Funding Strategy
Major grants, foundations & financing sources
Total Sources
15
Avg Range
$50K - $1M+
Gov + Foundation
7
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Government
Funding Range
$25K - $1M+
Focus Area
Competitive arts, festivals, performance infrastructure
Deadline
Rolling / Typically Feb-Mar
Notes
Arts Access category, Grants to Organization programs
Mellon Foundation
Major Foundation
Funding Range
$100K - $5M
Focus Area
Arts & culture, education, performance ecosystems
Deadline
Rolling with LOI required
Notes
Supports infrastructure for the arts
Ford Foundation
Major Foundation
Funding Range
$50K - $2M
Focus Area
Arts, civic engagement, social change
Deadline
Rolling
Notes
Arts & Culture program
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
Major Foundation
Funding Range
$100K - $1M+
Focus Area
Performing arts, artist support, festivals
Deadline
Rolling / Annual cycles
Notes
Performing Arts, Artist Development
Kresge Foundation
Major Foundation
Funding Range
$100K - $2M
Focus Area
Arts & culture infrastructure, civic spaces
Deadline
Rolling
Notes
Arts program supports community arts institutions
Virginia Economic Development Authority (VEDA)
State / Regional
Funding Range
$50K - $500K
Focus Area
Cultural districts, creative economy, tourism
Deadline
Rolling
Notes
Virginia Beach competitive arts = tourism asset
Virginia Commission for the Arts
State
Funding Range
$5K - $50K
Focus Area
Local arts councils, festivals, programs
Deadline
Rolling
Notes
Technical assistance grants, project support
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Major Foundation
Funding Range
$250K - $5M
Focus Area
Arts districts, public spaces, cities program
Deadline
By invitation or LOI
Notes
Focus on cultural districts & civic engagement
Community Foundation Virginia Beach
Local Foundation
Funding Range
$10K - $250K
Focus Area
Local nonprofits, community development
Deadline
Spring & Fall cycles
Notes
Vital for local/regional projects
Walmart Community Grants
Corporate
Funding Range
$5K - $50K
Focus Area
Community development, education
Deadline
Rolling
Notes
Virginia Beach has major Walmart presence
American Express Foundation
Corporate Foundation
Funding Range
$25K - $500K
Focus Area
Arts, cultural heritage, workforce
Deadline
Rolling
Notes
Arts & Culture program
NEA Arts Access
Government
Funding Range
$75K - $200K
Focus Area
Underserved communities, accessibility
Deadline
Annual
Notes
HBCU, minority-serving institutions, BIPOC artists
SBA Loans for Cultural Organizations
Government / Finance
Funding Range
$25K - $2M+
Focus Area
Working capital, equipment, expansion
Deadline
Rolling
Notes
504/7(a) loans with favorable terms for nonprofits
Kickstarter / Patronicity
Crowdfunding
Funding Range
$10K - $500K+
Focus Area
Public participation, community projects
Deadline
Flexible
Notes
Grassroots funding with matched grants
Rivers Casino Portsmouth Partnership Funds
Corporate / Gaming
Funding Range
$100K - $1M+
Focus Area
Community benefit agreements, events
Deadline
Quarterly review
Notes
**Virginia Beach strategic partner**
🎯 Strategic Approach
- ✓ Quick Wins ($10-50K): Local foundations, Walmart, Virginia Commission for the Arts
- ✓ Mid-Level ($100-500K): NEA Arts Access, state VEDA, regional community foundations
- ✓ Major Grants ($500K-$5M): Mellon, Ford, Doris Duke, Bloomberg — all need strong Letter of Intent & track record
- ✓ Corporate Partnerships ($100K+): Rivers Casino ($$$), Walmart, AmEx — tie to CSR/community benefit
- ✓ Alternative Financing: SBA loans, crowdfunding, grassroots Patronicity matching
