Apply for a Grant

Grant Applications and Deadlines
Please submit a grant application, grant budget and any required attachments by the deadline indicated below.  PLEASE NOTE NEW DEADLINES FOR 2025 GRANT CYCLES.
Click here to start a grant application. This link will take you to register for a “GoApply” user account. Click here to view GoApply instructions.

Rules for submitting applications:

1. Read carefully the Grant Guidelines and Policies before completing the Grant Application and Budget Forms. Ineligible applications will not be considered.
2. 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.
3. Review the Sample Budget Form and Sample Budget Narrative.
4. If you are applying for more than one grant opportunity, please fill out a separate application and budget form for each grant. 
5. Applications must be completed by the deadline.
6. Applications will not be accepted if the organization’s final grant report for a previous grant is overdue. 
7. Applicants may apply for a Community Endowment grant and/or one of the other grants. Each organization is eligible to receive one Community Endowment grant per CALENDAR year (January – December). If your organization received a grant in the spring round, you are NOT eligible to apply for a grant in the fall round. Ineligible applications will not be reviewed or shared with foundation donors. However, you may apply for a grant from another fund (Altshuler Transportation, McGiffert Fund, etc.)

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: January 3, 2025
• Grants Awarded:  mid-March 2025

Fall Grants

• Community Endowment and Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Transportation grants
  • Application Available: Mid-May, 2025
  • Deadline: July 11, 2025
  • Grants Awarded: Sep./Oct. 2025
• Altshuler Amateur Sports Grants
  • Application Available: Mid-May, 2025
  • Deadline: September 21, 2025
  • Awards announced in November 2025
• Capacity Building Grants
  • Application Available: August 2024
  • Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis (no deadline)
  • Grants Awarded: You will receive notification with 4-6 weeks of application.

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. 
• 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.  
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and notification of award will be made within 4-6 weeks of application. 

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.

An Occasion for the Arts Fund

• 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 $1,700

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. (Baseball, basketball and football are excluded.)
• 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.
• All school or club programs must be located in the service area, which includes New Kent County, Charles City County, James City County, York County, Poquoson, Newport News, Hampton, and Isle of Wight County.
• 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 $2,500
• 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 $2,000

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
>Sample Community Endowment Grant Application
> Budget Form

Reporting on Grants

>Grant Final Report