. Unrestricted funding will be provided to entrepreneurs who have started a new organization within the last 3 years. View the details.
• Food Lion Charitable Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Focuses on primary and secondary education, and feeding the hungry, but will consider any charitable organization in the community. More detail.
• The Kroger Company Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Grants are available to any 501(c)(3) organization in communities in which Kroger operates. Grants are given to a range of causes: to support education, feed the hungry, support breast cancer initiatives, and assist local grassroots organizations. Read on.
• Alliance/Quest Network Challenge
  Deadline: Open
  Alliance has teamed up with Quest Network to provide $1,000 classroom awards to teachers who most effectively and creatively integrate two of the four Blue Zones programs into their curriculum. Quest’s Blue Zones programs, including Blue Zone Quest, Blue Zones Challenge, Blue Zones Financial Challenge, and Blue Zones Legacy Project, are geared toward cultivating student curiosity as well as empowering students to lead healthy lives. The programs are aligned to National Education Standards.  Read on.
• The Glaser Progress Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Has identified several program areas for which they provide funding to nonprofits organizations. These include measuring progress, animal advocacy, independent media, and global HIV/AIDS. To find out more about the specifics of each of these initiatives, visit. 
• Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Supports projects that improve medical education, diversity among health care professionals, and benefits to underserved populations. Read on.
• CHAMP - Children's Health & Wellness Grant Program
  Deadline: Open (LOI's reviewed in March and September)
  Supports nonprofit organizations that focus on children's issues: childhood disease research foundations, organizations that promote child safety, and charities that serve children with special needs. Find out more.
• The Annenberg Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  The Annenberg Foundation provides support for projects within its grant-making interest areas of education and youth, arts and culture, civic and community, and health. Read on.
• Wellpoint Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  This is the corporate-sponsored foundation of Anthem Insurance.  They fund organizations that support healthy lifestyles: healthy minds (education), healthy bodies (health oriented) and healthy communities (community projects and human services).  Find out more about their giving program.   
• The American Humane Association's Second Chance Program:
  Deadline: Open
  Partners works with animal welfare organizations to provide care for animals. Get the details
• The PepsiCo Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Supports health and wellness, diversity and inclusion, environment and employee community engagement.  No grants will be given until after August 18, 2008 due to restructuring. Details.
• The AT&T Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Makes grants for K-12 education. Details: Email the foundation president, Laura Sanford, at ls2968@att.com.
• Educational Foundation of America
  Deadline: Open
  Areas of interest include the environment, reproductive freedom, theatre, drug policy reform, democracy, peace and national security issues, education, medicine, and human services. Find out more.
• Allstate Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Allstate funds nonprofit organizations in three focus areas, which are broken down into specific program goals.  These focus areas include: safe and vital communities, economic empowerment, and tolerance, inclusion, and diversity.  Grant requests must be for single year requests.  Find out more. 
• Rosie's For All Kids Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Priority is given to experienced, community-based programs serving children in low-income, major urban areas. The primary focus of the Foundation’s grant making is on tuition subsidies, small renovations, equipment upgrades, playground construction, and staff development opportunities for early education and care programs. Learn more.
• Singing for Change
  Deadline: Open
  Provides financial support to programs in three primary focus areas: children and families, the environment, and disenfranchised groups.   More info. 
• Public Welfare Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  The primary goal of the Public Welfare Foundation is to address human needs in disadvantaged communities. The Foundation's grantmaking strongly emphasizes support for organizations that include service, advocacy, or empowerment in their approach, with particular interest in efforts that combine two or all three of these elements.  Take a look.
• Mix it Up
  Deadline: Open
  This program encourages youth proposed and directed initiatives by supporting projects that challenge social boundaries in schools and communities.  Find out more. 
• The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  The Foundation has three primary program areas available to organizations in this area- Civil Society, Environment, and Pathways Out of Poverty.  Through its programs the Foundation seeks to fulfill its mission of supporting efforts that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society.  Read the guidelines carefully.
• United Healthcare Children's Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Facilitates access to health-related services not fully covered by the available commercial health benefit plan and have the potential to significantly enhance either the clinical condition or the quality of life of the child.  Provides grants which help provide financial assistance towards family's share of the cost of medical services.  Find out more. 
• Grants.gov
  Deadline: Varies by grant
  Allows organizations to electronically find and apply for more than $400 BILLION in federal grants.  It is the single access point for over 1,000 grant programs.  www.grants.gov
• The Dominion Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the economic, physical, and social health of the communities served by Dominion's gas companies. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking in five general categories: health and human services, education, culture and the arts, neighborhood and community development, and the environment. Visit the website for online application information.
• The Surdna Foundation
  Deadline: Open
  Fosters entrepreneurial programs throughout the U.S. that offer viable solutions to difficult systemic problems. The Foundation provides support through five distinct grantmaking programs: The Environmental Program, the Community Revitalization Program, the Effective Citizenry Program, the Arts Program, and the Nonprofit Sector Support Program. Visit the website for more information.
• Barnes and Noble Corporate Contributions Program
  Deadline: Open
  Supports local and regional nonprofit organizations that focus on literacy, the arts, or education (K-12). Applicants must be located in the communities where company stores are located and should serve the greater good of the local community or region. A plan for promoting the program with Barnes & Noble should be included in the proposal, and the organization must be willing to work with the local store or stores on in-store programming. Barnes and Noble also provides limited support to national nonprofit organizations that focus on the company’s grantmaking priorities. In addition, eligible applicants may apply for support through a literary-based sponsorship program. Visit the website for more information.  Does not award grants.