Best Renewable Energy Grants in Virginia

Nonprofit, faith-based, Tribal organizations, and state service commissions in Virginia can apply for AmeriCorps operational funding to run member-based programs in areas including renewable and sustainable energy. Grants from Serve Virginia help eligible groups deploy AmeriCorps members in evidence-based interventions that strengthen communities across disaster services, environmental stewardship, education, health, economic opportunity, and support for veterans and military families.

Virginia organizations and businesses planning economic or community development projects on abandoned mine lands can seek funding to support energy and redevelopment efforts in Virginia. Virginia Department of Energy provides Virginia renewable and sustainable energy applicants with Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program support to repurpose former coal sites, following federal AMLER guidance and state terms and conditions.

Local governments and community-based nonprofit organizations in Virginia can apply for Virginia Department of Energy’s Community-Oriented Resilient Energy (CORE) subawards, offering US $50,000 - US $250,000 for energy resilience projects. Funding supports renewable and resilient solutions like solar plus storage, distributed energy resources, mobile resilience hubs, and backup generation to limit disruptive outages.

Organizations in Virginia, including small businesses, large corporations, and nonprofits, can apply for $100,000 - $2,000,000 from the Virginia Power Innovation Program to advance innovative energy technologies and projects. With a mission to lead a safe, reliable energy future, Virginia Department of Energy supports nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture, and energy storage initiatives that strengthen the Commonwealth’s energy supply chain and workforce.

Organizations, including small businesses, large corporations, and nonprofits in Virginia, can seek financing for clean power generation and energy infrastructure projects through the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank. With a mission to advance a safe, reliable, and increasingly clean energy future, Virginia Department of Energy provides loans and credit enhancements for projects like solar, microgrids, and battery storage.

Organizations in Virginia planning AmeriCorps programs around renewable or sustainable energy and environmental stewardship can seek planning support to design future service initiatives. Grants from Serve Virginia help nonprofits, faith-based, Tribal, and public entities develop evidence-informed AmeriCorps projects that build community resilience, with planning funds covering staff time and program design costs.

The CREST program by the NSF aims to bolster research capabilities at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) through education and research integration. It specifically supports STEM doctoral programs and encourages proposals in high-priority areas such as AI and climate change. By enhancing the institutional capacity, the program seeks to increase the number of underrepresented doctoral graduates in STEM fields, thereby fostering diversity and innovation in scientific research.

The Edison Scholars Program, sponsored by Edison International, offers $12,500 annually to thirty high school seniors pursuing degrees in STEM fields at accredited U.S. colleges. This renewable scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need and reside in Southern California Edison’s service territory. Scholars also gain access to a paid summer internship after their first year. Eligible majors include engineering, mathematics, and computer sciences, fostering the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Virginia renewable and sustainable energy researchers and fisheries-focused organizations can access funding through the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium for projects examining interactions between fisheries and offshore wind development in the U.S. Northeast. Awards up to US $400,000 support social, cultural, historical, and economic research, with teams including at least one co-PI from NY, CT, MA, NH, ME, or RI.

Graduate-level students and researchers in renewable or sustainable energy, climate, cybersecurity, or related emerging technologies who are Australian or American citizens or permanent residents can receive up to US $40,000 for study between Australia and the U.S. With a mission to foster advanced study, American Australian Association provides funding for tuition, travel, and living or research expenses; Virginia-based scholars may be eligible.

Tribal governments and tribal entities pursuing renewable energy projects can apply for GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund capacity-building grants, including projects benefiting Virginia communities, with awards up to US $100,000 for solar infrastructure and workforce development. Funding supports new solar installations, energy planning, training, and leadership programs that build long-term tribal energy sovereignty and resilience across the U.S.

Virginia graduate students researching drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can access funding through the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship. Offered by the American Water Works Association, this US $3,000 award supports research that delivers actionable, timely outcomes for current challenges in the water industry, including sustainable and renewable-related water practices.

Organizations commercializing ARPA-E–funded energy technologies that originated under a prior ARPA-E award and meet specific subject-invention and patent criteria can seek $5,000,000 - $20,000,000 to scale their innovations across the U.S., including Virginia. Grants from the U.S. Department of Energy help advance high-risk, potentially transformative renewable and efficient energy technologies toward market disruption.

Tribal governments and Tribal collaboratives pursuing offshore wind and other renewable energy capacity-building in Virginia and across the U.S. can access funding for planning, community engagement, workforce training, and environmental monitoring. United States Department of Energy’s Capacity Accelerator for Tribal Offshore Wind Engagement offers up to US $565,000 per team through a three-phase prize with cash awards and technical assistance.

Industrial and energy-technology organizations developing thermal or electric storage solutions for industrial facilities can access phased prize funding in the U.S. for design, prototyping, and validation. With a mission to advance industrial efficiency, the U.S. Department of Energy provides up to US $700,000 per winning team, which may benefit Virginia renewable and sustainable energy innovators.

Park Foundation provides Virginia 501(c)(3) organizations working on renewable and sustainable energy, clean drinking water, or green infrastructure with support for advocacy, organizing, policy development, and corporate responsibility efforts. Nonprofits addressing fossil fuel dependence or drinking water protection in Virginia, especially with New York or national connections, may be eligible to apply via a Letter of Inquiry.

Registered Canadian or U.S. charities and nonprofit organizations running programs in renewable and sustainable energy can apply for BMO Financial Group’s BMO Gives funding, including work in Virginia. Grants support initiatives that advance environmental conservation, sustainable energy solutions, and related community development; new applicants must first complete an eligibility assessment.

