Grant Applications and Deadlines
Please submit a grant application, grant budget and any required attachments by the deadline indicated below.
Click here to start a grant application. This link will take you to register for a “GoApply” user account, which is new system we are using for grant applications. Click here to view GoApply instructions to help you with the new system.
| Grant (Award Date) | Application | Deadline(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Community Endowment (Oct. 2024) | Apply | June 15, 2024 |
| An Occasion for the Arts (March 2025) | Opens in October | December 15, 2024 |
| Genevieve McGiffert Fund for the Musical Performing Arts (March 2025) | Opens in October | December 15, 2024 |
| Altshuler Memorial Fund Transportation Grant (September, 2024) | Apply | Deadline June 15, 2024 |
| Altshuler Amateur Sports Grant (December 2024) | Opens in May | September 29, 2024 |
Rules for submitting applications:
- Read carefully the Grant Guidelines and Policies before completing the Grant Application and Budget Forms.
- Fill out the on-line application using the appropriate link above. Once you begin the online application, you can save and return to it as needed. Click here to view a sample Community Endowment Grant Application so you can preview the application questions.
- Review the Sample Budget Form and Sample Budget Narrative.
- If you are applying for more than one grant opportunity, please fill out a separate application and budget form for each grant.
- Applications must be completed by the deadline.
- Only applications completed on-line will be accepted.
- Applications will not be accepted if the organization’s final grant report for a previous grant is overdue.
- Applicants may apply for a Community Endowment grant and/or one of the other grants. Generally, an organization will receive only one Community Endowment grant in a calendar year (January – December). It is possible to receive both a Community Endowment grant and a grant from another fund within the same year.
We will be glad to answer any questions about the format or grant process, and we look forward to learning more about your ideas for enriching greater Williamsburg.
Call 757-259-1660 with questions prior to submitting your application.
Funding Cycle and Grant Deadlines
The Williamsburg Community Foundation has two grant rounds, fall and spring. Awards are announced in March and September.
Spring Grants
- Grants Available: Community Endowment Grants, Genevieve McGiffert Fund for the Musical Performing Arts, An Occasion for the Arts grants
- Application Available: October 2024
- Deadline: December 15, 2024
- Grants Awarded: mid-March 2025
Fall Grants
- Community Endowment and Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Transportation grants
- Application Available: Mid-May, 2024
- Deadline: June 15, 2024
- Grants Awarded: late September 2024
- Altshuler Amateur Sports Grants
- Application Available: Mid-May, 2024
- Deadline: September 29, 2024
- Awards announced in December 2024
- Capacity Building Grants
- Application Available: TBD 2024
- Deadline: TBD 2024
- Grants Awarded: TBD 2024
Grant Opportunities
Capacity Building Grants
- 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. Therefore, capacity building grants will be prioritized for organizations that have not been funded by WCF in the past.
- Grants of up to $1,500. Organizations may apply once per year.
- 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 Wellness, and Senior Services.
- Must have an annual operating budget of under $50,000.
- 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.
- 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.
- Grants may not be used for fundraising events or capital campaigns.
- Applicants will be notified of the outcome of this application via email and/or letter in mid-November.
Community Endowment Grants
- The Foundation is interested in receiving applications from organizations that support a broad range of community enrichment opportunities and respond to changing community needs.
- WCF grant investments impact the community through five specific areas of interest: Arts & Culture, Children & Young Adults, Environment & Conservation, Health & Community Wellness & Economic Mobility, and Senior Services.
- Grant requests must benefit citizens in the foundation’s service area, which encompasses Williamsburg, James City County and York County.
- Grants up to $5,000
Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Transportation Grants
- Established by the Estate of Benjamin Altshuler to make transportation accessible and affordable enabling all residents of the area to participate in community life
- Supports programs which provide transportation including public transportation
- Preference for programs assisting low-income residents and those without ready access to a car
- Grants up to $5,000
- Note: Organizations are only eligible to receive three consecutive years of transportation funding. They must wait for at least a year before applying again. Call the WCF office (757-259-1660) if you have questions regarding eligibility.
- Established by An Occasion for the Arts.
- Supports programs in visual arts such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, print making, ceramics, jewelry making, metal crafting, wood working, and glasswork. Preference for programs with positive community impact. This may include arts education, arts enrichment, arts competitions, public art, arts exhibits and cultural events.
- Grants up to $1,400
Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Amateur Sports Grants
- Provide financial assistance to amateur sports programs, with a preference for wrestling, but also in other athletic programs that are not readily available to the public.
- The grant aims to promote participation in sports by youth who would not otherwise be able to participate, particularly in sports that are not as well-known or as well-funded.
- For wrestling: school or club programs must be within the Bay Rivers District, which includes towns served by these high schools: Bruton, Grafton, Jamestown, Lafayette, New Kent, Poquoson, Smithfield, Tabb, Warhill, and York.
- For all other sports: must serve the Historic Triangle area (James City County, York County, and City of Williamsburg.)
- Grants may support public school teams, club teams, and/or nonprofit sports programs. For-profit sports programs are not eligible to apply. Private schools may apply, but will be given lower priority.
- Funds may be used to support scholarships to players, expenses for officials, and/or for equipment and uniforms. Funds may not be used to support hotel rooms, travel or coaches’ salaries.
- Preference will be given to applications which support low to moderate income children and youth.
- Grants up to $5,000
- Note: Organizations are only eligible to receive three consecutive years of sports funding. They must wait for at least a year before applying again. Call the WCF office (757-259-1660) if you have questions regarding eligibility.
Genevieve McGiffert Fund for the Musical Performing Arts
- Established by Linda and Donald Baker and Michael McGiffert to support vocal performances for adults.
- Supports vocal music performances intended for a primarily adult audience
- Grants up to $1,600
Applicants may apply for a Community Endowment grant and/or one of the others above. Generally, an organization will receive only one grant in a calendar year (January – December).
Questions? Contact us.
Grantmaking Overview
> Rules for Submitting Applications
> Funding Cycle and Grant Deadlines
> Grant Guidelines and Policies
> Grant Opportunities
>Recent Grants
>Grant Seeker’s Resources
Apply for a Grant
> Grant Applications and Deadlines
>User Guide
>Training Video
>Sample Community Endowment Grant Application
> Budget Form