Blocker Foundation Grant

The Blocker Foundation Grant aims to empower the Hampton Roads community by providing support for nonprofit organizations. With a focus on wholesome nourishment, safe shelter, educational and economic opportunities, the Foundation seeks to create impactful solutions to community challenges. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt and serve the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Service Area, which includes various cities and counties in Virginia and North Carolina.

NOTE: Please note that in the Fall of 2026 the Foundation will be changing its grantmaking policy to require letters of intent for organizations wishing to apply for funding.
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
We do not provide a limit as to the amount of funding that you request though we highly encourage you to understand the funding capacity and service area of our Foundation.

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.In an effort to support organizations in what they do best, we will consider grant requests of the following nature:Project Grants:Those grants seeking funding for a project that will be completed within a specified time frame with very specific costs.Program Grants:Funding provided for ongoing “programmatic activities.”"Core Support" Grants:General operating funding necessary for the ongoing operations of the organization.Capital Grants:Funding for those items related to land, building, and equipment acquisition or creation.The Blocker Foundation will consider grant requests for a term of no less than 12 months but not exceeding a period of 5 years. The timeline of the request should match the proposed project and be justifiable through the submission of a workplan.

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