Make life better in Hampton Roads through civic leadership, philanthropy, and grantmaking.
A defining pattern at Hampton Roads Community Foundation is its large, repeated support for education, culture, and community infrastructure in Norfolk and the wider Hampton Roads region. In the recent grant list, major awards to the University of Virginia Law School Foundation, Norfolk Botanical Garden Inc, Old Dominion University Museum Foundation, and Access College Foundation show a portfolio that reaches from higher education and scholarships to museums, gardens, and other place-based institutions. The foundation also backs essential community needs through grants to Emergency Assistance Foundation Inc, United Way of South Hampton Roads, and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Inc. Its work is not limited to one issue area: the grant record includes education, environment, culture, disaster relief, human services, and facilities. That breadth aligns with its community-foundation structure and with active programs that support health and wellness, economic stability, cultural vitality, environmental stewardship, and capital projects. The scale is substantial as well, with annual grants of $76,443,514 and total assets above half a billion dollars, indicating a funder that operates across many parts of civic life while still concentrating most giving in Virginia.
Education is a major theme. The foundation gave $1,172,957 to Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation for education and $644,183 and $606,443 to Old Dominion University Educational Foundation in separate years, showing sustained support for postsecondary institutions in Norfolk. Cultural and arts-related giving is also prominent: Virginia Opera received $854,732 for culture, and the Chrysler Museum of Art received $839,313 for culture. Environmental stewardship appears in grants such as $853,370 to Elizabeth River Project for environment, alongside support for Norfolk Botanical Garden Inc. Human services and disaster response are part of the mix too. The foundation gave $750,595 to United Way of South Hampton Roads for human services and $1,100,000 to Emergency Assistance Foundation Inc for disaster relief, indicating a portfolio that includes both local service delivery and emergency support.
Typical grants cluster in the middle range, with a 25th percentile of $11,200, a median of $27,784, and a 75th percentile of $81,132. The recent list also shows a small number of very large institutional awards alongside many smaller competitive and special-interest grants. Recipients recur across years: Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Inc, Old Dominion University Educational Foundation, Emergency Assistance Foundation Inc, and Virginia Symphony Orchestra all appear more than once. The foundation is a mixed community foundation, not a private family foundation, and its active programs include both competitive grants and giving-circle-funded programs. Several programs accept unsolicited applications, while the Community Leadership Partners giving-circle grant does not.
$31.1M
$524.1M
$20M
$38.6M
Most grants fall between $11K and $81K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$11K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$81K
RICHARD MATTHEWS
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Giving is heavily centered in Virginia, where 84% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Norfolk is the clearest hub in the recent grants list, with awards to Norfolk Botanical Garden Inc, Old Dominion University Museum Foundation, Virginia Opera, Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and others. Charlottesville, Dallas, Easton, Princeton, Atlanta, San Antonio, and Notre Dame also appear among recipients. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 883 grants going to U.S. organizations.
Its recent grant list includes universities, museums, health and human services organizations, disaster-relief intermediaries, and capital-project recipients. Examples include University of Virginia Law School Foundation, Norfolk Botanical Garden Inc, Emergency Assistance Foundation Inc, and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Inc.
The grant-size distribution centers on a $27,784 median, with a 25th percentile of $11,200 and a 75th percentile of $81,132. The recent list also includes larger awards in the hundreds of thousands and above $1 million.
Most grants go to Virginia recipients, but the recent record also includes organizations in Texas, Maryland, New Jersey, Indiana, and Georgia. The grant list is entirely U.S.-based, with 883 grants to U.S. organizations.
Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Community Grants – Health and Wellness, Community Grants – Cultural Vitality, Community Grants – Environmental Stewardship, Community Grants, Community Grants — Economic Stability, Planning Grants, Special Interest Grants, and The Nightingale Fund. The Community Leadership Partners giving-circle grant does not accept unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Hampton Roads Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads; applicants must provide required recent financial statements.
Deadline: Applications due October 1 annually.
Who can apply: Eligible applicants include high schools on the Virginia Peninsula and organizations supporting arts and humanities activities on the Virginia Peninsula.
Deadline: Applications due October 1 annually.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads; preference may be given to programs assisting veterans with disabilities.
Deadline: Applications due October 1 annually.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads; applicants must provide required recent financial statements.
Deadline: Applications due October 1 annually.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads. Proposals are limited to programs providing services to adults with cerebral palsy.
Deadline: Applications due October 1 annually.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations and schools in Hampton Roads are eligible, with preference for nonprofit organizations in Hampton Roads. Religious organizations must use pianos for public performances.
Deadline: Applications due October 1 annually.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads; preference is given to specified horticultural institutions.
Deadline: Applications due October 1 annually.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of South Hampton Roads. Proposals are limited to programs providing training to people with intellectual disabilities.
