Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Virginia

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers the DGLF Summer Reading Grants, which support the development and expansion of summer reading programs aimed at Pre-K to 12th grade students, particularly new and below-grade-level readers, including those with learning disabilities. Eligible organizations, such as nonprofits, schools, and libraries within 15 miles of a Dollar General store, can apply for grants up to $3,000 to foster literacy and education initiatives.

The DGLF Youth Literacy Grants, established by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, aim to enhance literacy among underperforming students in K-12. Organizations such as schools and libraries can apply for funding to implement or expand literacy programs, purchase necessary materials, and acquire technology. With over $159 million awarded to date, the foundation supports efforts that provide equitable education opportunities, ensuring every child has the chance to learn and succeed, regardless of their background.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Rev. Douglas T. Pinkard Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was created in memory of Reverend Douglas T. Pinkard. He was a loving father who had five children who attended Spotsylvania County high schools. He was a Baptist Minister in the Spotsylvania community who committed his life to serving others. Some of his missions included: preaching and teaching the gospel, teaching Sunday school and feeding the hungry, as well as visiting the hospitals and prisons. At the age of 62, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that took him home to be with the Lord. Reverend Pinkard once said, “Plant the seed, even though you may not be there to see the beauty of its maturity.”

The Pinkard family wishes to memorialize their loving family member through an annual scholarship that supports Spotsylvania County or City of Fredericksburg high school graduates who share Reverend Pinkard’s commitment to service. At least one scholarship of $1000 will be offered.

This scholarship is given as a seed that will be planted and cultivated so others may see its beauty.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Paris B. Swisher Memorial Scholarship

The Paris B. Swisher Memorial Scholarship is an honor to a grandaughter's fighting spirit.

Paris graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, VA and attended Liberty University. She exemplified a faithful and fearless life by learning music and sailing, enjoying art and embracing her friendships and faith. This scholarship fund celebrates who she was and will continue to do so by supporting local students to shine their light.

A memorial is from David and Shirley Swisher, Paris' grandparents. The Swisher’s also have the David and Shirley Swisher Charitable Fund. They see this scholarship as a meaningful way to continually commemorate service and faith, principles Paris stood for.

Eligible students are high school seniors graduating from specific schools that must be enrolled, accepted or awaiting approval of acceptance from Liberty University and demonstrate service to their community. 

The Virginia Touring Grants program supports high-quality arts performances by reimbursing eligible organizations up to 50% of performance fees for artists from the VCA Touring Artist Roster. Designed to expand access to the arts, these grants are available to Virginia nonprofit organizations, local governments, and federally tax-exempt schools. Presenters must secure a 1:1 cash match and ensure programs are publicly accessible, fostering increased community engagement with the arts throughout Virginia.

The F26AS00104 State ANS Management Plan 2026 aims to combat aquatic nuisance species through pre-proposals followed by full applications. Managed by the US Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, this initiative requires a 25% cost-share and limits administrative costs to 5%. Applications are due by October 14, 2026, though the funding opportunity closes on December 16, 2026. The plan is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting a coordinated national approach to invasive species management.

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, the region’s community foundation, administers a variety of scholarships to reward and assist capable and deserving students based on the criteria established by the fund donors.

Joseph Waskey Gilbert Memorial Fund

Fund will provide higher education financial assistance to deserving students who demonstrate an enthusiasm for life and broad participation in a variety of activities in church, school, and community.

The Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share (VACS) Program offers financial assistance for conservation practices on agricultural lands, significantly reducing landowner expenses. Eligible participants can receive up to $300,000 annually to implement practices that enhance water quality and farm productivity. Applicants must apply through local soil and water conservation districts, with priority given to plans that align with local water quality guidelines. This program aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices across Virginia.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The STEM Bridge Scholarships, provided by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, offer $1,000 to support students who are sophomores or juniors at member universities. This competitive program, funded by NASA and the Commonwealth of Virginia, aims to encourage students in STEM fields. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate commitment to STEM careers, ensuring they are prepared for future opportunities in research and internships.

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Mary B. and Perry A. Thompson Scholarship Fund

The Mary B. and Perry A. Thompson Scholarship Fund honors two of the Fredericksburg region’s prominent civic leaders of the 50’s and 60’s: Mary Thompson, an educator who served Fredericksburg City Schools for nearly 40 years, and Perry Thompson, who retired as advertising director of the Free Lance-Star after 40 years of service. Mr. Thompson established this scholarship fund in July of 1989 to support meritorious local high school seniors with a demonstrable need for financial support. The fund was transferred to The Community Foundation in January 2013.

The Thompson’s Scholarship Fund supports the college or university education of graduating high school seniors from the City of Fredericksburg or the counties of Spotsylvania or Stafford. In particular, the donors intend for their gift to support the further education of high school students who have strong character and who demonstrate applying their intellect. Priority will be given to students for whom financial need or other circumstances create barriers to further education.

Accessibility Microgrants

Purpose

To make the arts accessible to all Virginians by supporting improvements in an organization’s space, facilities, or programming.

