WCF Capacity Building Grants

The WCF Capacity Building Grants support small, emerging nonprofits in the Greater Williamsburg area, focusing on enhancing effectiveness and sustainability. Grants of up to $1,500 are available for organizations with an operating budget under $50,000 that serve specific community needs. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a fiscal agent. The Foundation prioritizes areas such as arts, health, and community wellness, aiming to strengthen organizations for future funding opportunities.

NOTE: Applications accepted on a rolling basis (no deadline). You will receive notification with 4-6 weeks of application.
The Williamsburg Community Foundation enhances the quality of life in greater Williamsburg by connecting people with causes that matter, managing charitable funds, and providing grants and scholarships for our community’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities.
WCF Capacity Building Grants will support small, emerging, and grassroots nonprofits that are working in our service area. We will prioritize funding to help the organization be more effective and sustainable in their work. The goal of this grant is to strengthen organizations so that they can ultimately apply for larger grants.
Grants of up to $1,500.
Williamsburg Community Foundation Focus Areas
Arts and CultureBuilding community wide cultural vibrancy will increase the quality of life for area residents and improve our economy.WCF Supports:Increasing access to the arts through performances in varied locations, discount ticket prices and opportunities to reach diverse audiences.Public art and free performances in public locations.Increasing the management capacity of arts organizations though staff and volunteer training or planning grants.Children and Young AdultsChildren and Young Adults represent the future of our community. By providing the support and opportunities to enable our youngest citizens to thrive we will create a more vibrant community for all of our residents.WCF Supports:Early childhood development.Positive youth development through after school and summer enrichment programs.Educational and therapeutic programs to enrich the quality of life for children and young adults with special needs.Educational programs and job training for young adults.Protecting children from abuse and neglect.Environment and ConservationWithin our efforts to improve the quality of life for area residents, protecting and conserving our community assets are a key component. Among the many treasures of our community are our rivers and waterways, parks, greenspaces and historical sites.WCF Supports:Programs that educate the public about our local environmental resources.Programs to promote the preservation and conservation of natural resources.Programs that promote the recreational and therapeutic use of our natural resources.Programs that engage local residents in our key physical resources.Health and Community WellnessResources are available to improve the quality of health and well-being for all residents.WCF Supports:Programs that improve the quality of life for lower income residents.Educational and therapeutic programs that enable adults with low literacy and special needs to more fully participate in community life.Local nonprofit providers for specific wellness needs, i.e. healthy meals, housing, transportation, etc.Other aspects of community life that improve wellbeing for area residents.Veterans and their families.Senior ServicesMembers of our community over 65 have opportunities to maintain their health and wellbeing.WCF Supports:Programs and services that help older adults stay informed, healthy, and engaged.Programs that increase the capacity of local organizations to support senior citizens who wish to age in place.Respite care or support groups for families of those with Alzheimer’s or other disease that requires home care services.

Eligibility

Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity, faith-based organization, or have a documented relationship with a fiscal agent who is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.Must have been a 501(c)(3) nonprofit long enough to have submitted at least one Form 990 to the IRS.Must have an annual operating budget of under $50,000.Must serve James City County, York County, and/or City of Williamsburg.Must serve one of the foundation’s priority areas: Arts & Culture Children & Young Adults Economic Mobility Environment & Conservation Health & Community WellnessSenior ServicesOrganizations may apply once per year. Grant expenditures may include anything that helps the organization become stronger and more sustainable, including but not limited to: conferences and training for volunteers, staff, or board members, technology/software/computer purchases, professional services, strategic planning, etc.

Ineligibility

Grants may not be used for fundraising events or capital campaigns.  The Foundation will not make grants for:unspecified use of fundsretroactive funding for any project expenses incurred before the Foundation’s decision datemulti-year grants or commitmentspublic and private K-12 schools except where specific funds (Altshuler Fund, Occasion for the Arts Fund) have indicated that the fund will support public and private K-12 schools Funding should be used to support activities or purchases that are not otherwise funded by local, state or federal government fundsreligious purposes (but may be made to religious organizations for projects with a broad-based, inclusive community benefit)political or partisan purposesindividualsa program or activity that engages in discrimination that would otherwise be prohibited by law