The Williamsburg Community Foundation has awarded $131,532 in grants to 31 local nonprofits as part of its fall grant cycle, the largest amount ever awarded in a single grant round in the Foundation’s history.
This record-setting investment was made possible in part by gifts to the Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Campaign, which focused last year on growing the community endowment and field-of-interest funds — ensuring greater annual support for the nonprofits that touch the lives of residents of Williamsburg, James City County and York County.
Focus on Economic Mobility
This grant cycle comes as the Foundation launches a new field-of-interest fund focused on Housing & Economic Mobility to help individuals and families move towards greater financial stability and opportunity. While economic mobility has been one of the Foundation’s focus areas, this dedicated fund gives donors a new way to make an impact.
“We’re seeing more nonprofits working to address barriers to opportunity — through workforce training, transportation, housing and more,” said Nancy Sullivan, President and CEO of the Foundation. “The new fund helps us channel local generosity to respond to these local needs.”
Donors Partner to Meet Local Needs
In addition to grants awarded through the Foundation’s competitive grant process, donor-advised fund (DAF) holders and other Foundation donors stepped up to join the Foundation in supporting local nonprofits through this competitive grant cycle. By working together, the Foundation and its donors were able to fund projects that might otherwise have gone unmet — an increasingly important effort as local nonprofits are stretched to respond to growing demands for their services.
Grants Awarded
Since 1999, the Community Foundation has awarded over $13.6 million in grants and scholarships. In this latest grant round, awards were made in six focus areas:
- Arts & Culture: Two grants totaling $10,000, including to Virginia Organizing who will provide simultaneous interpretation at Williamsburg Pride and chapter meetings to ensure Spanish-speaking residents can take part fully.
- Children & Young Adults: Twelve grants totaling $44,379, including The Friends of Foster Care, which provides in-home academic tutoring for foster youth and those recently transitioned from care.
- Economic Mobility: Two grants totaling $7,500, including NATASHA House, Inc., which will deliver trauma-informed services through its HOME program, preparing mothers for homeownership and long-term family stability.
- Environment & Conservation: One grant of $5,000 to Williamsburg Community Growers to prepare new plots with enriched soil and irrigation to expand its community gardening program.
- Health & Community Wellness: Eleven grants totaling $49,653, including a grant to Olde Towne Medical and Dental Center to buy new EKG and urinalysis equipment to meet increasing demand from uninsured and underinsured patients.
- Senior Services: Three grants totaling $15,000, including Faith in Action Williamsburg, which provides volunteer-driven services, including transportation to medical appointments, food delivery, and in-home assistance, that help older adults stay independent.
To see a full list of grants, visit WilliamsburgCommunityFoundation.org. Nonprofits serving the greater Williamsburg area are invited to apply, with applications for the spring 2026 grant round due by Dec. 14.
About Williamsburg Community Foundation
The Williamsburg Community Foundation helps local people make a lasting difference close to home and builds opportunity for everyone in Williamsburg, James City County and York County to thrive through grants, scholarships, and community leadership. With total assets of almost $38 million, the Foundation has awarded more than $13.6 in grants and scholarships since 1999 and has supported hundreds of nonprofits and students across greater Williamsburg. Learn more at williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org.
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