Hampton Roads Community Foundation: Community Grants - Vibrant Places

Hampton Roads Community Foundation: Community Grants - Vibrant Places

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Last Updated: December 03, 2025

Summary

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation offers Vibrant Places grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in South Hampton Roads, Virginia. This initiative supports transformative projects in health, environmental stewardship, education, culture, and economic stability. The foundation encourages applications that incorporate green building practices to enhance sustainability and reduce operational costs for local nonprofits. Grants may not exceed 5% of a $1 million campaign goal, and organizations receiving funding must meet specific eligibility criteria.

Overview

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation connects you with charitable causes to improve life in our region. The community foundation manages permanent funds created by people from all walks of life. Its mission is to inspire philanthropy and transform the quality of life in southeastern Virginia. The Foundation supports major capital projects and campaigns that are transformative for the organization and the communities it serves. Organizations requesting Vibrant Places facilities grants should support one of these areas: Health & WellnessEnvironmental StewardshipEducational SuccessCultural VitalityEconomic Stability We see projects that will reduce local nonprofits' building operating costs over the long term and minimize the negative environmental impacts associated with construction and operation. We encourage "green" building practices that can cut heating and cooling costs, save water and reduce pollution.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Hampton Roads Community Foundation welcomes grant applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads, Viriginia, including:Chesapeake Eastern Shore of Virginia (Accomack and Northampton counties)* Franklin Isle of Wight County Norfolk Portsmouth Suffolk Virginia BeachGrants to Eastern Shore nonprofits are awarded in partnership with our affiliated Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation.While the Foundation prefers to award grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies that are independent of local, state and federal government, it will consider awarding grants to specific municipal entities or component units of government for projects generally provided by nonprofit agencies in other communities.This policy does not prohibit public and private colleges and universities from applying for funding.If your campaign goal is $1 million or more, your grant request may not exceed 5% of the goal, excluding any endowment goal.

Ineligibility

Requests for routine building maintenance and upgrades and equipment replacements and upgrades will be considered a low-grant priority.If your organization has received a Hampton Roads Community Foundation grant in the past three years, it is NOT eligible to apply for funding for the same type of grant. Please also note that grants are generally not available for:Organizations not tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue CodeIndividualsFundraising events (such as tickets, raffles, auctions or tournaments), annual fundraising appeals or agency celebrationsOngoing operating supportCapital projects and facilities and equipment upgrades that can be considered routine maintenance or replacements.Houses of worshipReligious activities (organizations and activities that require religious participation by those receiving services)Political or fraternal organizationsEndowment buildingExisting obligations, debts/liabilities or costs that an agency has already incurredScholarly researchScholarships, camper fees, fellowships or travelPassenger vans for transporting youthNational or international organizations or purposesHospitals and similar health-care facilities unless applying for a Special Interest GrantProjects or services normally considered the responsibility of governmentPrivate primary or secondary schools, daycare facilities or academies other than those whose primary purpose is for students with special needs.Capital campaign requests exceeding 5% of a campaign valued at $1 million or more