Blocker Foundation: Discretionary Grant

The Blocker Foundation offers Discretionary Grants to empower the Hampton Roads community by funding organizations that tackle immediate needs. Grants up to $25,000 support projects focused on wholesome nourishment, safe shelter, educational opportunities, and economic growth. Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and serve specified areas within the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Service Area. These grants aim to create impactful, sustainable solutions while fostering collaboration among diverse community partners.

NOTE: Discretionary Grants are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year until available funds have been disbursed and are separate from our primary grant rounds.
Our Grant Making
The grantmaking objectives of The Blocker Foundation are intended to assure that our limited resources are allocated to help create the most impact in the communities that we serve. We support organizations and activities that empower people and community systems in a way that tackles the root causes of the problems our communities face and build upon the strengths within these same regions. We seek to foster partnership amongst like-minded organizations, encouraging communication and collaboration to build programs and services that are sustainable.
Funding
Requests are limited to $25,000 and should address a current and immediate need within the communities that encompass the Foundation’s service area.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a nonprofit organization classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.The Blocker Foundation provides grants to tax exempt nonprofit organizations which serve the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Service Area (MSA). Applicants must serve communities or populations residing in The Blocker Foundation’s service area, the Hampton Roads MSA which includes the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg as well as Gloucester County, Isle of Wight County, James City County, Mathews County, Southampton County and York County. Also included are Camden County, Currituck County and Gates County, NC.The program provides grants to fund small, discrete, time-limited projects and activities.These funds are not designed for capital requests but for programs, projects, or core support that require more immediate funding than a primary grant cycle would allow.Projects must be completed within a 12-month period from time of grant approval.Submission and approval of a Discretionary Grant does not preclude the submission of a request through the Foundation’s primary grants round.

Ineligibility

Funding may not be used for:Lobbying or political programs or events
Sectarian or religious organizations whose grant request will only benefit that organization's members
Organizations that discriminate by race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or national origin