IMPORTANT UPDATES for Grant Applicants
To make it easier for nonprofits to apply for funding, WCF now uses one grant application for both of our competitive grant rounds, regardless of the type of funding requested. This streamlined process means your organization can apply for multiple funding opportunities with a single application.
In the past, organizations applied separately for Community Grants and Special Interest Grants (Altshuler Transportation, McGiffert Fund for the Performing Arts, and An Occasion for the Arts). Now there is just one application. All applications are automatically considered for Community Grants. See the dropdowns below for details and criteria.
Please note, the deadlines for 2025 have recently changed.
| Grant Type | Application | Deadline (Award) |
|---|---|---|
| Community Grants | Apply | January 3, 2025 (March 2025) |
| Altshuler Amateur Sports Grant | Apply | September 21, 2025 (November 2025) |
| Capacity Building Grant | Apply | No deadline - rolling applications |
You may request up to $5,000 for programs that benefit residents in the City of Williamsburg, James City County and York County.
WCF grantmaking priorities include the following broad categories (click on each to learn more):
Health & Community Wellness & Economic Mobility
WCF grants also impact the following special interest areas (click links for examples):
Affordable and Accessible Transportation - Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund
Visual Arts - An Occasion for the Arts
Vocal performances for adult audiences - Genevieve McGiffert Fund for the Musical Performing Arts
Support for low-income women and girls – Williamsburg Fund for Women & Girls
Support for low-income women and seniors – Peggy J. Swain Memorial Fund
Bicycling – Mary Turnbull Bike & Walk Fund
In the past, organizations applied separately for Community Grants and Special Interest grants (Altshuler Transportation Fund, McGiffert Fund for the Musical Performing Arts, and An Occasion for the Arts Fund). Now, there’s just one application.
All applicants may request up to $5,000. All applications are automatically considered for Community Grants funding. You may indicate your interest in field-of-interest funding by checking the appropriate box on the application.
If selected for a grant, your award may include funding from multiple WCF funds, which will be detailed in your award notification.
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.
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, wrestling club teams, and/or nonprofit sports programs. Only one team per school is eligible for funding each year. For-profit sports programs and club sports (except for wrestling) 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.
Grant Deadlines
The Williamsburg Community Foundation offers two Community Grants grant rounds, fall and spring. All applications typically open on the portal about 3 months prior to the deadline.
- Spring Community Grants Deadline: January 3, 2025 (Awarded in March)
- Fall Community Grants Deadline: July 11, 2025 (Awarded in September)
- Altshuler Amateur Sports Grants Deadline: September 21, 2025 (Awarded in November)
- Capacity Building Grants: Rolling - no deadline (Awarded within 4-6 weeks of applying)
Grant Guidelines
- Please carefully review the Grant Guidelines and Policies before applying for a grant.
- If you have never applied before, please contact us first: 757-259-1660, or schedule a meeting with our program officer.
- Organizations are eligible to receive only one grant per year.
- If you have already received a grant this year, you are not eligible to apply again.
- Review the Sample Application, Sample Budget Form and Sample Budget Narrative.
- Use the GoApply online grants portal to complete the grant application.
- Grant decisions are made by a volunteer committee and approved by the WCF Board of Trustees. A committee member may contact you for more information.
- Your grant application may be shared with WCF donors who may have an interest in supporting your request. Ineligible applications will not be shared.
- If funded, a final report is required at the end of one year, and you may be asked for a visit or follow-up phone call. Submit your final report through the online grants portal.