Description

The Accessibility Microgrant provides funding up to $2,000, with a 10% (1:10) cash match requirement, for projects that meet a specific accessibility need in an organization’s arts offerings. In-kind or federal matches will not be accepted. Funds will be distributed on a rolling basis in two cycles throughout the fiscal year; once funds are depleted for a given cycle, no more projects will be approved.

This grant supports a wide variety of projects, including minor, non-transformational facilities improvements. While it does not fund construction or installation, it may fund supplies, like signage, that would later be installed

FY 2027 Victim Witness Grant Program

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is accepting applications through the On-line Grant Management System (OGMS) (www.ogms.dcjs.virginia.gov/index.do) for state fiscal year (SFY) 2027, for the Victim Witness Grant Program (VWGP). This funding is supported by federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds, Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (state special funds), and state general funds appropriated to DCJS in the Commonwealth of Virginia’s state budget for SFY 2027.

The primary purpose of VOCA funding is to support the delivery of direct services to victims of crime. For the purposes of this grant program, a crime victim is defined as a person who has suffered physical, sexual, financial, and/or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime. This includes victims of federal crimes. 

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

The Community Foundation is a devoted advocate for the vitality and well-being of the Rappahannock River Region. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages and distributes charitable giving in the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

Scholarships

One of The Community Foundation’s strategies for preserving and growing the quality of life in our region is supporting higher education for area students. Generous individuals and families, companies and organizations establish endowed scholarship funds and the proceeds from these funds benefit deserving students. Donors work with foundation staff to determine appropriate criteria for each fund. The Community Foundation currently administers more than fifty scholarship funds.

The Henry Warden/Patty Shannon Scholarship Endowment Fund

Henry Warden, a Pennsylvania native, moved to Virginia in the late 1800’s, residing at his historic Hazel Hill on lower Princess Ann Street. In addition to owning several other farm properties around the city and in Spotsylvania County, Henry was very active in Fredericksburg public affairs: including, but not limited to serving on the Fredericksburg City Council for 12 years, holding a position as a director of the Chamber of Commerce, serving on the board of directors at Planters National Bank of Fredericksburg (a predecessor of today’s PNC Bank), served on the Fredericksburg City School Board and was one of the founders of Lee Hill Cemetery. He also owned several businesses including Hazel Hill Canning Company.

Patty Shannon is Henry’s great-granddaughter.

High school seniors graduating from Spotsylvania County or the City of Fredericksburg are eligible for this renewable scholarship as a first-generation college student in their immediate family and demonstrate financial need.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding above $25,000 to support health equity initiatives across North America. Founded in 1943, its mission focuses on removing barriers to quality healthcare for vulnerable communities. The foundation prioritizes projects that align with strategic pillars: reducing cancer burdens, preparing the healthcare workforce, and enhancing crisis response. Eligible organizations include national and local nonprofits. Funding is limited to specific regions and assessed based on demonstrated need and expected impact.

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

Our Community Foundation was established in Roanoke in 1988. With our growth, we expanded into the Martinsville/Henry County area in 2005. Today, we administer many hundreds of named endowment funds ranging in size from a minimum of $10,000 to millions of dollars. To date, donors have also committed very significant resources to the Foundation through future estate gifts.

Our Mission:Enabling people who love their community to easily give back.

Scholarships

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, the region’s community foundation, administers a variety of scholarships to reward and assist capable and deserving students based on the criteria established by the fund donors.

Jefferson College of Health Sciences Scholarship Fund

Fund provides higher education scholarships to deserving students attending Radford University Carilion.

The Pratt Family Foundation Grant, established in 1999, supports initiatives in education, healthcare, and community welfare. It prioritizes organizations that aid housing assistance, support for women in crisis, and disadvantaged youth programs, particularly in North Carolina. The Foundation favors established religious and charitable organizations that are tax-exempt and have a local presence. Preference is given to areas connected to the Pratt family, such as Texas and Florida, ensuring impactful contributions to community development.

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, the region’s community foundation, administers a variety of scholarships to reward and assist capable and deserving students based on the criteria established by the fund donors.

Eddie Simpson Scholarship Fund

Fund provides higher education scholarship assistance to very deserving young men and women pursuing an undergraduate degree.

The Toy Foundation Program offers a unique opportunity for nonprofit organizations to apply for toy donations to support children in need. The application period runs from January to June, with approved applicants receiving toys by the end of the year. This initiative, part of the Toy Chest program, has positively impacted over 35 million children since 2003, promoting play as essential for emotional and educational development.

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.

Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank (“VCEIB”) Direct Funding

Accelerating the Deployment of Clean Energy Infrastructure Statewide

The Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank (VCEIB) accelerates the deployment of clean power generation and energy infrastructure across the Commonwealth. VCEIB mobilizes public and private capital to address critical financing gaps in the clean power generation and infrastructure sectors.

VCEIB serves as a hub for financing cleaner, more reliable energy infrastructure throughout the commonwealth. It connects projects and companies with capital from federal, state, and private funding sources. The bank partners with a range of other state agencies and programs to identify investment opportunities and is currently seeded with $10 million through the amounts as allocated in the 2024 State Budget. By housing it within the Department of Energy, only $750,000 of the $2 million set aside for administrative purposes is slated for use due to economies of scale, leaving the remaining $9.25 million used for investments into clean energy infrastructure projects.

