Best Grants for Charities in Virginia

The Jill B. Whiting Scholarship, established by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, supports graduating seniors from Central Dauphin High School and Central Dauphin East High School pursuing music or music education studies. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate community service and leadership, and show financial need. This scholarship honors Jill B. Whiting's legacy as a dedicated music volunteer and aims to foster artistic talent in the local community.

The Leader Scholarship Fund, established by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, supports students in HACC's LPN program from Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, or York counties. It honors Governor George Leader, a champion for education and disabilities, and emphasizes financial need and a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative aims to empower future healthcare professionals while fostering community growth and equity in Pennsylvania.

The Bank of America Lori Ann Robinson Scholarship, established in 1997 by the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, honors the memory of Lori Ann Robinson. This scholarship supports students from Richmond-area high schools seeking to major in accounting, finance, economics, or business administration at accredited colleges. Recipients can receive funding for up to five years, provided they maintain good academic standing, thereby fostering educational opportunities and community development.

The Anne Micou Delhagen Scholarship, established in 2000 by the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, honors a dedicated teacher and supports post-secondary education for graduates of Thomas Dale High School and Carver College and Career Academy in Chesterfield County, Virginia. This scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate resilience and the ability to harness their hidden potential, empowering them to pursue higher education in accredited institutions across the United States.

The Anne B. Taliaferro Scholarship, established by a former Henrico County educator, supports graduating high school seniors from First Baptist Church in Richmond or those from the Richmond area attending Averett University. The scholarship aims to assist students who demonstrate academic commitment and community involvement, facilitating their pursuit of higher education. This fund exemplifies the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond's dedication to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering local talent.

The Alicia B. Meyer Education Scholarship, established by Alicia B. Meyer in 2022, supports graduates of Richmond City Public Schools and Cristo Rey Richmond. This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance for students attending accredited two or four-year colleges in the U.S. Eligible applicants must demonstrate community service, financial need, and a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative reflects the foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and promoting academic success within the Richmond community.

The Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer Scholarship, established in 2005 by the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Petersburg, Virginia, supports graduating seniors who are communing members of the Church and plan to pursue higher education. In 2024, eligibility expanded to include students from nearby Lutheran churches. This scholarship aims to encourage academic achievement and commitment to worship among local youth, fostering community engagement and educational advancement.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Expanding Youth Access to Community-Based Treatment program aims to enhance support for youth facing substance use and mental health challenges. This funding opportunity focuses on community-based treatment initiatives that cater to youths with substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring mental health conditions. By fostering cross-system strategies, the program seeks to improve outcomes for at-risk youth and reduce recidivism through better access to necessary treatment services.

The Amanda Lynn Seeley Memorial Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, honors a remarkable young woman by providing educational support to graduating seniors from select Virginia counties. This scholarship aims to recognize students who excel in academics and demonstrate strong character, leadership, and community involvement. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 and plan to enroll in an accredited four-year college, ensuring that deserving students continue their educational journeys.

The Alice Haynie Dameron Scholarship, established in 2004, supports high school graduates from Northumberland County, Virginia, with financial need. Preference is given to students affiliated with specific churches in the area. This scholarship aims to foster academic achievement and community service, helping students pursue higher education at accredited institutions. Funded by The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, it reflects a commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and empowering local youth.

The Book Buddies Program, initiated by The Molina Foundation, aims to combat the lack of access to books in low-income communities. By distributing new, free books to eligible schools and agencies, the program fosters literacy and learning among children. With over 4 million books distributed, it helps create word-rich environments essential for educational success. This initiative supports families in building home libraries and enhances learning spaces, ensuring children have the resources they need to thrive.

This RFP invites proposals that explore the role of maintenance therapy in HER2+ metastatic breast cancer. It aims to enhance understanding of treatment optimization, emphasizing patient quality of life and individualized treatment strategies. Eligible applicants include organizations from the U.S. and select European countries. The focus is on educational projects that improve awareness among healthcare professionals, with a range of formats accepted, including live sessions and online content. Clinical research projects are excluded.

The OJJDP FY 2026 Family Treatment Court Program aims to support state and local courts, as well as Tribal governments, in establishing or enhancing family treatment courts. These courts are designed to provide substance use treatment and other supportive services for parents involved with the child welfare system due to issues like child abuse or neglect. By focusing on intensive judicial monitoring and interventions, the program seeks to improve outcomes for children, parents, and families affected by substance use disorders.

The Thomas J. Sweeney Scholarship, established by the East Bay Community Foundation, honors labor leader Tom Sweeney. It awards $2,000 to graduating high school students accepted into college or university, and $1,000 to post-secondary students in undergraduate or graduate programs. Eligibility requires students to be members or dependents of IBEW Local 595 and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This scholarship supports educational expenses, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to fostering academic success in the community.

Our Story

Established over 50 years ago, our founders redefined local philanthropy, fostering connections around a shared sense of place and purpose. As Virginia's largest community foundation, we bring people together to pool resources, co-create solutions and align actions for impactful change in the Richmond region.

Scholarships are offered to students living in the Richmond region and other Virginia locations. Each scholarship was established by a generous individual, family, or organization with a desire to assist high school students, recent high school graduates, and adult learners to continue their education. 

Claude V. Simmons Scholarship

The Claude V. Simmons Scholarship Fund was established to support post-secondary educational opportunities for qualifying members of the Church of Francis de Sales in Mathews County, Virginia.

