Funding Opportunities
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).
The application window is open July 1 – September 1. The 2025 application is closed.
View the 2025 Giving Back Guide.
The Giving Back Guide
The Giving Back Guide is a voluntary publicity opportunity for nonprofits located in and serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County to share about their organization’s mission, vision, accomplishments and funding needs.
Please note that TCFHR does not solicit organizations to be involved; we publicize the opportunity for organizations to participate in if they wish. A representative of the nonprofit must fill out a submission process by the deadline.
Visit the Giving Back Guide home page for more information.
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 (restricted)
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: these areas are the arts, food pantries, health care, mental health care for children, or animals).
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.
Read about the 2025 Harrisonburg-Rockingham awardees and the Highland County awardees (announced 11/20/25).
View publicity guidelines for grantees.
- 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.
For the following grant opportunity, an eligible organization is a 501(c)(3) physically located in and serving Highland County, Virginia.
- Little Swiss Fund – 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.
