For Grantseekers
TCFHR invests in nonprofit organizations to address challenges and change lives. We seek out and support innovative solutions, partnering with hundreds of nonprofits working on a range of issues and problems.
Impact
Looking for opportunities for funding? Nonprofits that participate in our annual grant cycle access opportunities and outlets for giving, receiving, educating, and collaborating. We also help nonprofits find donors who want to give to your cause.
$8.3 Million
Awarded Since 1998
1,100+
Donors
470+
Organizations Receiving Grants
$6+ Million
Annually In Grants
Available Funding Opportunities
One application connects you to donors, competitive grants, and publicity for your organization. Applications open July 1 and close Sept. 1. Amount of funding available varies each year. Grant awards are made in November each year.
TCFHR uses one process to manage several opportunities for nonprofits to share funding needs with grantors.
Organizations with 501(c)(3) status located in and serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County are invited to participate in this process. Schools and churches are not eligible to apply.
Completion qualifies the organization for inclusion in the Giving Back Guide and if certain criteria are met, for relevant restricted grants (see more below).
This year, funding requests may be for a particular project, programming, capital expenditure, or a request for unrestricted funding (materials/equipment, resources, etc.).
When you enter the process, your first stop will be an eligibility quiz determining the criteria your organization meets. Those organizations meeting criteria to compete for available restricted Community Grants will be sorted to the relevant applications. All others will enter our form that collects information for the Giving Back Guide.
The Giving Back Guide
The Giving Back Guide is a unique publicity opportunity for any nonprofit located in and serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County to share (in a one-page profile) about their organization’s mission, vision, accomplishments and funding needs. This annual print and digital resource is promoted and circulated to the public and area media, in print and digital form, in mid-November. TCFHR utilizes the guide as a tool in donor conversations throughout the year. Many donor-advised grants as well as gifts from community members are made to local organizations as a result of this resource.
Community Grants
TCFHR manages a number of funds that make grants ONLY to organizations working primarily in specific fields. To be considered, your organization’s primary mission must be in the designated field (see below).
Note that if you qualify for a restricted grant, you only need to fill out one application, which will also be used for your organization’s profile in the Giving Back Guide.
Hildred Neff Memorial Fund
To benefit nonprofit organizations that provide for the needs of domestic animals or wildlife. The annual grant distribution exceeds $22,000, and multiple organizations may be awarded.
Alvin J. Baird Jr. Program Endowment Fund
To benefit nonprofit healthcare organizations that address unmet healthcare needs in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County community. The annual grant distribution exceeds $44,000, and one or more organizations may be awarded.
Harrisonburg/Rockingham Food Pantry Endowment
To benefit area food pantries. The annual grant distribution exceeds $500.
Sean Warner Memorial Endowment Fund
To benefit nonprofit organizations in Harrisonburg/Rockingham County providing emotional support services for children of divorced parents. This grant is approximately $500, and it is awarded every other year to one organization.
Earlynn J. Miller Fund for the Arts
To encourage arts nonprofit organizations to dream about the possibilities to significantly grow the arts in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County community. The annual grant funding exceeds $60,000 in total, and one or more organizations may be awarded.
Valley Arts & Culture Fund
This permanent fund provides program, project and seed funds to small and medium sized nonprofit organizations promoting performing and visual arts and interpreting the culture and traditions of and in the Shenandoah Valley. The annual grant funding exceeds $1,400 in total.
Mary Spitzer Etter Endowed Fund
This permanent fund helps finance projects that benefit the arts in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. The annual grant funding exceeds $4,700 in total.
Janet Sohn Endowed Fund
This permanent fund provides funds to one organization annually that was supported by Janet during her lifetime. Eligible organizations are Big Brothers Big Sisters – Harrisonburg, East Gate Ministries, Habitat for Humanity – Bridgewater, Sentara RMH Foundation, and Salvation Army – Harrisonburg. The annual grant funding exceeds $12,000 in total.
Little Swiss Fund
For the following grant opportunity, an eligible organization is a 501(c)(3) physically located in and serving Highland County, Virginia. To benefit Highland County nonprofits with broad active volunteer support and annual revenues exceeding $25,000, are encouraged to apply for annual grant funding. Total annual grant funding exceeds $500,000, and multiple organizations will be awarded.
Great Community Give
In April, we host an online fundraising opportunity called the Great Community Give. Since the first event in 2018, we’ve raised more than $10 million for area nonprofits.
Grant FAQs
Does TCFHR make grants to organizations without a 501(c)(3) designation?
No. To qualify for grant-making support, your nonprofit organization must be designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization.
What types of funding does TCFHR provide?
TCFHR offers three types of funding:
- Restricted grants: TCFHR manages several funds set up by donors that require grantees to meet certain criteria. These funds are only available to nonprofits working in certain fields. These grants are awarded on a competitive basis through our Community Grants cycle.
- Unrestricted grants: TCFHR also has funds that do not have restrictions on the grant, as long as the gift goes to a 501(c)(3). These funds are awarded at the discretion of the Grants Committee.
- Donor-recommended grants: Our Giving Back Guide is a free opportunity for area nonprofits to share their funding needs with our fundholders. The guide is used during conversations here in the TCFHR office with fundholders and also circulated to the general public. Any nonprofit located in and serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County is eligible to submit their information for this resource.
TCFHR also hosts an annual online giving day that has raised more than $10 million for local nonprofits in the past eight years. While this is not a grant opportunity, this is an amazing and free opportunity to fundraise for your organization. Learn more at www.greatcommunitygive.org.
Can I apply for a grant from a donor-advised fund?
Applications are not accepted for donor-advised funds. Donors work with the Foundation to direct grants based on the donors’ areas of interest. One way that donors learn about needs is through our Giving Back Guide, a free opportunity for area nonprofits located in and serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
Are individuals eligible for grant funding?
With the exception of scholarship awards, grants are ONLY awarded to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.
How much grant funding is awarded annually?
These calculations differ each year. See the list of community grants for ranges.
How are funding decisions prioritized for applicants?
We know that nonprofits’ funding needs almost always exceed the grant dollars available. We look for organizations that
How does my nonprofit organization or charitable project apply?
The first step is to establish a single organizational profile. The grant portal will maintain a record of your organization’s application history, which your organization may access any time.. If you are unsure whether your organization already has an organizational profile, or need assistance at any point of the process, please contact ann@tcfhr.org
What happens after my grant application is submitted? How is it reviewed?
After your application is submitted,our director of grants reviews your request and forwards it to the Grants Committee.
We have misplaced our login information. How do we retrieve it?
If you cannot locate your password, return to the online grant portal and select the “forgot password” link on the home page. If you cannot locate any of the login information for your organization, please contact us to retrieve your organizational profile information.