Awards

• $6,600

Who We Are

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois will make a sustainable philanthropic impact in our community through visible leadership in connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Jean M. Brown Nursing Scholarship Fund 

Jean M. Brown graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing in 1938. She went on to become Caterpillar’s first Industrial Nurse, a role she deeply valued. Inspired by her career, she wanted to help others pursue nursing as well.

Through her will, Ms. Brown established an endowed scholarship to support nursing students with financial need, with preference given to those pursuing a career in Occupational Nursing. The scholarship fund was created following her passing in October 2000.

The Quinn William Gorman Scholarship, established by family and friends of Quinn Gorman, supports Loudoun County students pursuing higher education, particularly from Riverside High School. This scholarship prioritizes applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.4, demonstrating financial need and community involvement through events or sports. The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties facilitates this scholarship, ensuring local students can thrive in their educational pursuits and contribute positively to the community.

Presser Foundation

Passionate about music, Theodore Presser wanted to give back to it. When he died in 1925, he had been widowed twice without any children. The bulk of his fortune was left to The Presser Foundation, which was formally established 14 years after his death. From 1995 to June 2021, The Presser Foundation gave more than $80 million to music organizations, undergraduate and graduate music students, and retired music teachers.

Originally, the Foundation sought to promote the causes of musical education and musical philanthropy by providing scholarships for promising students, supporting the construction of buildings for music organizations, and directing aid to retired music teachers. Over time, the Foundation has evolved to support a broad array of music genres, expand its grantmaking areas, convene its nonprofit partners at special events, and collaborate with fellow funders, while continuing to follow the original intent and wishes of Theodore Presser.

Assistance to Music Teachers

Theodore Presser, mindful of his own early struggles in the profession, was committed to the support of music teachers. He also felt a sense of gratitude for the thousands of teachers who were the primary customers of his music publication business. In 1906, he established the Presser Home for Retired Music Teachers in Philadelphia. When it was no longer practical to maintain an independent facility, the Foundation created the Assistance to Music Teachers Committee to carry on its basic mission of financial support for retired teachers with financial need.

Typically, the Foundation provides modest financial assistance and/or help with the cost of medical insurance. Awards are made to individuals living in the United States whose primary occupation was as a teacher of music. To be considered for Assistance, applicants must be nominated by a music institution for consideration. 

The Bob and Cheri Suttner Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, supports residents from local school districts pursuing an electrical trade education. Established to promote careers in power line technology, this scholarship emphasizes the importance of skilled trades and aims to provide financial assistance for students attending technical colleges. It honors the legacy of Bob and Cheri Suttner, who dedicated their lives to the community and the electric utility profession.

The Holliday Family Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, aims to support graduates of Richmond Public Schools and Cristo Rey Richmond High School who exhibit academic promise and financial need. Eligible students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 and be planning to enroll in a college or university. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering educational opportunities for local youth, ensuring they have the resources needed to pursue higher education.

The Hill Family Scholarship, established by The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, supports post-secondary education for high school graduates in the Richmond area diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. Eligible students can receive funds for educational expenses while attending accredited colleges or universities in the U.S. This initiative aims to enhance access to educational opportunities and promote academic success for deserving students within the community.

The Harrison-Labouisse-Mayo Memorial Scholarship, established by Ms. Sally Harrison in 2002, provides support to students in Richmond who have faced catastrophic circumstances affecting their education. Sponsored by The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, this scholarship aims to assist high school graduates committed to academics and community involvement, who plan to enroll in accredited post-secondary institutions. It fosters resilience and hope for students striving for academic success despite challenges.

The Botany in Action Fellowship Program at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is designed for PhD students in plant-based research. It provides $6,000 for research and outreach expenses, an all-expenses paid trip for science outreach training, and opportunities to connect with the public through various outreach initiatives. This program nurtures the next generation of plant scientists committed to impactful research and educational outreach, fostering a deeper understanding of plant science.

The Cybersecurity Traineeship, in collaboration with Northern Virginia Community College, aims to equip participants with essential cybersecurity skills. This program targets individuals with no prior experience, guiding them towards entry-level roles in the cybersecurity field. Participants engage in a 7-week online bootcamp, potentially followed by 12 weeks of paid on-the-job training. Trainees receive financial support totaling $19,200, ensuring a comprehensive training experience while enhancing the cybersecurity workforce in Virginia.

The Mary Ellen Kowalski Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Mary Ellen, a dedicated educator and community member. Established by her husband in 2025, this scholarship aims to support graduating high school seniors from Marathon County pursuing post-secondary education. Applicants are evaluated on their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal challenges, ensuring that deserving students receive the financial assistance needed to succeed in their educational endeavors.

The Granger Ancarrow Scholarship offers financial support to graduating seniors from public high schools in metropolitan Richmond and the Tri-Cities area, encouraging academic excellence and community involvement. Established by The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond in 2000, this scholarship aims to assist students who demonstrate strong academic performance, financial need, and participation in track and field activities. Recipients are expected to enroll in accredited four-year colleges or universities, fostering future leaders in their communities.

The Donald W. Colbert Scholarship, established by S&K Famous Brands in 2006, awards educational scholarships to graduating seniors from Richmond City Public Schools. Candidates must demonstrate academic promise, community service, and financial need, with preference given to those interested in retail careers or whose parents work in the retail industry. This initiative supports students pursuing further education at accredited institutions, fostering opportunities for future leaders in the Richmond community.