Best Rappahannock County Grants for Nonprofits in Virginia

Rotary Club of Gulfport Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Rotary Club of Gulfport Scholarship Endowment Fund is funded by the Rotary Club of Gulfport and was established in February 1997 for the purpose of providing scholarship assistance to graduating seniors of Gulfport High School, St. Patrick Catholic High School, West Harrison High School and Harrison Central High School in recognition of their academic accomplishments. Applicants must be a resident of the city of Gulfport.

Rotary Club of Biloxi Scholarship Endowment Fund

The Rotary Club of Biloxi Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in June 1999. This scholarship is funded by the Rotary Club of Biloxi for the purpose of providing scholarship assistance to a graduating senior of Biloxi High School, St. Patrick Catholic High School, D’Iberville High School, or the Mississippi School of Math and Science, or a homeschool senior student registered with the County Attendance Office and whose parent or legal guardian resides in Biloxi.

Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation

For over 25 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to leaving a legacy for future generations by promoting philanthropy, providing charitable opportunities, and facilitating donors’ interests. We work alongside donors and community partners to help meet area needs, create solutions, and inspire action to build a vibrant community today and a stronger community for tomorrow. 

Scholarships

The Community Foundation is home to 50 scholarship funds established by generous individuals, organizations and businesses to help students from our community and surrounding areas pursue their dreams through education. 

Association of North Texas Construction Professionals (ANTCP) Scholarship

The Association of North Texas Construction Professionals (ANTCP) Scholarship was opened in 2020. The ANTCP Scholarship is for students who are engaged in, OR whose family members have been engaged in, a construction trade. It is open to current college students residing in, OR graduating seniors of high schools in, Wichita, Archer, Clay or Wilbarger counties. There are (2) $1,500 ANTCP scholarships available each year, they can be used for any field of study at a 4-year college in the US, renewable for up to 4 years with a 2.5 cumulative GPA, OR a one-time scholarship for any vocational/trade program in the U.S.

Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation

For over 25 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to leaving a legacy for future generations by promoting philanthropy, providing charitable opportunities, and facilitating donors’ interests. We work alongside donors and community partners to help meet area needs, create solutions, and inspire action to build a vibrant community today and a stronger community for tomorrow. 

Scholarships

The Community Foundation is home to 50 scholarship funds established by generous individuals, organizations and businesses to help students from our community and surrounding areas pursue their dreams through education. 

Bill Mahoney Memorial Scholarship

The Bill Mahoney Memorial Scholarship was opened in 2021 by Bill's daughter, Mandy, to honor her father's memory. Mr. Mahoney was a long-time teacher of the Arts at Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls. This one-time scholarship, ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, is for graduating seniors of WFISD attending any college, university, or vocational school and majoring in the Arts. Recipient must be a U.S. citizen.

Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation

For over 25 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to leaving a legacy for future generations by promoting philanthropy, providing charitable opportunities, and facilitating donors’ interests. We work alongside donors and community partners to help meet area needs, create solutions, and inspire action to build a vibrant community today and a stronger community for tomorrow. 

Scholarships

The Community Foundation is home to 50 scholarship funds established by generous individuals, organizations and businesses to help students from our community and surrounding areas pursue their dreams through education. 

Charles Philbin Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Charlie Philbin, grandson of Dianne and Mark Prothro. Charlie and his two brothers were all Eagle Scouts and recognized the importance of scouting and service to their community. The scholarship is available to one new student each year, and is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate education with a 3.0 GPA. Graduating high school seniors and current college students who have participated in the Scouting America Northwest TX Council and are from Archer, Clay, and Wichita counties are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Extra-curricular activities will be considered, and preference given to those obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation

For over 25 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to leaving a legacy for future generations by promoting philanthropy, providing charitable opportunities, and facilitating donors’ interests. We work alongside donors and community partners to help meet area needs, create solutions, and inspire action to build a vibrant community today and a stronger community for tomorrow. 

Scholarships

The Community Foundation is home to 50 scholarship funds established by generous individuals, organizations and businesses to help students from our community and surrounding areas pursue their dreams through education. 

