There’s a number of grant opportunities for organizations serving greater Williamsburg — Williamsburg, James City County and the Bruton District of York County — from the Williamsburg Community Foundation.
The foundation is interested in receiving applications from organizations that “support a broad range of community enrichment opportunities and respond to changing community needs,” according to a news release from the foundation.
The deadline to apply is midnight June 17, 2020.
Grants are available during the fall round. Complete guidelines and application materials can be found on the Foundation website.
There are several important changes to the grants process this year given the impact of the coronavirus, according to the foundation.
For example, some organizations will be eligible to apply for funding to cover general operating expenses if they have lost revenue, or experienced an increase in the volume of their services, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Applicants should review the “FAQs – Changes to the Grants Process for 2020” before beginning a new application.
Worth noting: Grants from the new Community Emergency Response Fund are not included in the fall grant round.
Organizations will be invited to apply for these emergency grants. The next round of emergency grants will be awarded in mid-May, with an emphasis on meeting the needs for food, shelter and transportation for those hardest hit by COVID-19.
Grant opportunities
Community Endowment Grants
- Must benefit residents in the Williamsburg Community Foundation service area, which encompasses Williamsburg, James City County and the Bruton District of York Supports local programs in five key areas:
- For the Fall 2020 Round only, past foundation competitive grant recipients that received a competitive grant in the last three years (2017-2019) are eligible to apply for operating support due to revenue loss and/or increased services provided as a result of COVID-19. All others may apply for regular program/capital grants.
- Grants up to $5,000
- Deadline: June 17, 2020
Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Transportation Grants
- Supports programs which provide transportation including public transportation.
- Preference for programs assisting low-income residents and those without ready access to a car.
- Grants up to $5,000
- Deadline: June 17, 2020
An Occasion for the Arts Fund
- Established by An Occasion for the Arts.
- Supports programs in visual arts such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, print making, ceramics, jewelry making, metal crafting, wood working, and glasswork. Preference for programs with positive community impact.
- Grants up to $1,400
- Deadline: June 17, 2020
Fund for Women and Girls
- Supports programs for women and girls in greater Williamsburg, with preference given to programs that assist low income women and girls.
- Grants up to $1,000
- Deadline: June 17, 2020
Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Amateur Sports Grants
- Provide financial assistance to amateur sports programs, with a preference for wrestling, but also in other athletic programs that are not readily available to the public (i.e. fencing, lacrosse, boxing, marksmanship, crew, etc.).
- Preference will be given to applications which support low to moderate income children and youth.
- Grants up to $5,000
- Deadline: TBD, October 2020
Grant guidelines and application materials may be found here.
Applicants may apply for a Community Endowment grant and/or one of the others above. Generally, an organization will receive only one grant in a year. Contact Williamsburg Community Foundation with any questions: 757-259-1660 or email at office@williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org.
