2025 Spring and Fall
Community Grants Programs
Spring Grants Program
Purpose
The Spring Grants Program funds capital projects and proven programs that address the needs of Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) residents in these six broad focus areas:
Arts and Culture: Promoting participation in arts and cultural activities and preserving cultural heritage for current and future generations.
Child, Family, and Social Welfare: Improving quality of life for vulnerable ESVA residents, particularly by addressing basic human needs.
Economic Stability: Helping individuals overcome barriers to self-sufficiency and prosperity, including projects addressing housing and employment readiness.
Education: Preparing children for academic, work and lifelong success.
Environment: Protecting natural resources and promoting environmental education and stewardship.
Health & Wellness: Supporting access to health services and programs that encourage healthy behaviors.
Eligibility
Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Accomack or Northampton counties.
Any organization that has received a Spring Grant beginning in 2025 (or any ESVCF Competitive Grant prior to 2025) must wait 5 years after receiving the grant before applying for another Spring Grant.
Timeline
Application Deadline: March 1
Grant Decisions: Announced after the April Board Meeting
Grant Distribution: June
Final Report Due: 12 months after distribution
Grant Priorities
Capital Projects:
Emphasis on long-term benefits such as construction, renovations, and equipment purchases.
Priority will be given to applications that fulfill matching grants.
Routine or ongoing maintenance projects are generally not considered.
Program Support:
Priority for programs with demonstrated positive impact in one of the six ESVCF focus areas.
Innovative projects addressing critical unmet needs will be considered if the organization demonstrates sound management and fiscal accountability.
Grants generally do not cover operating or administrative costs.
Special Initiatives:
ESVCF may participate in time-limited collaborative funding efforts for priority community needs.
ESVCF may support initiatives such as studies, needs assessments, and other projects that enhance understanding of local needs, identify new opportunities to benefit residents, or strengthen local nonprofit capacity.
Spring Grants Award Limit
Maximum Grant Amount: $50,000
Fall Small Grant Program
Purpose
The Fall Small Grants Program is a pilot program for 2025. It is designed to meet additional community needs and supports:
Innovative programs addressing critical needs in:
Early Childhood Development/Education
Health and Wellness
Economic Stability
Emerging Community Needs
2. Capacity building to strengthen local nonprofits' leadership, systems, and processes.
Eligibility
Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Accomack or Northampton counties.
Organizations need not wait five years between grants; however:
If funded for two consecutive years, organizations must sit out one year before reapplying unless addressing a critical need, as approved by ESVCF.
Timeline
Application Deadline: September 1
Grant Decisions: Announced after the October Board Meeting
Grant Distribution: December
Final Report Due: 12 months after distribution
Grant Priorities
Program Extension or Expansion:
Focus on extending or improving successful programs or addressing emerging participant needs focusing on the critical need areas listed above.
Seed Funding:
Support promising new programs with potential for significant community impact focusing on the critical need areas listed above.
Priority will be given to collaborative programs that support two or more non-profits and projects needing matching funds.
Capacity Building:
Focus on small nonprofits (fewer than three full-time staff or annual budgets under $1 million) working with economically disadvantaged populations.
Eligible uses include leadership development, staff training, technology, strategic planning, and sustainability efforts.
Fall Small Grants Award Limit
Maximum Grant Amount: $10,000