Elga Ann Denny Scholarship Fund

The Elga Ann Denny Scholarship fund was created to benefit the graduating seniors of Iowa Park CISD. Elga Ann Denny was a long time resident of Iowa Park. Ms. Denny passed away in May 2022 at the age of 88. In her will, she left instructions to create a scholarship fund for the students of Iowa Park. These funds can be used at any college or trade school, for any field of study. There are a number of one-time $2,000 scholarships available, and (2) $4,000 renewable scholarships available, that could renew for up to 4 years based on GPA. 

Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation

For over 25 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to leaving a legacy for future generations by promoting philanthropy, providing charitable opportunities, and facilitating donors’ interests. We work alongside donors and community partners to help meet area needs, create solutions, and inspire action to build a vibrant community today and a stronger community for tomorrow. 

Scholarships

The Community Foundation is home to 50 scholarship funds established by generous individuals, organizations and businesses to help students from our community and surrounding areas pursue their dreams through education. 

Kelley Gill Bloodworth Memorial Scholarship

The Kelley Gill Bloodworth Memorial Scholarship was established in 2021 by the Bloodworth family, in memory of their loving wife and mother. The family wanted to honor her memory by establishing this award for the school and community that Kelley was so passionate about, Henrietta, Texas. The scholarship is for graduating seniors in Clay County, with preference for Henrietta High School students, attending any 4-year college or university in the US, majoring in Business, Finance, Accounting, or Education.

Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation

For over 25 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to leaving a legacy for future generations by promoting philanthropy, providing charitable opportunities, and facilitating donors’ interests. We work alongside donors and community partners to help meet area needs, create solutions, and inspire action to build a vibrant community today and a stronger community for tomorrow. 

Scholarships

The Community Foundation is home to 50 scholarship funds established by generous individuals, organizations and businesses to help students from our community and surrounding areas pursue their dreams through education. 

Martin Luther King Center – Dorothy Roberts-Burns Scholarship

The Dorothy Roberts-Burns Scholarship fund was opened at WFACF in 2014 in association with the Martin Luther King Center of Wichita Falls, to honor the life and memory of Dorothy Roberts-Burns. Ms. Burns was the first director of the MLK Center and founded the MLK Breakfast in 1987 to raise scholarship money for local students. After 40 years working various positions for the city, Dorothy "retired" and went on to serve 8 years on the city council, and as Mayor Pro Tempore. She is remembered for loving people, loving her community, and for the lasting impact the MLK Breakfast has had and continues to have each year, helping to fund local students' education. The one-time $1,000 scholarship is for current college students OR graduating high school seniors who attended high school in Wichita or Wilbarger counties in Texas. The scholarship can be used at any college/university in Texas or Oklahoma or a HBCU, for any field of study.

Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation

For over 25 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to leaving a legacy for future generations by promoting philanthropy, providing charitable opportunities, and facilitating donors’ interests. We work alongside donors and community partners to help meet area needs, create solutions, and inspire action to build a vibrant community today and a stronger community for tomorrow. 

Scholarships

The Community Foundation is home to 50 scholarship funds established by generous individuals, organizations and businesses to help students from our community and surrounding areas pursue their dreams through education. 

Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund

The Martin Luther King Scholarship Endowment is one of our most tenured scholarships, opened in 2001, with the intention to provide scholarships for traditionally underrepresented populations to encourage them to pursue secondary education. The one-time $1,000 scholarship is for current college students OR graduating high school seniors who attended high school in Wichita or Wilbarger counties in Texas. The scholarship can be used at any college/university in Texas or Oklahoma or a HBCU, for any field of study. To be eligible, students must have a 2.5-3.8 GPA, be a U.S. citizen, and have a household income below $90,000.

Youth Service America

Youth Service America believes that youth, communities, and our democracy thrive when we all work together for the common good. YSA is a leading global nonprofit that activates young people, ages 5-25, to find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful civic and 21st Century skills as they solve problems facing their communities. YSA supports its activation campaigns with grants, training and resources, and recognition programs for young people and their adult champions. Youth-led projects use Awareness, Service, Advocacy, and Philanthropy (ASAP) strategies to create social and environmental change.

