Free funder guide · Virginia · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Virginia environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Virginia have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 12 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Virginia that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Virginia, 586 of the 820 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 71%.
That leaves 234 larger Virginia foundations that say they will read an application. It is a higher share of closed doors than in Ohio, where the same count gives 63% (921 of 1,468).
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a Virginia address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (almost all for tax years 2024 or 2025). Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Ohio. Counting them too gives 73% (648 of 892).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
12 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Virginia.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 27 Sept 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedRolling applications any timeFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm first
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
Virginia Environmental Endowment
Richmond · statewide
Virginia water quality, land conservation with a water-quality link, environmental education, and emerging issues such as climate adaptation for coastal communities. It does not fund land purchases.
Typical grant
Median $29,119 across its 35 grants in the year to March 2026. Examples: Wetlands Watch $40,000, Rivanna Conservation Alliance $25,000, Friends of the Lower Appomattox River $19,700.
Next deadline
December 1, 2026, 5 p.m. ET Verified; then June 15, 2027.
How to apply
Proposal on its application form, as a Word document, emailed to [email protected].
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants
Washington, DC · Bay watershed, including Virginia
Community-based restoration, planning and technical assistance that improves water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Typical grant
Up to $150,000 for planning and technical assistance; $150,000 to $750,000 for on-the-ground projects (2026 request for proposals). Virginia grants in its latest filing, which does not name the program: Piedmont Environmental Council $140,665 (riparian buffers), Rivanna Conservation Alliance $500,798.
Next deadline
About April 2027 Expected. The 2026 round closed in early April 2026; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
Chesapeake Bay Trust: Youth Environmental Education
Annapolis, MD · Bay watershed parts of Virginia
Outdoor student investigations, schoolyard habitat and educator training in Maryland and the Bay watershed portions of Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and DC. Nonprofits can apply.
Typical grant
Up to $10,000 (tracks 1 and 2) or up to $5,000 (tracks 3 and 4).
Next deadline
About July 2027 Expected. The 2026 deadline was July 9.
Three programs fit: the Prana Fund (hands-on environmental education combined with the visual arts for children in Charlottesville and Albemarle), the Eco-Living Fund (projects that measurably shift daily habits or cut building resource use), and the Bama Works Fund (general community grants across Charlottesville and seven counties).
Typical grant
Prana up to $15,000; Bama Works up to $10,000; Eco-Living up to $7,000 (its site).
Next deadline
Prana Fund October 14, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Verified. Eco-Living September 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Verified; after that, check its page for the next round. Bama Works about February 15, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
CACF's grantee portal. For Prana and Bama Works, email [email protected] for an access code.
Staunton · Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta, Highland, Nelson
An annual Community Grants Program open to nonprofits serving its five localities. It does not fund sectarian organizations.
Typical grant
Not published. Environmental grants in its 2024 filing: Nature Foundation at Wintergreen $37,500, Valley Conservation Council $10,000, Friends of the Shenandoah River $9,250.
Next deadline
Opens about December 1, 2026 and closes early February 2027 Expected. The last cycle ran December 1, 2025 to February 2, 2026.
Competitive county grants plus year-round Stronger Communities grants. Recent environmental grantees include The Clifton Institute ($24,500) and Friends of the Rappahannock ($12,000).
Typical grant
Historically $2,500 to $20,000 (Richard Lykes Fund) and $2,500 to $25,000 (Community Assistance Grant), per its site.
Next deadline
Richard Lykes Community Fund, Rappahannock County: October 7 to 30, 2026 Verified. Community Assistance Grant, Culpeper, Fauquier and Rappahannock: proposal summary January 12 to February 12, 2027 Verified. Stronger Communities: year-round, not for general operating costs Rolling.
How to apply
NPCF grant portal. It recommends contacting staff before applying.
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia: Environment Fund
Fairfax · Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and nearby cities
Projects that "protect, restore and improve the natural environment of Northern Virginia". Program or general support; not capital, endowment or scholarships.
Typical grant
$5,000 (budget under $100,000), $10,000 (under $500,000) or $20,000 (above $500,000).
Next deadline
About January to February 2027 Expected. The 2026 cycle ran January 12 to February 12.
Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties
Leesburg · Loudoun County
Van Huyck Chockley Family Foundation project grants for specific environmental conservation and historic preservation projects in Loudoun County. Direct project costs only.
Typical grant
About $5,000 or less (its site). Environmental grants in the foundation's 2025 filing include Land Trust of Virginia, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Goose Creek Association.
Next deadline
About September 1, 2027 Expected. The 2026 round opened October 15, 2025 and closed September 1, 2026.
How to apply
Write to the Foundation's Director of Grants first; the fund's advisor holds a preliminary discussion, then sends the application.
Roanoke · Roanoke, Salem, Martinsville and six counties
Year-round letters of intent under "Community Vibrancy", which names environmental sustainability and outdoor recreation. Serves Roanoke, Salem and Martinsville and Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Henry, Patrick and Roanoke counties.
Typical grant
Historically $14,000 to $25,000 on average (its site). Recent grantees include Blue Ridge Land Conservancy ($26,000) and Pathfinders for Greenways ($5,500).
Next deadline
None Rolling. One letter of intent per fiscal year (July to June).
How to apply
Letter of intent through its online grants account.
Elkins, WV · Appalachia, preference for Virginia and West Virginia
Greenhouse gas reduction and stream and fishery restoration tied to the effects of energy development in Appalachia, including public education and pilot projects.
Typical grant
Its 9 grants in 2024 ran $12,000 to $50,000. Virginia example: Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance $20,000.
Next deadline
Expression of interest February 1, 2027 Verified (standing schedule, subject to change); then July 1.
How to apply
Online expression of interest; full applications by invitation.
No website; everything here comes from its 2025 tax filing. It funds "soil and water protection", open space, forest species native to Southwest Virginia, and related education and research.
Typical grant
Median $25,000 across 15 grants in 2025. Examples: New River Soil and Water Conservation District $48,131, Virginia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation $32,000, Grayson LandCare $25,000.
Next deadline
None; applications "at any time during the year" Filing only.
How to apply
Request its application form from the contact named on the filing: Lynn Hazelwood, [email protected].
Scottsville · Charlottesville area and wider Virginia
No website; everything here comes from its 2025 tax filing. Small general-purpose grants, about two-thirds of the dollars in Virginia, including wildlife and outdoor groups.
Typical grant
Mostly $2,000 to $4,000. Examples: Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary $4,000, Wildlife Center of Virginia $4,000, Elk Hill Outdoor Programs $2,000.
Next deadline
None stated Filing only.
How to apply
"Informal letter with budget", mailed to 906 Plain Dealing Farm, Scottsville, VA 24590.
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
The full version
Want this done for your own organization?
A Funding Roadmap ($1,200, flat fee) gives you ten to fifteen funders matched to your mission, place and size, the grants each one paid to groups like yours, how to apply, and a 12-month grant calendar. Every deadline is labeled the same way as on this page.
Email me your organization's name, rough budget and what you'd like funded. You'll get a written reply within two business days.
You fill in a short intake questionnaire, then answer one round of written follow-up questions.
About three weeks later you get the roadmap, a two-page note on how to use it, and 14 days of email questions.
Everything happens in writing. There are no calls or meetings.