Hampton Roads Planning Grants

The Hampton Roads Planning Grants support coalitions of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations aiming to address community issues through collaborative projects. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for one year, covering essential planning activities such as staff oversight and site visits. Organizations must submit a Letter of Intent, and participation does not guarantee funding for implementation. Priority areas for 2025 include organizational restructuring and mental health services.

NOTE: A Letter of Intent must be submitted through the community foundation’s online grant application system. Planning Grant Letters of Intent can be submitted at any time. If the Letter of Intent is approved, the coalition’s fiscal agent will be asked to complete the Planning Grant application.
Planning Grants from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation are available for coalitions of nonprofit organizations and other appropriate agencies.
These grants provide funding to explore and plan for the launch of a collaborative project to solve an identified community issue. Grant funding of up to $25,000 is available for one year for activities over and above the organizations’ daily operational activities. Activities may include staff oversight, staff planning time, site visits to review models and best practices, and facilitators.
Participation in a planning grant does not guarantee implementation funding. Grant applications will be evaluated on both the strength of the request and the potential of the proposed project to solve a need in the community/region when fully implemented.
Planning Grant Letters of Intent can be submitted at any time and are for targeted areas identified by the community foundation.
The two 2025 Planning Grant Areas of focus will be:

• Collaborative organizational restructuring and mergersIssues related to serving those with mental/behavioral health issues.

Eligibility

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation welcomes grant applications from 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads, including those in:ChesapeakeEastern Shore of Virginia (Accomack and Northampton counties)Grants to Eastern Shore nonprofits are awarded in partnership with our affiliated Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation.FranklinIsle of Wight CountyNorfolkPortsmouthSuffolkVirginia BeachCoalitions interested in applying for a Planning Grant must identify a fiscal agent that will be the applying organization.

Ineligibility

If your organization has received a Hampton Roads Community Foundation grant in the past three years, we ask that you not apply for funding for the same type of grant. Grants are generally NOT available for:Organizations without tax-exemption 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 replacementsHouses of worship unless applying for the Nightingale Fund for Faith Community Nursing or the E.K. Sloane Fund for pianosReligious activities (organizations and activities that require religious participation by those receiving services)Political or fraternal organizationsEndowment buildingExisting obligations, debts or 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 needsCapital campaign requests exceeding 5% of a campaign valued at $1 million or more