Our vision is that youth participation in working together for the common good becomes the common expectation and common experience of all young people in America. Even though youth participation rates are at or near record-high levels, we’re still leaving 3 of every 4 young people out, and participation rates are even lower among youth from underserved low-income communities and communities of color.

We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants

YSA’s We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants are for organizations, schools, and youth changemakers ages 5-25 to lead service projects on or around September 11, 2026. Programming efforts should also honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their families, and those who rose in service in response to that tragedy.

This year, YSA will award up to 100 grants of $1,000 each. Grantees are required to engage at least 100 youth as volunteers in planning and implementing the service activities.

Reflecting on the spirit of togetherness that brought people together in the days, weeks, and months after September 11th, we are especially looking for ideas that bring together all members of the community.

Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing service that offers servers and data centers to organizations worldwide. AWS is a part of Amazon dedicated to delivering web services to developers and businesses who build online applications.

AWS support offers a range of plans that provide access to tools and expertise to aid the success and operational health of your AWS solutions. All support plans provide 24/7 access to customer service, AWS documentation, white papers, and support forums. For technical support and more resources to plan, deploy, and improve your AWS environment, you can select a support plan that best aligns with your needs.

AWS Nonprofit Credit Program

The AWS Nonprofit Credit Program provides access to up to $5,000 USD in AWS Promotional Credit, helping to offset costs for nonprofits associated with implementing cloud-based solutions. This helps nonprofits meet mission goals without upfront investment in physical infrastructure.

Your organization needs reliability and efficiency to run applications that support your website and operations. AWS infrastructure for websites, fundraising, database management, and more provide rapid access to flexible and low-cost IT resources.

Reduce IT costs

• AWS gives you the flexibility to scale and save on IT costs by not having to invest in physical infrastructure. Use only the resources you need when you need them.

Increase giving

• AWS offers advanced, cost-effective services that let you simply process, analyze, and visualize data so you can make well-informed targeting and fundraising decisions.

Scale globally

• AWS lets you widen your global reach and deploy solutions where they are needed. Equip volunteers and staff with the tools, resources, and access they need without long-term licensing agreements.

About Us

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources is the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in Virginia. As the SHPO, DHR administers a number of federal programs. DHR is also a state agency in the Natural and Historic Resources Secretariat. DHR fosters, encourages, and supports the stewardship and use of Virginia’s significant architectural, archaeological, and historic resources as valuable assets for the economic, educational, social, and cultural benefit of citizens and communities. Our programs include both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, Survey, Grants, Archaeology, Cemetery Preservation, African American and Tribal Outreach, the Historical Highway Marker program, 106 Review and Compliance, Conservation, Collections, Easements, and the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program.

Certified Local Government Grants (CLG)

Certified Local Government (CLG) designation allows a jurisdiction to apply for CLG grants through federal Historic Preservation Funds (HPF). Ten percent of all HPF monies that come to the Commonwealth of Virginia must be distributed to CLGs. DHR does this through a competitive grant process, open only to CLGs.

Communities strengthen and expand their local preservation programs through Certified Local Government (CLG) designation. The CLG program was created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended in 1980). It establishes a partnership between local governments, the federal historic preservation program(National Park Service), and each state’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), which in the case of Virginia is the Department of Historic Resources (DHR).

Information

The program allows DHR, as the SHPO, to recommend for certification local governments that have put key elements of a sound local preservation program in place in their communities. Designation as a CLG gives local governments a way to participate more formally in the state and national historic preservation programs. General requirements for certification are identified in the federal program; specific requirements for the Virginia program have been established by DHR.

Goals of the Virginia CLG program are threefold:

• Promote viable communities through preservation
• Recognize and reward communities with sound local preservation programs
• Establish credentials of quality for local preservation programs

Benefits of CLG Designation

There are many advantages to earning CLG designation as a community. The program helps a community with preservation generally in three ways, since it—

• promotes community-wide preservation;
• recognizes and supports a community’s local preservation programs; and
• establishes the credentials of quality for local preservation programs.

