Best Sustainability Grants in Virginia

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and qualifying public entities in Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands can seek project support from the Alleghany Foundation for economic transformation, education, health, and community capacity initiatives. Focused on regional revitalization, it may benefit sustainability-related efforts that improve quality of life and strengthen local institutions.

Eligible 501(c)(3) charities, public entities, and qualifying colleges in Virginia can apply for American Electric Power Foundation support to advance STEM education, basic human needs, social justice, and environmental conservation. Organizations in AEP’s service territory may be invited by a local AEP operating company to submit an online application for sustainability-related initiatives.

State and local agencies, local governing boards, nonprofits, tribes, and higher education institutions in Virginia’s eligible Appalachian counties can seek funding for critical infrastructure and workforce or business development projects. With a mission to strengthen Appalachian communities, Appalachian Regional Commission provides Virginia sustainability efforts with support for utilities, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, and job training initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Hampton Roads communities in Virginia and nearby North Carolina can receive up to US $25,000 for small, time-limited projects that address wholesome nourishment, safe shelter, educational and economic opportunity, or a healthy environment. Focused on community wellbeing, The Blocker Foundation invites applicants working on sustainability-related needs for disadvantaged populations to seek rapid, discretionary support.

Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving educational outcomes for children and youth can apply for Comis Foundation grants, with awards of US $5,000 - US $75,000 for programs, policy work, and organizational capacity. Organizations with sustainability-related youth or community initiatives may be eligible, including those with broader national reach that serve Virginia communities.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations working on environmental education, environmental justice, or food and farm initiatives may be eligible for up to US $35,000 to support just and sustainable communities in Virginia and other focus areas. Grants from Harris and Frances Block Foundation help small, grassroots groups advance sustainability, food justice, farmworker rights, and related community programs.

Virginia environmental and community organizations focused on environmental stewardship or values-based leadership can seek project support that benefits local communities over the long term. Virginia sustainability groups can access funding through Luck Companies Foundation, which prioritizes initiatives in its operating counties that demonstrate lasting, positive impact and strong community partnerships.

The Obici Healthcare Foundation offers Community Engagement Grants to support nonprofit initiatives that enhance the health of local residents. These one-time grants, ranging from $500 to $5000, are intended for programs that address community health needs, promote wellness, and improve health awareness. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the Foundation prioritizes collaborative projects that innovate and sustain long-term health improvements in Virginia and North Carolina.

For-profit and nonprofit organizations addressing healthcare access, food security, or economic vitality can apply for American Heart Association’s Social Impact Fund Nationwide Grant, offering up to US $500,000. U.S. and Puerto Rico organizations, including those serving Virginia communities with sustainable, health-focused solutions, may be eligible if they demonstrate scalable, evidence-based impact in under-resourced areas.

Virginia educational, medical, human welfare, and other 501(c)(3) charitable organizations can access funding through Van Metre Companies Foundation for community services, poverty alleviation, and emerging technology initiatives. Sustainability-focused nonprofits whose work overlaps these areas may be eligible to apply for support benefiting local communities.

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 programs. Funding may benefit sustainability efforts through environmental conservation, habitat restoration, parks, pollution, and related community services and education.

CNX Foundation provides Virginia community organizations with funding for tangible, local projects addressing food security, children’s health, domestic abuse, substance use, reentry, workforce training, technology access, and water quality. Eligible applicants are nonprofits and community groups in CNX’s Appalachian operating footprint seeking measurable, long-term impact; sustainability-focused initiatives in these areas may be competitive.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations and government agencies in Virginia can apply for the Virginia Environmental Endowment’s Virginia Program Grant to support water quality, land conservation, environmental education, and climate adaptation projects. Funding can advance river and Chesapeake Bay restoration, sustainable land use, environmental literacy, and other sustainability initiatives that improve local watersheds and communities.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Cameron Foundation provides Virginia 501(c)(3) organizations with project, operating, and capital grants of US $10,000 - US $200,000. Eligible nonprofits serving the Tri-Cities and surrounding counties can fund conservation, open space preservation, parks and trails, greening, and related community revitalization efforts that benefit local residents.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Hampton Roads communities with programs in nourishment, shelter, education, economic opportunity, or a healthy environment in Virginia can seek funding for projects, programs, core operations, or capital needs. With a mission to strengthen community systems, The Blocker Foundation provides flexible, multi-year support that may benefit sustainability-focused initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing mental health and substance use disorders can apply for behavioral health program funding from Elevance Health Foundation, including work in Virginia. With a mission to improve community health, the foundation supports scalable treatment, prevention, and anti-loneliness initiatives that track measurable outcomes and may benefit sustainability-focused organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Environmental and sustainability-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Virginia communities, particularly in Arlington and Fairfax counties, can apply for Venable Foundation grants; awards are approximately US $10,000 for projects or general operations. Programs may address environmental conservation alongside human services, education, health, workforce development, youth impact, legal services, or arts and culture for economically disadvantaged people.