Nonprofits and public entities pursuing renewable and sustainable energy, public infrastructure, or community development projects in Virginia’s Appalachian counties and cities can seek US $100,000 - US $1,000,000 to support economic growth and quality of life. Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Appalachian Regional Commission funding may benefit renewable energy and related workforce or business development initiatives.

Nonprofit and community organizations working on renewable and sustainable energy, social justice, education, workforce development, or community health in the U.S., including Virginia, may be eligible for grants supporting local programs and initiatives. AES Hawaii Foundation prioritizes projects near its renewable energy sites that address unmet community needs and deliver measurable, long-term impact.

The Amazon Loudoun County Community Fund Grant, a $150,000 initiative by Amazon and the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier, aims to empower local nonprofits and organizations. This program supports transformative projects that enhance inclusion, resilience, and community well-being in Loudoun. Grants ranging from $500 to $10,000 will address critical areas such as health, food security, and homelessness, fostering a strong and connected community for residents.

About All Points North Foundation

All Points North Foundation is dedicated to navigating communities upward.

All Points North Foundation was founded in 2011 by a family who believes passionately that everyone has a “true North” – a place of achievement – and that everyone should have equal opportunity and access to realize their goals.

Our Vision

We envision a nation where the middle school years are seen as an important, vital time in the lives of youth, and where the public middle school education experience in underserved communities measurably improves

We also envision a nation where the integration of solar benefits families, local economies and the environment.

Our Priorities

All Points North Foundation funds grantees in two areas – public middle school education (grades 6-8) and solar – that have the power to help communities nationwide navigate upward.

Grant Making

All Points North Foundation seeks collaborative partnerships with grantees in our two priority areas.

Solar Energy

All Points North Foundation is focused on finding ways to significantly advance the penetration of solar through education, job training and use of solar electric technologies in the United States.

All Points North Foundation has three priority areas:

Providing solar and workforce development training for Tribal communities to expand and diversify the solar job pipeline.

Working with small- to medium-sized science centers to engage students, families and local communities on the benefits and science behind solar.

Providing solar installations to nonprofit organizations that build high-quality, safe and affordable residential housing, offsetting energy costs and enabling cost savings for households.

The cost of solar has dropped dramatically over the last decade, however the upfront cost of going solar remains a hurdle for most families, communities and nonprofits.

All Points North Foundation does consider funding solar projects outside of these focal areas, but the programs must demonstrate how solar will have a broader impact on local communities (e.g., economic, social or environmental), as well as showcase the potential for replication across the nation.

About Virginia Energy

Virginia Energy is the state agency charged with advancing Virginia's energy, mining, and mineral policies and initiatives. Our mission is to lead the Commonwealth to a safe, reliable and responsible energy future by:

• Providing for safe and environmentally sound stewardship of Virginia's mineral and energy resources;
• Encouraging economic development through the sound stewardship of Virginia's energy, mineral, land and water resources; and
• Successfully pursuing federal funding and implement the Virginia Energy Plan to ensure the Commonwealth has abundant, reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy.

Southwest Virginia Hydrogen Hub

The Virginia Department of Energy is launching a program to encourage hydrogen production in the Southwest Virginia (SWVA) region and its use across the Commonwealth. The primary objective of this initiative is to tackle energy issues critical to hydrogen energy while promoting economic development in SWVA.

The program invites proposals from entities operating in the Southwest region of the Commonwealth.

Program Overview

Virginia Energy invites proposals for establishing planning grants of $250,000 each to support the potential for the development of the hydrogen production industry in the Southwestern Virginia region. The effects of the downturn of the coal industry have severely impacted the low-income and disadvantaged communities of the coalfields. Southwest Virginia is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this opportunity. The repurposing of previously mined land and development of energy-ready industrial sites with access to abundant water, natural gas, and on-site rail are ideal for creating a hydrogen production hub in the region.

This program represents a significant step toward a cleaner and more sustainable future for the citizens of the commonwealth, particularly those that have been historically underserved. 

The Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program, administered by the USDA's NIFA, aims to enhance the capabilities of eligible institutions in agriculture and related fields. By providing financial support, the program encourages institutions to compete for federal funding, disseminate vital information, and foster community engagement in educational and research initiatives. This initiative is crucial for developing infrastructure, promoting faculty development, and establishing graduate assistantships to address national and regional agricultural priorities.

The Clif Family Foundation Open Call invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants supporting general operating costs or specific projects. With a focus on regenerative farming, food worker health, climate justice, and food access, the foundation aims to empower grassroots initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications reviewed twice a year. Deadlines are March 1 and August 1, and announcements occur about four months post-deadline.

The Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund provides grants to support communities in the U.S. and Canada where the company operates. Focused on affordable housing, education, environmental stewardship, and more, the fund emphasizes projects that meet local needs and demonstrate community support. Eligible organizations include nonprofits and educational institutions. Applications are accepted year-round with a deadline for 2025 on September 30. National initiatives related to working forests are funded by invitation only.

The Waste Management Charitable Contributions Program supports initiatives that enhance environmental stewardship, sustainability education, and community vitality. With a commitment to civic pride and economic development, the program prioritizes organizations that address local needs and promote sustainable practices. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations that focus on public purposes, while ineligible requests include funding for operating costs and individual fundraising events. This initiative fosters a collaborative approach to community betterment.

The Roger Arliner Young (RAY) Fellowship Program, managed by the Environmental Leadership Program, aims to foster conservation and clean energy careers for emerging leaders of color. This two-year paid fellowship provides recent graduates with professional development, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Ideal candidates are those with a passion for social and environmental justice, who identify as part of historically marginalized groups, and are committed to community engagement. The program emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the environmental sector.