Community Leadership Partners Grant Program

The Community Leadership Partners Grant, administered through the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, offers a unique opportunity for nonprofit organizations operating within South Hampton Roads to receive financial support for non-clinical mental health initiatives. Community Leadership Partners is a giving circle composed of civic leaders who collectively pool their time and philanthropic contributions to identify and support impactful community-based programs. Each year, members of this volunteer group participate in a collaborative grant review process to select projects that will strengthen the region. This funder’s mission is rooted in a desire to support organizations that can directly address urgent needs within the community. In 2026, the grantmaking focus is centered on non-clinical mental health services, with the current cycle marking the final year this priority area will be funded. Eligible programs must demonstrate alignment with this priority by providing services that emphasize early intervention, rapid access to mental health support, and community-based resources that promote mental wellness. Key areas of interest include suicide prevention strategies, peer-led support by certified individuals, early intervention services, and public education to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Programs may also include efforts to enhance social connection and community or family engagement. However, clinical treatment—defined as direct patient care, including both virtual and in-person diagnostic or therapeutic services—is strictly excluded from eligibility. Applications must clearly explain how the proposed program contributes to improved mental health outcomes in the community and whether the project is an existing, well-established initiative. Emphasis is placed on proposals that demonstrate high-quality service delivery, adherence to public health protocols (including HIPAA compliance for direct services), and the potential for program sustainability. Applicants are encouraged to include metrics on the number of individuals served and to provide the names of any partner organizations if the program includes referrals. Collaborative approaches and the application of evidence-based best practices are strongly favored, as these help to minimize duplication and improve overall program impact. This funding opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations designated as 501(c)(3) public charities with at least two years of uninterrupted nonprofit status as of April 1, 2024. Eligible organizations must provide services within one or more of the following South Hampton Roads cities: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, or Virginia Beach. National organizations may apply if they have a local chapter or program with staff physically located in the region. Applicants must also be in good standing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and must meet minimum governance requirements, including a board of at least three members independent of executive leadership. The grant awards typically range from $2,500 to $25,000, although the Community Leadership Partners reserve the right to award outside of this range. All applicants will undergo a site visit by a member of the grant committee between May 21 and June 12, scheduled at a mutually convenient time. Only one application per organization will be accepted. Required documents include either audited financials or a full IRS Form 990 for the most recent fiscal year (2025). Organizations filing a 990-EZ or 990-N must also provide a profit and loss statement. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Hampton Roads Community Foundation's online portal by 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2026. Late or incomplete applications may not be considered. An optional virtual Application Information Session will be held on March 31, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., to assist prospective applicants with understanding program goals and application requirements. Technical support is available by phone or email, and contact details for both programmatic and technical assistance are provided. Grant recipients will be required to submit an interim report by February 1, 2027, and a final report by July 15, 2027, both of which must be submitted through the Foundation’s online system and include a success story from the funded program. Final award decisions will be announced by September 30, 2026.

Include sustainability plan, cite referral partners, and emphasize established programs for higher competitiveness