Best Grants for the Arts in Virginia

The JFNY Grant for Arts & Cultural Exchange supports U.S. non-profit organizations aiming to enhance understanding of Japanese arts and culture. Eligible projects include performances, workshops, and exhibitions, with priority given to those with additional funding and in areas with limited access to cultural events. Applications must be submitted at least one month prior for online projects and three months for others. The grant covers expenses like travel, publicity, and artist fees, and is reimbursed upon project completion.

The Moses D. Nunnally, Jr. Charitable Trust B Grant supports charitable activities in the Greater Richmond, Virginia area, established in 1984 by Moses D. Nunnally, Jr. It focuses on arts, education, health, human services, and religion, primarily aiding local organizations. Grants range from $5,000 to $75,000, with priority given to healthcare and educational initiatives. Applications are accepted year-round but must meet specific eligibility criteria, including 501(c)(3) status.

The Creative Community Partnership Grants aim to bolster local and tribal governments' support for the arts in Virginia. Grants of up to $4,500 are available to fund independent arts organizations, focusing on community impact and underserved populations. Eligibility includes independent city, town, county, or tribal governments, while funds cannot be used for performer payments. This initiative fosters a vibrant arts culture by encouraging local investment in creative projects.

The Virginia Special Events and Festivals Grant Program, offered by the Virginia Tourism Corporation, supports marketing and production for established events with significant local economic impact. Eligible events must have a minimum attendance of 500 and two years of prior attendance since 2022. Awards range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on attendance tiers. Preference is given to events with substantial local cash or in-kind match, fostering community engagement and tourism growth.

The Peoples Bank Foundation Grant aims to create a significant impact in local communities by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations. With over 20 years of service, the foundation has awarded more than $7.5 million in grants and scholarships across several states. It prioritizes initiatives that assist low to moderate-income individuals and families, encouraging organizations within its footprint to apply for funding to enhance their community-focused programs.

The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation supports tax-exempt organizations under IRS Section 501(c)(3) in four key areas: human needs, environmental stewardship, education, and community vitality. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $15,000, with two application cycles each year. Notably, funding is unavailable for organizations without 501(c)(3) status or those located outside Dominion's service areas. This foundation aims to enhance community welfare through targeted support for impactful programs.

The George J. & Effie L. Seay Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Virginia, focusing on arts, culture, education, and human services. Established in 1957, the foundation promotes various charitable programs and prefers funding specific projects over general operating grants. Grants are typically one year in duration, and organizations may not apply for another grant until three years after receiving funding. The foundation encourages collaboration with other funding sources to maximize support.

The Allan and Margot Blank Foundation Grant supports musical and artistic organizations, focusing on chamber groups, choral groups, and soloists performing contemporary music, particularly in the Richmond, Virginia area. The foundation provides funding for music rental, recording support, and administrative expenses, with average grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and located in Virginia. Applications are accepted year-round for funding consideration.

The Camp-Younts Foundation Grant, established in 1955, focuses on supporting organizations that assist poor and needy individuals in Virginia and Metro Atlanta, Georgia. Preference is given to religious, educational, cultural, and civic organizations with outreach programs. The foundation only considers operating and non-capital grants, with average sizes ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations based in Metro Atlanta.

The Investing in Artists: Tools & Equipment Grant, offered by the Center for Cultural Innovation, provides funding between $1,000 and $5,000 for individual craft artists in the U.S. to purchase essential tools and equipment. This program aims to enhance the creative support system, enabling artists to produce object-based work and meet safety standards. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to their craft and have presented public artistic work within the last three years.

The Marietta McNeill Morgan & Samuel Tate Morgan, Jr. Trust, established in 1962, aims to enhance educational and human services in Virginia. It focuses on specific capital expenditures rather than general campaigns. The Trust encourages matching and challenge grants while excluding requests for debt reduction, scholarships, and funds for media production. Grants are not available to individuals or government agencies primarily funded by tax revenue, ensuring that resources are directed to impactful community projects.

About

Established in 1968, the VCA is the state agency dedicated to investing in the arts of Virginia. Through allocations made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts and the General Assembly, the VCA utilizes investments to empower arts leaders, arts educators, and arts practitioners. In doing so, we create a virtuous cycle of those who not just participate in and appreciate the arts, as stated in our enabling legislation, but those who serve as change agents and advance the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Mission Statement

To invest in the arts in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Capacity Building Grants

Purpose

Capacity Building Grants help Virginia arts organizations enhance artistic quality, strengthen community engagement, and improve management capabilities by providing access to external expertise.

Description

Capacity Building Grants provide targeted assistance for Virginia arts organizations seeking to strengthen their internal operations and sustainability. These grants help organizations access specialized expertise or training that supports strategic growth, improved management, and long-term effectiveness.

About

Established in 1968, the VCA is the state agency dedicated to investing in the arts of Virginia. Through allocations made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts and the General Assembly, the VCA utilizes investments to empower arts leaders, arts educators, and arts practitioners. In doing so, we create a virtuous cycle of those who not just participate in and appreciate the arts, as stated in our enabling legislation, but those who serve as change agents and advance the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Lifelong Learning Grants

To facilitate and support arts learning for students, educators, youth, and adult citizens, reaching those who are underserved, under-resourced, and under-represented, by providing opportunities to work with highly qualified professional teaching artists in traditional and non-traditional learning environments.

Description

Lifelong Learning Grants fund sequential hands-on learning programs and experiences designed to encourage artistic skills, processes, and creativity. Artistic and/or cultural discipline(s) may include, but are not limited to dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theatre, traditional and folk arts, and visual arts. Arts learning programs include specific objectives, outcomes and methods of evaluation that are well defined and relevant to the learners involved.

