Getting to Know the Many Grant Opportunities at the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNV) awards over $5 million in grants to more than 300 nonprofits each year, making it a very important funder for local nonprofits to know. Although many of these grants flow through the foundation’s 262 donor-established funds, CFNV also operates numerous competitive grant cycles that are more accessible to nonprofits in the area.

Here’s an overview of how grantseekers can secure support from CFNV and tap into its $73.7 million in assets.

Community Investment Funds

CFNV’s Community Investment Funds account for the foundation’s signature grant cycle and represent the best way for many local groups to get involved with this funder. That’s because they cover so many different areas of interest, including child and youth development, education, health, mental health, aging, military personnel and their families, and poverty relief.

These grants are made possible through the Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia, an endowment that supports critical regional needs. The annual application cycle typically opens up in early January, and grantseekers must use an online portal to submit their applications. Organizations that provide services within the following areas can apply for these grants: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park. This is a great opportunity for nonprofits seeking programmatic, capacity building and general operating support.

Giving for women and children

There are several grant opportunities available at CFNV for organizations that specifically serve the needs of women and children. One example is the Business Women's Giving Circle, which promotes opportunities, innovation and entrepreneurship among women and girls. There’s also a Healthy Kids Grants program that promotes exercise and nutrition through the Chin Family Charitable Fund and the J.O.Y. Charitable Fund.

The Micon Opportunity Fund offers grants to public schools and nonprofits for STEM education, and the NOVA Parks - Hemlock Overlook Field Trip Grant Program lets 5th- and 6th-grade public school students experience the great outdoors. Meanwhile, the Our Children Fund supports children in the Fairfax Foster Care System.

Other funding areas

Although the opportunities described above are the primary sources of grant money available through CFNV, other opportunities exist. For example, the Environment Fund at CFNV is an invitation-only grant opportunity aimed at enhancing the health and quality of life of local residents.

There’s also the Giving Circle of HOPE, benefiting small nonprofits that serve low-income and disadvantaged people. The Innovation Fund is all about making investments in creativity and inventiveness, while the Latino Engagement and Achievement Fund supports the local Latino community through grants for civic engagement, education, economic success, naturalization, health, leadership development, volunteerism and advocacy. Finally, there’s a fund specific to Loudoun County as well as a fund that supports local arts groups.

It’s important to get to know these funds on an individual basis because each one has different application deadlines and unique guidelines to follow. Learn more about this community funder and how it gives in Virginia by checking out IP’s full profile of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia.

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