As a CLG, a community

• assumes a formal role in the identification, evaluation, and protection of its heritage resources;
• has the right to comment on the eligibility of resources nominated for listing in the National Register of Historic Places in its jurisdiction;
• receives technical assistance from DHR and the National Park Service;
• learns from each other CLGs by sharing experiences, concerns, solutions to problems;
• can apply for matching grants for preservation programs from a 10% share of Virginia’s annual federal appropriation;
• gains full access to DHR’s GIS-based Virginia Cultural Resource database (V-CRIS), an $800 value annually;
• is eligible for stipends to selected preservation conferences and workshops;
• is automatically considered for the DHR Cost Share Program funding for survey projects in which CLG grant funding is unavailable; and
• is granted the right to be a “consulting party” in a project requiring Section 106 review.

CLG grants can be used in the following ways:

• for surveys of architectural or archaeological resources;
• for preparation of Preliminary Information Forms or National Register of Historic Places nominations for local heritage resources;
• for heritage stewardship planning projects such as drafting historic preservation plans, archaeological assessments, preservation components of comprehensive plans, or condition assessment reports;
• for public education programs concerned with a heritage stewardship program;
• for local review board or targeted audience training and education projects such as development of materials or programs, including training sessions and hands-on workshops;
• for testing archaeological sites to determine their significance or for pure research, education, or mitigation (as the latter pertains to Section 106 requirements);
• for rehabilitation of buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places that are publicly owned or are privately owned and selected through a local grant competition;
• for drafting new or updated design guidelines; and
• for materials research on a rehabilitation project.

DHR is currently reviewing the CLG program requirements to identify other local government planning efforts that promote heritage stewardship activities and that contribute to an effective local preservation program. As a result of this review, some of the requirements for the CLG program may be amended.

Virginia Department of Education

The Virginia Department of Education is the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. VDOE works in partnership with Virginia’s 132 school divisions to support and improve teaching and learning, set high expectations for all students, and promote student safety, wellbeing, and health.

Virginia Adult Education Competitive Grant Program

Purpose of WIOA Title II

In accordance with the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, the purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist eligible providers in developing, implementing, and improving adult education and literacy programs to provide concurrent services that focus on the following:

• Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
• Assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that are necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children, and lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
• Assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including through career pathways; and
• Assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in improving their reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; mathematics skills; and acquiring an understanding of the American system of government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

This grant funding includes opportunities 1.0 – Adult Education Regional Programs, 2.0 – Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE), and 3.0 – Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals (C&I).

Adult Education Activities (Adult Education Regional Programs)

Eligible providers will be required to provide adult education services based on identified needs in the region. Programs must also prepare adult learners for and support them in achieving successful transitions to postsecondary education, training, or employment.

Eligible providers are required to offer all the activities below, per the WIOA Combined State Plan and the State Priorities:

• Adult education
• Literacy
• English language acquisition activities
• Workforce preparation activities
• Integrated education and training (IET)

Eligible providers may also offer the following activities, with justification of need:

• Integrated English literacy and civics education
• Workplace adult education and literacy activities
• Family literacy activities

Virginia Department of Education

The Virginia Department of Education is the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. VDOE works in partnership with Virginia’s 132 school divisions to support and improve teaching and learning, set high expectations for all students, and promote student safety, wellbeing, and health.

Virginia Adult Education Competitive Grant Program

Purpose of WIOA Title II

In accordance with the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, the purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist eligible providers in developing, implementing, and improving adult education and literacy programs to provide concurrent services that focus on the following:

• Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
• Assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that are necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children, and lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
• Assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including through career pathways; and
• Assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in improving their reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; mathematics skills; and acquiring an understanding of the American system of government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

This grant funding includes opportunities 1.0 – Adult Education Regional Programs, 2.0 – Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE), and 3.0 – Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals (C&I).

Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE)

The IELCE program enables adult English Language Learners (ELL), including professionals with degrees and credentials in their native countries, to increase their proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehension skills in English and mathematics using standards-based instruction in order to understand and navigate American systems of government, individual freedom, and responsibilities of citizenship while preparing them for unsubsidized employment for in-demand industries that leads to a family-sustaining wage. All IELCE providers must offer at least one IET; not all IELCE participants must be enrolled in this component. 

IELCE Funds

IELCE grants are not allocated within the regional structure of adult education. Rather, they are competed and awarded based on demonstrated local need to develop education and training opportunities for local immigrant and refugee populations and the applicant’s past effectiveness in delivering such services. Eligible applicants for regional adult education providers, as well as other eligible applicants, including a consortium, may submit a single application for a local IELCE award.

Virginia Department of Education

The Virginia Department of Education is the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. VDOE works in partnership with Virginia’s 132 school divisions to support and improve teaching and learning, set high expectations for all students, and promote student safety, wellbeing, and health.

Virginia Adult Education Competitive Grant Program

Purpose of WIOA Title II

In accordance with the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA), Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, the purpose of this funding opportunity is to assist eligible providers in developing, implementing, and improving adult education and literacy programs to provide concurrent services that focus on the following:

• Assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
• Assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain the education and skills that are necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children, and lead to sustainable improvements in the economic opportunities for their family;
• Assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and in the transition to postsecondary education and training, including through career pathways; and
• Assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners in improving their reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in English; mathematics skills; and acquiring an understanding of the American system of government, individual freedom, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

This grant funding includes opportunities 1.0 – Adult Education Regional Programs, 2.0 – Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE), and 3.0 – Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals (C&I).

Corrections Education and Other Institutionalized Individuals (C&I) 

The purpose of this funding is to support educational programs for criminal offenders in correctional institutions and other institutionalized individuals. The C&I-funded instruction must give priority to serving individuals who are likely to leave the correctional institution within five years of participation in the program. Examples of institutional facilities that are eligible for these services include local and regional jails, Virginia Department of Corrections facilities (with special permission), halfway houses, community corrections alternative programs, and confined recovery facilities. These funds may not be used for participation in post-release programs or services. All C&I providers must offer at least one IET; not all C&I participants must be enrolled in this component.

C&I Funds

C&I grants are no longer allocated with the regional structure of adult education. Rather, to ensure a direct and equitable competition, these funds are competed and awarded based on demonstrated local need and active partnerships with correctional facilities and institutions. Eligible applicants for regional adult education providers, as well as other eligible applicants, including a consortium, may submit a single application for a C&I award.

Department of Environmental Quality

Responsible for administering laws and regulations related to air quality, water quality, water supply, renewable energy and land protection, DEQ is the primary environmental permitting agency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Through the work more than 800 employees at six regional offices across the state and the Central Office in Richmond, DEQ issues permits, conducts monitoring and inspections, and enforces the law. 

Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source (NPS)Implementation Program

Purpose and Background

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is making available up to $1.5 million in Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319(h) grant funding through this Request for Application (RFA) to support implementation of goals and milestones included in eligible Nonpoint Source (NPS) cleanup plans. DEQ also anticipates up to an additional $2 million will be available for septic repair, replacement and connection projects. Cleanup plans include a variety of types of plans, including but not limited to implementation plans (IPs), advance restoration plans (ARPs) and watershed-based plans (WBPs). In Virginia, Implementation Plans are the most commonly developed type of plan and henceforth this document will only reference the term IP.

This RFA is intended to identify implementation projects that do not currently have an active or pending CWA Section 319(h) Subrecipient Agreement(s) in the cleanup plan of interest. Existing subrecipients who wish to continue their current project should contact their assigned DEQ NPS Regional Coordinator or email to inquire about the process of continuing their current CWA Section 319(h)-funded project.

Project Types

Implementation of eligible U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-accepted (nine element) cleanup plans and related best management practice (BMP) installation, information and outreach and water quality monitoring.

GO Virginia Program Overview

GO Virginia is a collaborative economic development initiative, that provides project-based incentives to encourage collaboration between private industry, higher education and local government in each region to produce results that will grow and diversify the regional economies and ultimately the commonwealth.