What types of projects are be eligible for funding under VCEIB?

Projects that support the goals of Virginia's Energy Plan, such as clean power generation and energy infrastructure, are eligible for funding. For example, projects may include advanced nuclear energy innovations, solar supply chain investments, microgrid installations, grid modernization, battery storage deployments, and more.

What forms of funding does VCEIB provide to projects?

VCEIB will provide loans, credit enhancements, and other forms of support, with a focus on financial instruments that recycle such that the bank can continuously reinvest the funds in additional projects across the Commonwealth.

The Southern Equality Research Grant, offered by the Campaign for Southern Equality, aims to empower students and early career researchers to conduct crucial studies on LGBTQ+ issues in the South. With over a third of LGBTQ+ Americans residing in this region, there is a significant need for research to address legal protections and social inequities. This initiative seeks to elevate the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ Southerners, fostering a deeper understanding of the policies affecting their lives.

M&T Charitable Foundation 

Our purpose is to understand the individuals and the businesses in our neighborhood, so we can create the right opportunities for the people we serve. During our 165-year history, we evolved with the needs of our locations, and are guided by a leadership team that holds us accountable.

Adapting to the needs of our neighbors means finding new solutions and sharing the Research & Insights we learn along the way. We support local organizations by volunteering our time and reinvesting in our community.

M&T Charitable Foundation Community Sponsorship Program

At M&T Bank we are building a stronger community - together. Our purpose is to understand the individuals and the businesses in our neighborhood, so we can create the right opportunities for the people we serve.

Community Sponsorships enable us to partner with nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life in the regions we operate.

Our goal is to make meaningful community-based contributions and to work closely with the organizations we support beyond a financial commitment. At M&T Bank, we consider supporting sponsorship opportunities that result in a mutually beneficial partnership.

Benefitting people in the places making the AI future possible

The Future is for Everyone Fund

Meta is investing directly in education, community enhancement, workforce development and sustainability projects in locations where we have a data center in the United States.

The AI future we are building is for everyone. That starts with making sure everyone in the places that are home to a Meta data center feel the benefits in their communities. We want students to have bright futures, small businesses to flourish and communities to be prosperous.

Our commitment to the communities we call home.

The Future is for Everyone Fund supports investments and programs that address local community priorities in the United States, where we have a Meta data center:

We invest in the people and shared spaces that help a community thrive. That includes the parks, trails, and gathering places where neighbors come together, the technology and access that keep them connected, and first responders - like police officers, firefighters, and paramedics — who keep our communities safe.

We support the people and organizations that power local economies - helping workers gain the skills, certifications, and hands-on experience the modern economy rewards, and backing initiatives that create jobs and give a community its character.

We fund the programs, spaces, and tools that help learners of every age discover what they're capable of - from early literacy and the arts to hands-on science, technology, and problem-solving - and we equip the educators who make it happen with the resources to bring their most ambitious lessons to life.

We invest in the long-term health of the land, water, and wildlife that make our communities home - supporting things like habitat restoration and resource conservation that connects people to the natural world.

What is the Future is for Everyone Fund?

The Future is for Everyone Fund is Meta’s $1 billion commitment to invest directly in the U.S. communities that are home to a Meta data center. The Fund supports local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations and is organized into four focus areas that reflect local priorities: Community Enhancement, Economic Vitality, Education, and Sustainability. It builds on the over $70 million in grant funding we’ve provided to our data center communities since 2011.

The Virginia Academy of Science offers Small Project Research Grants aimed at supporting initiatives that enhance understanding of natural systems in Virginia and human impacts on them. Eligible applicants include members of the Academy, with a focus on projects that provide seed funding for scientific investigations. Past projects have successfully updated significant research on local ecosystems, fostering a collaborative approach to scientific inquiry and community engagement in Virginia's environmental issues.

The Raftelis Leadership Scholarship, offered by the American Water Works Association, supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a consulting career in water utilities. With a value of $5,000, this scholarship aims to foster relationships with diverse, promising students who demonstrate leadership and strong academic performance. Applicants from various academic backgrounds, including business and finance, are encouraged to apply, emphasizing initiative and a desire to contribute positively to the community.

The Wold Foundation Grant, established in 1985, aims to support charitable, scientific, literary, and educational projects primarily benefiting Wyoming citizens and youth. It prioritizes initiatives in education, human services, cultural activities, healthcare, and scientific endeavors that promote conservation and outdoor recreation. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) classified and operate in the U.S. The foundation does not fund individuals or projects that discriminate based on sex, age, or religion.

The SESAPS Francis Slack Award, established by the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society, honors individuals who have selflessly contributed to advancing physics in the Southeast. It recognizes efforts in enhancing research facilities, strengthening academic departments, and fostering regional physics organizations. Nominations remain active for three years, with a focus on encouraging women and minority candidates. This prestigious award commemorates the legacy of Francis G. Slack, a pivotal figure in the development of the Southeastern Section.