Special Interest Grants
The Hampton Roads Community Foundation’s Special Interest Grants fund nonprofits addressing community needs in areas like mental health, disabilities, arts, animal welfare, and research in South Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Funder: Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Due Dates: October 1, 2026 (Special Interest Grants – annual deadline)
Funding Amounts: Typically $1,000–$75,000 per grant, depending on fund; most awards $5,000–$20,000; E.K. Sloane Piano Fund up to $75,000.
Summary: Supports nonprofits in South Hampton Roads addressing donor-identified community needs in areas such as abuse, animal welfare, disabilities, arts, horticulture, mental health, seniors, and veterans.
Description
Special Interest Grants are endowed by donors through the Hampton Roads Community Foundation to address specific community concerns in South Hampton Roads, Virginia. These grants fund nonprofit organizations working in one of eleven defined areas, including services for abuse survivors, animal welfare, developmental and intellectual disabilities, horticultural education, mental health research, outreach to seniors, arts and humanities, piano purchase and repair, and veterans’ support. Each grant area is supported by a dedicated fund, often with unique criteria and priorities reflecting the interests of the original donor. For example, the E.K. Sloane Piano Fund focuses on supporting the purchase or repair of pianos for public performance.
