Grant Priorities and Restrictions

Priorities:

The Memorial Foundation for Children awards grants annually to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Richmond Area that address significant issues within our major funding categories, Education and Health and Wellness of children from birth through the age of 21. The Richmond area is defined as the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, and Henrico.

Education Grants should engage children over a period of time in a series of interactions that culminate in improved knowledge or skill. Preference will be given to schools, organizations and programs that support success in school and motivate children to thrive in life. We place emphasis on supporting programs that improve Early Childhood and K-12 Education.

 

Health and Wellness Grants are awarded to organizations that provide quality, meaningful medical care, physical and mental health services, and health education programs to benefit children.

 

Grant Applications will be Evaluated by How Closely They Align with the Following Criteria

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• primarily serve children from asset-limited households (see United for Alice - Virginia)

• demonstrate long-term impact

• are designed to achieve measurable results

• fund evidence-based programs that enhance educational experiences or promote optimal health

• provide support to organizations that collaborate to improve the lives of children living in poverty

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Geographic Focus:

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Generally, grants are made only to organizations located in the Richmond metropolitan area, which is defined as the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover and Henrico. However, funds are sometimes awarded to agencies located outside of the geographic region for grant proposals specifically serving children who reside within the Richmond metropolitan area.

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Eligibility and Restrictions for All Grants:

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• Grants are made to organizations that qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and to qualifying government instrumentalities, such as public schools.

• Requests for endowments, private foundations, private operating foundations, individuals, annual fund campaigns, or fundraising expenses will not be considered.

• Grants for individual tuition, scholarships, and camperships are NOT funded, and generally, one-time event grants are not favored. Grant requests that include field trips and/or event tickets to enhance programming that engages children over a period of time will be considered.

• Grants are not typically made for “bricks and mortar” projects.

• Grants are awarded on an every other year basis.

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If you should have questions about the Foundation’s grant funding priorities or guidelines, please contact the Grants Chair at MFCRichmond@gmail.com.