Best Grants for New Nonprofits in Virginia

The FAA Aviation Research Grants Program invites applications for aviation research grants aimed at supporting innovative research for civil aviation growth. Eligible applicants, primarily colleges and non-profit institutions, can propose studies across various scientific disciplines. The program emphasizes advanced research in areas like air traffic control, communications, and human factors, promoting the development of technologies that enhance safety and efficiency in aviation and commercial space transportation.

The Tides Stronger Together Fund, under the Tides Foundation, provides essential support grants to fiscally sponsored partners focused on historically underserved communities. By building organizational capacity and leadership, the fund empowers community changemakers to address inequities and enhance sustainability. With a pooled funding model, it directly responds to the needs of over 120 partners, ensuring resources are effectively allocated where they are most impactful, ultimately fostering long-term community resilience.

The Community Needs Fund Grants, offered by the Southeast Virginia Community Foundation, support impactful projects that improve life quality in Southeast Virginia. Through two competitive cycles annually, grants prioritize innovative projects addressing pressing community needs, fostering wide participation, and demonstrating financial sustainability. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or governmental bodies serving the area. This initiative aims to strengthen the nonprofit sector and enhance community cooperation, ensuring substantial benefits for the costs involved.

The City of Virginia Beach offers Community Organization Grants to qualified non-profit organizations that provide services to local citizens. This program allows recipients to receive funding based on evaluations by the COG Review and Allocation Committee. Eligible applicants must be independent 501(c)(3) non-profits, while City departments are ineligible to apply. The program ensures transparency through required financial and service delivery reports from grant recipients.

The Miller Family Foundation Grant, established in 2014, focuses on philanthropic efforts that promote 'The Common Good.' This grant supports 501c3 organizations in good standing, particularly those with an annual budget under $500,000. Non-profits can apply for immediate financial assistance through the Angel Fund, with a maximum donation request capped at 10% of their annual budget. The Foundation aims to empower initiatives that foster community, national, and global betterment.

The Aviation Management Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, supports students enrolled in aviation programs at accredited colleges in the U.S. or Canada. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, financial need, and active community participation. Up to ten awards of $2,000 each will be given, with at least two designated for ethnic minority applicants. The scholarship aims to foster future leaders in the aviation industry.

The ACLS Project Grants for HBCU Faculty provide up to $10,000 to support early-stage project design and development over a 12- to 15-month period. This funding facilitates exploratory research and the advancement of existing projects, while offering networking and mentorship opportunities. Applicants must be employed at an HBCU and possess an MA or PhD in humanities or social sciences. The initiative encourages innovative research methods and community engagement, with a focus on higher education outcomes.

The AAAE Women in Aviation Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, provides seven awards of $5,000 each to support female students in aviation programs at accredited institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Eligibility requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 and involvement in community activities. Recipients are selected based on gender, academic achievement, financial need, and a personal statement. Awards are non-renewable and subject to change.

The AAAE Native American Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, supports Native American students pursuing aviation studies at accredited institutions. Eligible applicants must be college juniors, seniors, or graduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Selection is based on academic achievements, financial need, and community involvement. Two awards of $2,000 each are available, although amounts may vary. This non-renewable scholarship aims to foster future leaders in aviation.

The InterLinc Family Foundation Grant focuses on improving community quality of life through strategic investments. It supports 501(c)(3) non-profits with proven effectiveness and sound financial management. Grants aim to address specific community needs, avoiding service duplication. Eligible projects should align with the Foundation's interests and demonstrate broad financial support. Applications are accepted year-round, fostering impactful initiatives that resonate with the Foundation's mission of community enhancement.

The Simons Dissertation Fellowship in Mathematics, offered by the Simons Foundation, supports exceptional Ph.D. students in their final years of study. This fellowship, honoring co-founder Jim Simons, provides $19,200 annually for research support and departmental funds, commencing September 1, 2025. Eligible candidates must be full-time Ph.D. students in a U.S. mathematics department, entering their third year. The program emphasizes research quality, significance, and potential impact.

The MAA Tensor Grant Program, supported by the Tensor Foundation, aims to enrich mathematics education for underrepresented students. It encourages women and pre-college girls to pursue mathematics while also supporting historically underrepresented groups, including Black, Hispanic, and Native American students. Each project can receive up to $8,000 in funding, with a focus on clear plans to achieve the program's goals. This initiative fosters a diverse mathematics community and enhances student engagement.

The National Endowment for the Humanities offers the Collaborative Research grant, aiming to enhance humanistic knowledge through collaborative projects. This program supports groups of scholars in developing manuscripts, digital projects, or international collaborations. Projects should focus on significant research questions related to American history, culture, or Western civilization, fostering meaningful interpretive products that contribute to the field.

