Best Grants for Environmental Justice in Virginia

Grassroots, community-led 501(c)(3) organizations in Central Appalachian Virginia and neighboring states can receive technical assistance funding to build capacity for social, economic, racial, and environmental justice work. Appalachian Community Fund supports training in leadership, fundraising, planning, financial management, legal issues, and community organizing that strengthens long-term environmental justice and broader social change efforts.

Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting children, education, or health and human services can access funding through Costco Foundation for monetary program support in communities where Costco operates. Organizations working on environmental justice alongside these priorities may be eligible if they meet the focus and outcome, collaboration, and budget criteria reviewed within 4–6 weeks.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting youth health, education, development, or welfare can apply for up to US $15,000 to run child-focused and environmental responsibility programs, including in Virginia. With a mission to enrich children’s lives, Dan Paul Foundation provides funding for initiatives like early childhood development, child advocacy, homelessness, poverty, and clean air and water education, which may benefit environmental justice efforts.

Early-stage, impact-first nonprofits and mission-driven for-profits tackling major social or environmental challenges in Virginia can access funding via Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, which supports scalable solutions for underserved communities. Eligible organizations are post-pilot, under 10 years old, and aiming to reach at least 10,000 people; awards up to US $300,000 over three years include intensive capacity-building support.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations focused on environmental justice, environmental education, or food and farm initiatives can apply for grants up to Up to US $35,000 to foster just and sustainable communities, including in Virginia. Grants from Harris and Frances Block Foundation help small grassroots groups advance environmental justice and food justice through community-based programs.

Arts and culture nonprofits in Virginia can seek funding for impactful cultural programs, capital projects, or limited general support that engage broad audiences. Grants from William Randolph Hearst Foundation help U.S. organizations with budgets over $2 million, especially museums, performing arts institutions, and STEAM-focused programs that demonstrate strong, sustainable results.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

Virginia LGBTQ and social justice nonprofits can access funding through Appalachian Community Fund to build capacity, strengthen organizing, and support organizational development in Central Appalachian communities. 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups working on systemic change, especially new or youth-focused LGBTQ efforts, may be eligible for up to US $2,000 to advance community-led justice initiatives.

Environmental and community-focused charities in Virginia can seek philanthropic support for humanitarian, science education, community development, and contemporary arts projects. Grants from La Roche help accredited charities worldwide deliver sustainable development initiatives, disaster response, youth STEM education, and cultural programming, which may include work benefiting communities facing environmental burdens and inequities.

Nonprofit and humanitarian organizations supporting health, education, or disaster relief for marginalized communities in Virginia and worldwide can apply for grants from the Semnani Family Foundation. With a mission to uplift vulnerable populations, Semnani Family Foundation provides funding that may benefit environmental justice efforts intersecting with health access, social services, or community resilience work.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

Rural, grassroots community groups in Virginia working on social, economic, environmental justice, education reform, immigration rights, or voter engagement can access funding through the Southern Partners Fund’s Discretionary Fund, with awards up to US $3,500. Grants may support community organizing, capacity-building technical assistance, or travel for conferences and civic engagement activities.

Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on community development, housing, jobs, hunger, or related environmental and cultural initiatives can seek sponsorship support to advance economic mobility and social progress. Bank of America Charitable Foundation provides U.S. regional sponsorships that may benefit environmental justice and advocacy efforts connected to preserving neighborhoods, the environment, and diversity and inclusion.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation for environmental, economic, racial, or social justice in Virginia and nationwide can receive US $10,000 - US $50,000 in recoverable funding for case expenses. The Impact Fund provides support for out-of-pocket litigation costs like experts and discovery in class actions and other systemic cases.

Virginia nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities near a Georgia-Pacific manufacturing community can seek funding for education, entrepreneurship, environmental, and community enrichment initiatives. Virginia community organizations working on environmental justice or advocacy may be eligible if their projects align with Georgia-Pacific Foundation’s focus areas and serve communities within 30 miles of a GP facility.

IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charities serving residents of Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, or Falls Church in Virginia can apply for Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation grants of US $10,000 - US $250,000 to support community services, education, health, arts, and environmental programs. Virginia organizations advancing environmental justice and advocacy within these localities may be eligible.

Nonprofit organizations in Virginia seeking US $1,000 - US $20,000 for environmental or community programs may be eligible for support from the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation. The foundation funds environmental and wildlife protection activities, as well as museums, education, health facilities, and community-based services that can benefit local environmental justice efforts.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving economic stability, health, workforce readiness, or disaster relief can access funding through O'Reilly Automotive Foundation for project, general operating, or capital support. U.S.-based community organizations serving underserved people, including those integrating environmental justice with poverty, health, or housing issues, may be eligible if they operate where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a presence and meet non-discrimination requirements.

Nonprofit and mission-driven for-profit organizations with early-stage projects in environment, heritage conservation, or social justice can receive up to US $175,000 in flexible, three-year support. Focused on catalytic, high-impact ideas, the J.M. Kaplan Fund invites innovators nationwide, including Virginia-based environmental justice efforts, to propose game-changing pilots or prototypes addressing clearly defined needs.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Rural, community-based 501(c)(3) organizations using grassroots organizing in Virginia and other Southeastern states can seek general or project support through the Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle. Focused on social, economic, and environmental justice, Southern Partners Fund backs efforts that build local leadership and power, which may include environmental justice and advocacy work.

Non-sectarian nonprofits helping disadvantaged people become self-reliant can apply for US $5,000 - US $250,000 to support social and human services, poverty alleviation, disability services, or disaster relief, including work in Virginia. With a mission to expand opportunity, Gupta Family Foundation provides smaller organizations with annual or multi-year support that may benefit environmental justice efforts.

Water quality monitoring groups and individuals in Virginia can receive up to US $11,000 to support citizen water monitoring, including equipment, volunteer training, lab analysis, and outreach. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality supports water resource management and citizen science projects that generate usable data, educate communities, and can benefit environmental justice efforts.