With a mission to support Virginia communities, the Gwathmey Memorial Trust provides Virginia nonprofits with US $5,000 - US $60,000 for one-year program or general operating support. Eligible organizations work on basic needs, workforce development, environmental protection, education, arts, culture, or historic preservation, including sustainability-focused initiatives.

The Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program, funded by the EPA and Chesapeake Bay Trust, supports innovative green infrastructure projects enhancing community livability. With funding opportunities ranging from conceptual plans to full project implementation, this program aims to reduce stormwater runoff, improve urban green spaces, and boost local water health within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Eligible locations include parts of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, as well as New York.

Local Main Street organizations in Virginia can seek funding to implement one-time downtown revitalization projects that advance community and economic development goals. Grants from Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development help Virginia environmental conservation and sustainability-focused groups when their work supports revitalizing historic commercial districts through collaborative, measurable, and creative initiatives, with awards up to US $75,000.

Nonprofit and community organizations in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic working on historic preservation, land conservation, or community sustainability can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation; awards up to US $7,500 support planning and education projects. Eligible uses include professional preservation planning, public education programs, outreach materials, and community forums, with a required dollar-for-dollar cash match.

UNFCU Foundation

In 1947, UN members founded the United Nations Federal Credit Union with the goal of serving the financial needs of those who serve the world. Having learned more about the poverty and inequality that the UN witnessed every day, UNFCU was inspired to do more.

With the support of their membership and over 65 years of financial knowledge, UNFCU founded the UNFCU Foundation in 2015.

Grant Opportunities

We support projects that align with our mission to sustain the path out of poverty for women and youth. These projects must also help to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. To be eligible for funding, over 50% of the proposed project’s beneficiaries must be women or girls.

Areas of Focus

Our goal is to empower women and youth with fundamental human rights. To accomplish this, we accept grant applications for projects focused on education, livelihood training, and health care. Each year, we also select an additional strategic focus to deepen our philanthropic impact. This year, particular consideration will be given to projects who provide digital upskilling to economically vulnerable women and youth. Note: projects funding humanitarian relief efforts are by invitation only.

Education

Our education projects work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow, learn, and prosper. We look to empower girls and women through education so they can unleash their full potential within their community. We also educate boys on the critical role girls and women play in families and societies, to break down antiquated norms around gender.

We fund education projects that focus on the following:

• Reading, writing, and math programs
• Financial education, from budgeting to business planning
• GED training
• Child educational TV programming
• Digital advancements for remote learning

Livelihood Training

Our livelihood training projects create economic opportunities and job prospects for women so they can earn their own incomes.

Livelihood training equips women with the skills and experience they need to rise out of poverty permanently, and bring their families and communities along with them.

We fund livelihood training that focuses on the following:

• Computer skills training
• Customer service training
• Entrepreneurial strategies
• Seed money for new businesses
• Training in specific sectors, like farming

Health Care

We fund projects that ensure proper access to health care for women and girls, including reproductive care.

When women are at their healthiest, physically and emotionally, they can also succeed economically. No one should fear losing their job in order to take care of their physical or mental health.

We fund health care projects that focus on the following:

• Protecting reproductive rights
• Providing healthcare to homeless populations
• Providing access to free or low-cost care
• Providing mental health assistance
• Supporting emotional health and building self-esteem

With a mission to strengthen communities, nonprofits in Virginia working on environmental stewardship, conservation, or broader sustainability can receive up to US $5,000 for programmatic initiatives. Universal Corporation’s Universal Leaf Foundation also considers projects in well-being, education, and civic and arts that serve its priority communities, including Kenbridge and Richmond.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation offers Community Grants for Seed & Program Funding in Health & Wellness to enhance the wellbeing of southeastern Virginia residents. These grants support nonprofits focused on improving access to health services, promoting healthy behaviors, and addressing health disparities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations serving the South Hampton Roads area, with priority given to programs that enhance health literacy and connect individuals to essential care.

Virginia health-focused nonprofits improving maternal and infant health outcomes can access funding through Elevance Health Foundation for programs that reduce disparities and remove barriers to care. Community-based organizations working along the pregnancy journey, from pre-conception through postnatal care, may be eligible if they can demonstrate specific, measurable maternal and child health results.

Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofits can receive up to US $25,000 for education, health and human services, and environmental or cultural programs, with preference for the Richmond metro area. Herndon Foundation provides Virginia sustainability and conservation groups with program, operating, or limited endowment support when they can show strong impact.

Virginia nonprofits providing K-12 education services for Native American children living on reservations can access funding via the Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund. Grants support established, year-round educational programs with measurable outcomes, strong financial accountability, and collaborative approaches, and may benefit organizations whose sustainability work intersects with educational access and equity.