To achieve the program goals, the GO Virginia State Board has created nine regional councils. These councils are responsible for developing regional Growth and Diversification Plans and implementing those plans through the submission of project applications. Applications approved at the regional level are advanced to the GO Virginia State Board for funding.

The GO Virginia State Board has identified four primary investment strategies to achieve the program goals. The four priority investment strategies are:

• Workforce Development – building talent pipelines aligned with business needs that increases the pool of qualified workers
• Site Development and Infrastructure - preparing a regional portfolio of business-ready sites that attract private investment
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Startup Ecosystem) - creating a resource-rich environment for scalable start-ups and early-stage companies 
• Cluster Scale-Up -  helping existing regional industries grow and compete at a larger scale

All successful projects should align with at least one of these strategies and demonstrate a clear connection to a region’s Growth & Diversification Plan. See the GO Virginia Program Manual for details.

• GO Virginia is not an economic development incentive program. Individual private businesses may not receive funding, nor can any project provide exclusive benefits to a single private business.

• GO Virginia funds must support new and expanded efforts — not ongoing operations. Funding cannot be used to continue, sustain, or supplement the operating costs of existing programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value and represent new activity that advances GO Virginia’s mission. Proposals must fill a documented gap, scale a proven model, or introduce a new approach that supports regional priorities.

Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) Competitive Grants

Competitive Grants are designed for projects that involve two or more GO Virginia regions (multi-regional) or go beyond what a single region’s annual allocation can support. They give regions the ability to collaborate or pursue initiatives that deliver substantial economic impact. To qualify, a project must present an extraordinary economic opportunity—one that is transformative in scale.

Competitive Grants allow regions to scale their ideas, tackle challenges that cross boundaries, and pursue transformative projects leverage regional strengths aiming to expand opportunities that benefit multiple localities and industries.

Application Types

Competitive Grants can support planning or implementation projects. The type of application depends on whether your project is multi-regional or single region. Competitive Grants include: Multi-Regional Planning Grants; Multi-Region Implementation Grants and Single Region Implementation Grants.

Multi-Regional Planning Grants

Multi-Regional Planning Grants give regions the chance to work together on big ideas before moving into implementation. These grants support the research, coordination, and strategy development needed when challenges or opportunities cross regional boundaries.

The goal is to help regions align priorities, engage key industry partners, and produce a clear roadmap that positions them for a future implementation project. By investing in planning first, regions reduce risk, build stronger partnerships, and ensure that later projects are grounded in real data and regional consensus.

Only planning projects that demonstrate a clear path toward a future multi-region implementation project of extraordinary economic opportunity will be considered for funding. In addition to the attached PDF document, see also the Planning Grant Administrative Guidance.

GO Virginia Program Overview

GO Virginia is a collaborative economic development initiative, that provides project-based incentives to encourage collaboration between private industry, higher education and local government in each region to produce results that will grow and diversify the regional economies and ultimately the commonwealth.

To achieve the program goals, the GO Virginia State Board has created nine regional councils. These councils are responsible for developing regional Growth and Diversification Plans and implementing those plans through the submission of project applications. Applications approved at the regional level are advanced to the GO Virginia State Board for funding.

The GO Virginia State Board has identified four primary investment strategies to achieve the program goals. The four priority investment strategies are:

• Workforce Development – building talent pipelines aligned with business needs that increases the pool of qualified workers
• Site Development and Infrastructure - preparing a regional portfolio of business-ready sites that attract private investment
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Startup Ecosystem) - creating a resource-rich environment for scalable start-ups and early-stage companies 
• Cluster Scale-Up -  helping existing regional industries grow and compete at a larger scale

All successful projects should align with at least one of these strategies and demonstrate a clear connection to a region’s Growth & Diversification Plan. See the GO Virginia Program Manual for details.

• GO Virginia is not an economic development incentive program. Individual private businesses may not receive funding, nor can any project provide exclusive benefits to a single private business.

