March 12, 2026 – Today, the Williamsburg Community Foundation awarded $131,600 in grants to 30 local nonprofits serving greater Williamsburg.
While individual grants are modest in size, their reach extends across Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. Grants support programs that help children succeed, expand access to the arts, improve health and wellness, protect the environment, support older adults, and open doors to economic opportunity. Together, these grants support the larger goal to help our neighbors thrive.
The community foundation has steadily increased its community grantmaking in recent years. A successful 25th Anniversary campaign that came to a close in 2025, combined with strong investment performance led to a decision by the community foundation’s investment committee to increase its endowment payout to 4%, which means more funding flowing to nonprofits.
This round of grants includes awards from several of the Foundation’s funds that focus on specific areas of community life, including the Genevieve McGiffert Fund for the Musical Performing Arts; the Greater Williamsburg Transportation Assistance Fund; and the Williamsburg Landing Fund, which supports programs for seniors.
Support from the community foundation’s donor-advised fund holders Linda T. Baker, Dan & Micki Chapin, Jill & Alex Guzman, and Kathy & Bruce Hornsby added $12,000 to this spring’s grant round, allowing the Community Foundation to fund projects that otherwise could not have received support.
The 30 nonprofit grant recipients were recognized at a grant awards luncheon on March 12, graciously sponsored by Compass Wealth Strategies. The event offered an opportunity to celebrate the work of local nonprofits and the donors whose generosity makes their work possible.
Nonprofits interested in applying for future grants and donors looking to support local initiatives can learn more at williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org or contact (757) 259-1660.
The following is a list of competitive grant recipients and their projects, listed by priority area:
Arts & Culture
The Arc of Greater Williamsburg ($3,000) thearcgw.org Arts & Culture programs at The Arc offer accessible, inclusive art classes, museum visits, concerts, performances, and more. These provide creative outlets and promote self-expression for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Opera in Williamsburg ($5,000) operainwilliamsburg.org In addition to their operas, Opera in Williamsburg performs at least two art song concerts a year in Williamsburg. These will be offered to the public as PWYW (pay-what-you-wish), with no minimum (i.e., free).
The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra ($5,000) williamsburgsymphony.org The Williamsburg Symphony’s Masterworks Concert series, will connect and educate the community. The six diverse full symphonic concerts, including a family pops and fourth and fifth grade educational concerts will feature acclaimed guest artists.
Williamsburg Youth Orchestra ($5,000) wyomusic.org is launching the M3loDy Makers program at Magruder Elementary School, where more than 1/3 of the students are economically disadvantaged. Through the program, WSO will offer free afterschool violin instruction—using 3D-printed violins – to 20 students in grades 3–5 throughout the 2026–27 school year.
Williamsburg Choral Guild ($1,600) williamsburgchoralguild.org will perform a selection of choral fantasias for the organization’s Holiday Concert for the Guild’s 51st Season.
Children & Young Adults
Echo Family Care Partners: ($2,000) wearetheecho.org EFCP will expand its intergenerational trauma training program for relatives raising children in their families, with the goal of fewer foster care entries.
Made 4 Connection: ($2,000) made4connection.org will teach and coach caregivers of traumatized children who otherwise cannot afford training.
Girls Sports Academy ($5,000) girlssportsacademy.org will inspire over 300 girls in the local area while building their confidence through female-empowered, multi-sport programs. Providing scholarships and a safe/supportive environment, this fund will help every girl succeed.
No Shame. Period. ($5,000) noshameperiod.org Period packs (a makeup bag containing a teen-sized menstrual pad, a new pair of underwear, a plastic baggie, an individual wrapped wet wipe, and a little encouragement item) will be available for elementary and middle school students.
Real People Educating Others ($5,000) rpeova.org will deliver spring and summer youth programs including a five-week mentorship series, Spring Break basketball camp, football skills camp, and a Back-to-School Community Day event.
Housing & Economic Mobility
Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia, Inc. ($5,000) cceva.org Ascend brings CCEVA’s successful Mobility Mentoring program to mothers in Williamsburg, York County, and James City County, providing participant-led coaching and financial supports to help them achieve stability and long-term economic mobility.