The Shelton Hardaway Short, Jr. Trust Grant, established in 1974, supports charitable organizations primarily in Central and Southern Virginia. Grants, typically between $10,000 and $50,000, are given as memorials to Mr. Short's family members. The foundation prioritizes various program areas including arts, education, health, and human services, and aims to enhance the community's welfare. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities, with no geographic limitations, although local organizations are favored.

The Semi-Annual Competitive Grant from the Robert G III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation supports capital projects for tax-exempt organizations in Virginia. Established in 1957, the foundation emphasizes strategic grants that inspire community engagement and leverage donor generosity. Eligible nonprofits, particularly in the Richmond area, can apply for matching funds to enhance cultural arts, education, and social services. The foundation's goal is to address philanthropic needs while fostering long-term community development.

The Elevance Health Foundation's Behavioral Health Grant aims to address significant challenges in mental health and substance use disorders. With a commitment of up to $90 million over three years, the Foundation seeks partnerships with nonprofits to enhance treatment access, promote prevention strategies, and alleviate loneliness among affected individuals. This initiative emphasizes innovative solutions and measurable outcomes, targeting both national and local programs, particularly in states with pressing health disparities.

Our Mission

The Baughman Family Foundation aims to make an impact on our local communities by supporting organizations nominated by family members. The goal of the foundation is twofold: to make a meaningful impact on our selected charitable organizations and to encourage family members to become active in charitable giving.

Submission Guidelines

When submitting an application, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

The focus of the Baughman Family Foundation is on supporting local charities where the Foundation can make a direct, tangible impact on causes that matter to our family.

The ACTA Apprenticeship Program has been supporting California's cultural traditions for nearly 25 years by providing $5,000 contracts to mentor artists for intensive training of eligible apprentices. This program fosters the continuity of traditional arts through one-on-one mentorship, culminating in public presentations and documentation of the learning process. Eligible applicants must submit a collaborative application, demonstrating commitment and quality in their respective art forms. This initiative not only preserves cultural practices but also enhances community engagement.

The Loeb Foundation Grant supports 501(c)3 organizations in Fauquier County, VA, focusing on community service initiatives. Eligible organizations include those promoting public health, education, arts, and child welfare. The Foundation prioritizes funding for tangible projects, such as construction and equipment purchases, to enhance the community's well-being. Interested organizations should demonstrate a proven track record of service and align with the Foundation's mission to address local needs effectively.

The Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation, established in 2022, is dedicated to enhancing lives in rural Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado through grants exceeding $10,000. It supports nonprofits and government entities focused on food, shelter, healthcare, education, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes local initiatives that enrich communities and improve access to essential services, while maintaining a commitment to assisting veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities.

The 2025 Vilcek Foundation Grants aim to support nonprofit organizations that celebrate immigrant contributions to the arts and sciences. The foundation invites applications from organizations operating under U.S. IRS Section 501(c)(3) that promote diversity and inclusivity. Grants will be prioritized for new partners and those in states without prior funding. This initiative underscores the foundation's commitment to fostering appreciation for immigrant communities and their impact on society.

The Impact100 Global Veterans Awards empower women to make a significant difference by awarding grants up to $100,000 to nonprofits that serve veterans. Focus areas include art and culture, education, health and wellness, environment, and family initiatives, promoting the well-being and support of veterans across the United States. Eligible organizations must meet specific criteria, including tax-exempt status, and are encouraged to submit proposals that utilize funds effectively within two years.

Impact 100 Greater Peninsula is dedicated to empowering women to collectively improve their community through charitable giving. This initiative focuses on transformative grants that address the needs of underserved populations in the Greater Peninsula region. By fostering collaboration among nonprofits, it aims to enhance arts, education, health, and wellness, thereby creating measurable impacts. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a minimum budget of $250,000 and a proven track record of at least 36 months.

The Impact100 DC Grant Program empowers women to support nonprofit organizations tackling systemic inequities in the Washington, DC area. As a volunteer collective, we have awarded over $550,000 since 2021, prioritizing projects in arts, education, health, and community welfare. We require a clear budget plan for the full $100,000 award and prioritize proposals from organizations that serve historically marginalized communities. Our goal is to foster sustainable change and promote equity across diverse demographics.

The Bowman-Shannon Cultural Arts Fund, managed by the Shenandoah Community Foundation, aims to promote cultural arts in Shenandoah County, Virginia. This fund supports various artistic expressions, including visual arts, music, dance, and writing, encouraging participation from all nonprofit organizations, not just those focused on arts. It empowers individuals and groups to explore their creativity through diverse mediums, enriching the community's cultural landscape.

The GLCF Century Fund offers $100,000 annually to tax-exempt charitable organizations in Lynchburg and surrounding counties. This grant supports transformational projects that significantly improve nonprofit operations and community services. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate a commitment to innovative change. The fund aims to enhance various project categories, including arts, education, and environmental initiatives. Organizations can apply every five years, ensuring a continuous opportunity for impactful funding.

The Call for Kindness Grant, offered by Riley's Way Foundation, empowers young leaders aged 13-23 to launch impactful social projects focused on kindness and community connection. With grants up to $5,000, recipients receive essential mentorship, coaching, and community support. This initiative has already benefited over 3,500 youth nationwide, promoting values of empathy and social change. Applicants can pursue projects in diverse areas, including environmental justice, ensuring a broad impact in their communities.