• GO Virginia funds must support new and expanded efforts — not ongoing operations. Funding cannot be used to continue, sustain, or supplement the operating costs of existing programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value and represent new activity that advances GO Virginia’s mission. Proposals must fill a documented gap, scale a proven model, or introduce a new approach that supports regional priorities.

Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) Competitive Grants

Competitive Grants are designed for projects that involve two or more GO Virginia regions (multi-regional) or go beyond what a single region’s annual allocation can support. They give regions the ability to collaborate or pursue initiatives that deliver substantial economic impact. To qualify, a project must present an extraordinary economic opportunity—one that is transformative in scale.

Competitive Grants allow regions to scale their ideas, tackle challenges that cross boundaries, and pursue transformative projects leverage regional strengths aiming to expand opportunities that benefit multiple localities and industries.

Application Types

Competitive Grants can support planning or implementation projects. The type of application depends on whether your project is multi-regional or single region. Competitive Grants include: Multi-Regional Planning Grants; Multi-Region Implementation Grants; and Single Region Implementation Grants.

Multi-Region Implementation Grants

Multi-Region Implementation Grants are designed to turn collaborative plans into action. The goal is to deliver projects that create broad economic impact, strengthening targeted industry sectors, growing higher-paying jobs, and expanding opportunities across all participating regions. Because these projects represent a significant investment, applicants must demonstrate strong regional collaboration, clear economic outcomes, and a plan for sustaining results beyond the grant period.

Successful projects should create benefits that are shared across all participating localities, not concentrated in just one community. In other words, the project’s impact—such as new jobs, business growth, or expanded industry capacity—should be visible in each region that is part of the application.

GO Virginia Program Overview

GO Virginia is a collaborative economic development initiative, that provides project-based incentives to encourage collaboration between private industry, higher education and local government in each region to produce results that will grow and diversify the regional economies and ultimately the commonwealth.

To achieve the program goals, the GO Virginia State Board has created nine regional councils. These councils are responsible for developing regional Growth and Diversification Plans and implementing those plans through the submission of project applications. Applications approved at the regional level are advanced to the GO Virginia State Board for funding.

The GO Virginia State Board has identified four primary investment strategies to achieve the program goals. The four priority investment strategies are:

• Workforce Development – building talent pipelines aligned with business needs that increases the pool of qualified workers
• Site Development and Infrastructure - preparing a regional portfolio of business-ready sites that attract private investment
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Startup Ecosystem) - creating a resource-rich environment for scalable start-ups and early-stage companies 
• Cluster Scale-Up -  helping existing regional industries grow and compete at a larger scale

All successful projects should align with at least one of these strategies and demonstrate a clear connection to a region’s Growth & Diversification Plan. See the GO Virginia Program Manual for details.

• GO Virginia is not an economic development incentive program. Individual private businesses may not receive funding, nor can any project provide exclusive benefits to a single private business.

• GO Virginia funds must support new and expanded efforts — not ongoing operations. Funding cannot be used to continue, sustain, or supplement the operating costs of existing programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value and represent new activity that advances GO Virginia’s mission. Proposals must fill a documented gap, scale a proven model, or introduce a new approach that supports regional priorities.

Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) Competitive Grants

Competitive Grants are designed for projects that involve two or more GO Virginia regions (multi-regional) or go beyond what a single region’s annual allocation can support. They give regions the ability to collaborate or pursue initiatives that deliver substantial economic impact. To qualify, a project must present an extraordinary economic opportunity—one that is transformative in scale.

Competitive Grants allow regions to scale their ideas, tackle challenges that cross boundaries, and pursue transformative projects leverage regional strengths aiming to expand opportunities that benefit multiple localities and industries.

Application Types

Competitive Grants can support planning or implementation projects. The type of application depends on whether your project is multi-regional or single region. Competitive Grants include: Multi-Regional Planning Grants; Multi-Region Implementation Grants; and Single Region Implementation Grants.

Single Region Implementation Grants

Single-Region Implementation Grants are available for extraordinary opportunities within one region that cannot be fully supported by that region’s annual allocation. These projects are intended to address unique, high-impact needs where the scale of investment exceeds local resources but still delivers outcomes consistent with the goals of GO Virginia.