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula & Greater Williamsburg ($5,000) habitatpgw.org Habitat PGW seeks funding for A Brush with Kindness, which provides low-cost exterior home repairs that improve safety and accessibility for seniors, veterans, disabled, and low-income homeowners, helping them stay safely in their homes.
Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP) ($5,000) grasp4va.org GRASP will provide in-school and virtual financial aid advising to students at Jamestown, Lafayette and Warhill high schools. This is a free service for the students and their parents.
Literacy for Life ($5,000) literacyforlife.org Literacy for Life will conduct learner assessments that, together with its main database and library system, support measurable, goal-oriented learning that strengthens individuals, families, and the broader community.
Virginia Housing Alliance ($5,000) vahousingalliance.org The VHA works to build coalitions, educate policymakers, and advance legislation that expands access to affordable housing.
Williamsburg House of Mercy, Inc. ($5,000) williamsburghouseofmercy.org The Harbor Day Shelter at the Williamsburg House of Mercy is Greater Williamsburg’s only day shelter for those experiencing homelessness. This grant will support the WATA bus passes that guests of the shelter receive.
Environment & Conservation
James City County Master Gardeners Association ($1,500) jccwmg.org The Hotwater Settlement was home for slaves who were freed in 1803. The current site in Freedom Park, Williamsburg, VA, has thirteen raised beds that have been neglected.
Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation ($5,000) historicjamestowne.org JRF will offer fully subsidized (i.e., free) youth admission to Historic Jamestowne for Williamsburg, JCC, and York County families utilizing SNAP benefits. This program will help JRF build the institutional capacity to participate in the Museums for All initiative.
James River Association ($5,000) thejamesriver.org The James River Association (JRA) will engage 20 students from York County Public Schools through one week of hands-on environmental summer programming focused on fishing and exploration of the James River ecosystems and marine life.
Health & Community Wellness
Avalon Center ($5,000) avaloncenter.org Avalon will operate its 24-hour emergency shelter and support services provided for domestic and sexual abuse survivors and their children located in the Historic Triangle area.
Center for Child and Family Services ($5,000) kidsandfamilies.com The CCFS Williamsburg Office will provide trauma counseling, substance abuse treatment, and domestic violence intervention while keeping the organization’s client services affordable and accessible.
Colonial Behavioral Health ($5,000) colonialbh.org will convert an existing office space to create a sensory room within the Opportunities Unlimited-Day Services program for adults 18 years and older with developmental disabilities.
FISH, Inc. ($5,000) fishwilliamsburg.org FISH will be able to focus on specific needs that arise in 2026, whether that be food for the organization’s shelves or clothing.
Grove Christian Outreach Center ($5,000) groveoutreach.com Grove Christian Outreach will provide WATA bus passes and walker wagon support for neighbors who travel on foot to the organization’s center, ensuring safe and reliable access to food assistance and essential services across greater Williamsburg.
Lackey Clinic ($5,000) lackeyclinic.org Lackey Clinic will pilot a periodontal care program for underserved residents. Using a saliva test that measures gum disease activity, the organization will track improvements before and after treatment.
Olde Towne Medical and Dental Clinic ($5,000) otmdc.org will upgrade critically outdated technology modern, secure systems that safeguard patient data and improve operations.
Triangle Stepping Stones ($2,500) trianglesteppingstones.com Triangle Stepping Stones will support more than 25 weekly 12-step meetings. This funding will help sustain vital community-based recovery programs that promote long-term sobriety and peer support.
Virginia Peninsula Foodbank ($5,000) hrfoodbank.org The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank will offer its Mobile Food Pantry as it addresses food insecurity in the city of Williamsburg and the surrounding counties by delivering food directly to those who need it most.
Senior Services
Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels ($5,000) williamsburgmealsonwheels.com Meals on Wheels will expand its capacity to deliver hot meals, as well as boxes of prepared and fresh foods to senior clients and to those living in transitional and temporary housing. In 2025, over 200 seniors were served daily through hot noon-day meals; 300 families were given weekly hot family meals; and 300 students received summer lunches.
YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas ($4,000) ymcavp.org The PD Strong Program delivers Parkinson’s-specific fitness/mobility training that improves strength, balance, and quality of life in a safe, supportive setting.