The Madison County Annual Grant supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on enhancing the community fabric of Madison County, Virginia. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000 for projects addressing local challenges or creating opportunities. Eligible organizations must have at least three years of operation and primarily serve the area. The foundation encourages collaborative proposals and provides unrestricted funding for ongoing or emergent needs, prioritizing nonprofits with proven management and accomplishments.

The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations that create positive change in communities. Focused on enhancing lives and providing opportunities for self-improvement, the foundation prioritizes requests from organizations in the Houston area and Texas. Eligible applicants may submit one request per year, ensuring a fair assessment process. Note that grants are not available to individuals, and lobbying efforts may adversely affect the consideration of applications.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is offering a rolling grant opportunity for schools to implement the PLTW Engineering program. Grants of up to $16,000 are available, with $12,800 allocated for the first year and $3,200 for the second. Schools must commit to offering PLTW Engineering courses for three academic years. Eligible schools include public, private, and charter institutions located in the U.S., U.S. territories, or DC. This initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities in engineering.

The Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to bolster engineering research capacity by supporting new academic investigators. This initiative is designed for those who have not yet received significant federal funding and are affiliated with institutions below the 'very high research activity' level. By fostering innovation and mentorship, the program seeks to broaden participation in engineering research across the nation.

The Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF) aim to support emerging leaders in mathematics and statistics. These fellowships enhance participants' research environments, ensuring significant scientific development. Awardees can choose between a Research Fellowship or a Research Instructorship, with funding available for research across various mathematical and statistical disciplines. Proposals are submitted directly to the NSF, and fellows must affiliate with eligible institutions or organizations.

The Computational Mathematics program supports research that integrates computation with mathematical analysis, encouraging innovative algorithm development and application. Proposals may range from individual projects to interdisciplinary teams, focusing on new computational techniques to address significant application challenges. The program also emphasizes training for junior mathematicians through hands-on research. Conference proposals must adhere to strict submission timelines to ensure review and funding opportunities, fostering collaboration within the mathematical sciences.

The PATH Make It Happen! Grants provide funding up to $25,000 to support innovative community projects in Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Culpeper counties. The grants aim to inspire engagement and creativity, addressing local challenges while aligning with the PATH Foundation's mission. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted, with a review process that takes about 30 days. Projects must be completed within six months, with final reports due shortly after.

The Bicycle Hotel Casino offers sponsorship and donation opportunities to support various worthy causes through a structured Board Review Committee. To qualify, organizations must submit a formal request at least 60 days before their event. This includes a Donation Request Form and a letter detailing the organization's purpose and alignment with the casino’s mission. The casino prioritizes requests from registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, ensuring that each project aligns with their philanthropic goals.

The W.A. Cooke Foundation Grant Fund aims to support local public projects in Louisa and Orange counties, enhancing community welfare through scholarships and grants. The foundation prioritizes projects involving governmental units or 501(c)(3) organizations, ensuring that they benefit residents and promote sustainable support. Past initiatives include the Earthquake Relief Fund and adult education programs. Funding is contingent on project alignment with community needs and the foundation's evolving priorities.

The PLTW Engineering grant, supported by the Arconic Foundation, aims to enhance STEM education by funding the implementation of PLTW Engineering courses in schools. This initiative prepares students for future careers by igniting their passion for engineering. Grants will cover startup costs for new programs or expansions of existing ones. Eligible schools must offer PLTW's Advanced Manufacturing course for the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring access to essential resources and training for educators.

The Louise R. Lester Foundation Grant aims to foster positive change in communities by supporting nonprofit organizations in Virginia. It prioritizes areas of need often overlooked by local charities, ensuring resources are allocated effectively. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations, demonstrating sound financial management. Ineligible entities include individuals and political organizations. The Foundation seeks to build strong relationships with grantees through communication and understanding of their challenges, focusing on impactful contributions to society.

The Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes, supported by the National Science Foundation, serve as critical national resources aimed at advancing research in mathematics and statistics. These institutes facilitate the discovery and dissemination of knowledge while enhancing connections with related fields. Their activities attract top mathematical minds to tackle pressing problems and engage a diverse array of U.S.-based researchers, ultimately bolstering the impact of mathematical sciences across various disciplines.

The Statistics Program, funded by the National Science Foundation, promotes research in statistical theory and methods applicable across various scientific and engineering domains. It supports projects ranging from individual investigators to interdisciplinary teams, fostering advancements in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The program emphasizes the importance of statistical methods in modeling uncertainty and enhancing scientific discovery. For more information, please visit the NSF's official website.

The ASMS Postdoctoral Career Development Awards provide five $5,000 grants annually to support the professional growth of postdoctoral fellows in mass spectrometry. Eligible applicants must be ASMS members and postdoctoral fellows within three years of their Ph.D. These awards can cover costs for conferences, workshops, travel to labs, or purchasing essential professional items, fostering career advancement in this specialized field.