Grant funding from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Nonprofit organizations providing services in Northern Virginia are invited to apply annually for a Community Investment Fund grant in one of the following areas: 

  • Child and Youth Development – positive youth development programs that support and provide opportunities to children and youth who may be at risk due to poverty (defined as up to 200% of the federal poverty level.) Programs serving children and youth (ages 5 and up) in high need areas of Northern Virginia will be considered.
  • Education – programs that support English language proficiency for non-English speaking children and/or their parents. Early childhood education programs for children from low/moderate income families.
  • Poverty Relief – programs that provide assistance to people affected by poverty, including food, shelter, eviction/foreclosure prevention and other emergency assistance. Programs to promote self-sufficiency will also be considered.
  • Health, mental health and aging – programs that improve access to health care for those who are un- or under-insured. Support services for people with disabilities. Also programs serving Northern Virginia’s elderly populations, particularly those who are low income or vulnerable.
  • Military Personnel & Families – programs that support military personnel, veterans and their families in the greater Washington D.C. metro area, including support for military families while their loved one is deployed or recovering from an injury, including help with the economic hardships that can occur around a deployment. Job training and placement for returning veterans and their spouses; health and general welfare of recovering soldiers.  

Grants from the Community Investment Fund provide capacity building, program, and general support to nonprofits providing services in Northern Virginia. Grants are up to $10,000. These priorities within the five areas reflect the findings of “A Portrait of Children in Northern Virginia 2010” which highlights demographic, economic, and social trends that impact children and youth ages in Northern Virginia. 
_________________________________________________________

Timeline for the 2011/2012 Community Investment Fund (already in process):
July 29, 2011 - Online application available by clicking here (please note, if you don't have an account already you will be prompted to create one)
October 7, 2011 - Applications due
January, 2012- Board of Directors approves Grants Committee funding recommendations
February, 2012 - Applicants notified of funding status
December 15, 2012 - Grant reports due from grantees

2012-2013 Timeline will be released in May 2012
__________________________________________________________

Who can apply? 
The Community Foundation will consider requests for grants that meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or organizations providing charitable or educational services. Local, state and federal government entities are not eligible to apply.

  • Grant requests for capacity building, program or general support purposes will be considered. Funding may be used to support, expand or enhance existing programs or to start new programs. Applications for capital improvements, endowments, or scholarship awards will not be considered.

  • Grants will be made to organizations providing services in Northern Virginia (defined as the areas within Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties and the City of Alexandria.)  Grants for the Military Personnel & Families Fund will be made throughout the metro DC area. 

  • Organizations are limited to one application each. Multiple applications will not be considered. 

  • Grant requests should be for $5,000 or $7,500 or $10,000. 

  • Applicants must complete the Community Investment Fund Grant Application online.

  • Applications that are late or incomplete will not be considered.