Before Applying

Health Definition

WHF uses the World Health Organization’s broad definition of health – “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Grant Priorities

As the Foundation’s funds are finite and the good work of nonprofit organizations and others is limitless, we have established the funding priorities outlined below. Priority consideration is given to proposals which: 

• Align with the Foundation’s vision, mission, goals, and strategies.
• Impact the health of economically disadvantaged individuals, including those who are uninsured and underinsured.
• Improve health opportunities, defined as community resources that enable people to achieve their maximum physical and social wellbeing.
• Demonstrate collaboration, defined as aligning work among partners to create greater outcomes.
• Create stronger systems to support health in the community.

Funding Considerations

WHF considers requests for programs, advocacy, systems change efforts, and/or capacity building designed to advance:

• Healthy Eating Active Living
• Two-Generation Family Services
• Healthy Aging
• Behavioral Health Services
• Integrated Care

To determine strategic alignment, the Foundation’s strategic plan is available here.

Service Area

WHF invests in organizations and programs serving residents of Greater Williamsburg, defined as the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. Please note, WHF occasionally funds, by invitation, outside the service area to advance our mission.

Organization Eligibility

The following types of organizations may apply:

• Nonprofit corporations with 501(c)3 tax status as demonstrated by an IRS determination and filing of IRS form 990 or 990EZ.
• State or local government agencies.

Note: Applicants may use a fiscal sponsor to meet agency eligibility. New or emerging organizations without 501(c)(3) status are permitted to apply through a tax-exempt organization acting as fiscal sponsor. The fiscal sponsor must maintain full discretion and control over any awarded grant funds and should have the organizational capacity to manage and accept the risks involved with fiscal sponsorship.

Grant Types

WHF prioritizes requests for strategically aligned program support and/or capacity building support through annual grant cycles. These opportunities are open to all eligible organizations.

• Program Grants: Support specific sets of activities conducted by an organization over a defined period.
• Capacity Building Grants: Support strengthening an organization by enhancing financing, governance, planning, or other business capabilities.

On occasion, eligible organizations whose work strategically aligns with the Foundation’s goals and with whom a strong relationship has been developed through successful program grants may be invited to apply for General Operating Support.

• General Operating Grants: Support day-to-day expenses to enable an organization to further their mission.

On occasion, WHF considers requests from eligible organizations for capital support in our last funding cycle of the year.

• Capital Grants: Support infrastructure needs in three areas: the purchase of equipment and supplies; the construction, expansion, or renovation of buildings; and/or, the acquisition of land.

o Equipment and Supplies: WHF generally considers requests for the purchase of equipment and supplies as part of our annual grant-funding program to help further an organization’s mission and to serve those who live, work, and play in our service area.

o Buildings and Land: Support of projects related to the construction, expansion, or renovation of buildings and the acquisition of land is limited. Please note, even when these capital projects are strategically aligned, the ability to fund capital requests of this type may be limited by the grants budget that year.

Funding Exclusions

The Foundation does not consider funding requests to support:

• Individuals
• Multi-year funding
• Fundraising events
• Endowments
• Restoration of state or local government funds
• Direct lobbying efforts
• Retrospective funding