The expectation is that single-region projects will demonstrate the same level of rigor as multiregional efforts—clear economic impact, measurable outcomes, and long-term sustainability—while making the case for why Competitive Grant support is essential. In some cases, the request may use a mix of per-capita funds and Competitive Grant funds; in other cases, it may rely entirely on Competitive Grant funds.

GO Virginia Program Overview

GO Virginia is a collaborative economic development initiative, that provides project-based incentives to encourage collaboration between private industry, higher education and local government in each region to produce results that will grow and diversify the regional economies and ultimately the commonwealth.

To achieve the program goals, the GO Virginia State Board has created nine regional councils. These councils are responsible for developing regional Growth and Diversification Plans and implementing those plans through the submission of project applications. Applications approved at the regional level are advanced to the GO Virginia State Board for funding.

The GO Virginia State Board has identified four primary investment strategies to achieve the program goals. The four priority investment strategies are:

• Workforce Development – building talent pipelines aligned with business needs that increases the pool of qualified workers
• Site Development and Infrastructure - preparing a regional portfolio of business-ready sites that attract private investment
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation (Startup Ecosystem) - creating a resource-rich environment for scalable start-ups and early-stage companies 
• Cluster Scale-Up -  helping existing regional industries grow and compete at a larger scale

All successful projects should align with at least one of these strategies and demonstrate a clear connection to a region’s Growth & Diversification Plan. See the GO Virginia Program Manual for details.

• GO Virginia is not an economic development incentive program. Individual private businesses may not receive funding, nor can any project provide exclusive benefits to a single private business.

• GO Virginia funds must support new and expanded efforts — not ongoing operations. Funding cannot be used to continue, sustain, or supplement the operating costs of existing programs. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value and represent new activity that advances GO Virginia’s mission. Proposals must fill a documented gap, scale a proven model, or introduce a new approach that supports regional priorities.

Virginia Growth and Opportunity Fund (GO Virginia) Planning, Feasibility, and Small-Scale Pilot Gran

GO Virginia Planning, Feasibility, and Small-Scale Pilot grants are intended to build regional capacity for impactful, saleable projects.

Planning Grants help regions explore and refine ideas that have the potential to drive economic growth. They provide an opportunity to test concepts, formalize strong partnerships, conduct indepth research or feasibility studies, and develop actionable strategies. These grants can also support small-scale pilot initiatives that, if successful, can be scaled up through a GO Virginia Implementation Grant or another measurable investment opportunity.

The primary intent of Planning Grants is to prepare projects for future GO Virginia Implementation funding. In some cases, planning work may also strengthen a project’s ability to compete for other funding sources or, occasionally, determine that an initiative should not move forward. While those opportunities are valuable, applicants should design proposals with a clear line of sight to GO Virginia Implementation as the expected pathway.

Virginia Department of Fire Programs

Since 1969, Virginia has been at the forefront of firefighter training, starting with the Fire Services Training section within the State Department of Education.

Later becoming part of the Division of Fire Services Training under the State Fire Commission and eventually the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP).

• VDFP is headquartered in Glen Allen, VA and has seven geographical boundaries with a training division chief and State Fire Marshal’s Office staff.
• VDFP is part of ten agencies under the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
• VDFP administers an annual budget of $61 million and has over 90+ full–time staff, 17 part time staff and over 400 adjunct instructors who provide support and deliver our training programs through site-specific mobile training, at any of the regional training facilities or at locality training centers.

Conference & Education Assistance Grant

The Conference & Education Assistance Grant provides financial assistance for the professional development of Virginia’s fire and emergency services personnel.

• Administered by the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) and overseen by the Executive Director or their designee, the program aims to offer essential financial support for training conferences and seminars.

• These events, sponsored by Virginia-based non-profit organizations, enhance the education and skills of fire and emergency services personnel throughout the commonwealth.

• Grant funds shall be used for the purposes of providing training to volunteer or career firefighting personnel and funding fire prevention and public safety education courses.