Deadline: Applications due October 1 annually.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LAW SCHOOL FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $2,021,700 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN INC | NORFOLK, VA | $1,190,365 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY MUSEUM FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $1,110,000 | 2025 | CULTURE |
| EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION INC | DALLAS, TX | $1,100,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RELIEF |
| ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $972,068 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| YMCA OF THE CHESAPEAKE | EASTON, MD | $963,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART | NORFOLK, VA | $839,313 | 2025 | CULTURE |
| VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | NORFOLK, VA | $833,339 | 2025 | CULTURE |
| OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $606,443 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF THE KING'S DAUGHTERS INC | NORFOLK, VA | $520,784 | 2025 | FACILITIES |
| BUSINESS CONSORTIUM FOR ARTS SUPPORT DBA ARTS ALLIANCE | NORFOLK, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | CULTURE |
| VIRGINIA OPERA | NORFOLK, VA | $457,696 | 2025 | CULTURE |
| HAMPTON ROADS EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE | NORFOLK, VA | $447,000 | 2025 | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT |
| VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL | NORFOLK, VA | $432,732 | 2025 | CULTURE |
| EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $424,130 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | NORFOLK, VA | $415,742 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| DUKE UNIVERSITY | DURHAM, NC | $411,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CLEAN AIR TASK FORCE | BOSTON, MA | $400,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| E3 ELEVATE EARLY EDUCATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $378,360 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| FORKIDS INC | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $374,559 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ELIZABETH RIVER PROJECT | NORFOLK, VA | $345,400 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| FOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA AND THE EASTERN SHORE | NORFOLK, VA | $342,158 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| AN ACHIEVABLE DREAM VIRGINIA BEACH | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $337,320 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NORFOLK ACADEMY | NORFOLK, VA | $324,394 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LAKE TAYLOR TRANSITIONAL CARE HOSPITAL | NORFOLK, VA | $321,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ONLEY, VA | $304,430 | 2025 | OTHER |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $302,840 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| VIRGINIA AQUARIUM & MARINE SCIENCE CENTER FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $281,250 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| HAMPTON ROADS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION ASSOCIATION INC (WHRO) | NORFOLK, VA | $273,270 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC | NORFOLK, VA | $272,580 | 2025 | CULTURE |
| EASTERN SHORE COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | ONANCOCK, VA | $262,750 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| HAMPTON ROADS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $254,500 | 2025 | OTHER |
| CORNELL UNIVERSITY | BOONE, IA | $250,750 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| TORAS CHAIM | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $249,288 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PUBLIC HEALTH FOUNDATION INC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $248,395 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION - HAMPTON ROADS OFFICE | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $227,750 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| TALMUDICAL ACADEMY OF NORFOLK | NORFOLK, VA | $225,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL | NORFOLK, VA | $217,016 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| NORFOLK SPCA | NORFOLK, VA | $210,525 | 2025 | ANIMAL WELFARE |
| HORIZONS HAMPTON ROADS INC | NORFOLK, VA | $207,120 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SAMARITAN HOUSE INC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $190,839 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE MUSE WRITERS CENTER | NORFOLK, VA | $190,170 | 2025 | CULTURE |
| UNION MISSION MINISTRIES | NORFOLK, VA | $188,795 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| NAUTICUS FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $182,350 | 2025 | FACILITIES |
| TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $172,840 | 2025 | OTHER |
| LYNNHAVEN RIVER NOW | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $167,174 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| THE SALVATION ARMY HAMPTON ROADS AREA COMMAND | NORFOLK, VA | $165,955 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF EASTERN VIRGINIA INC | NORFOLK, VA | $165,062 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| JUDEO-CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER INC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $161,839 | 2025 | FACILITIES |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF COASTAL VIRGINIA | NORFOLK, VA | $156,286 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN INC
$1,190,365ENVIRONMENT
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$1,110,000CULTURE
HUMAN SERVICES
BUSINESS CONSORTIUM FOR ARTS SUPPORT DBA ARTS ALLIANCE
$500,000CULTURE
VIRGINIA OPERA
$457,696CULTURE
HAMPTON ROADS EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE
$447,000CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$415,742EDUCATION
NORFOLK ACADEMY
$324,394EDUCATION
EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$304,430OTHER
HAMPTON ROADS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION ASSOCIATION INC (WHRO)
$273,270EDUCATION
THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC
$272,580CULTURE
EASTERN SHORE COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
$262,750HUMAN SERVICES
PUBLIC HEALTH FOUNDATION INC
$248,395HEALTH
TALMUDICAL ACADEMY OF NORFOLK
$225,000EDUCATION
EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL
$217,016HEALTH
NORFOLK SPCA
$210,525ANIMAL WELFARE
THE SALVATION ARMY HAMPTON ROADS AREA COMMAND
$165,955HUMAN SERVICES