Application Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

The Alleghany Foundation is organized for charitable purposes, and grants are awarded to organizations which are tax-exempt under the IRS Section 501(c)(3) and are not private foundations as described under Section 509(a) as well as to qualifying political subdivisions. Priority is given to organizations serving the Alleghany County, Covington, and Clifton Forge areas with an emphasis on new and different endeavors to improve the community’s quality of life. Although the Foundation has not established inflexible limitations upon the purposes for which it will award grants, in general, grants will not be made for debt reduction, endowment funds, or ongoing general operating expenses or existing deficits. Whereas The Alleghany Foundation places a priority on project-support, there are times when general operating support is deemed critical to sustain non-profits in the region.  Thus, general operating support is considered for entities closely aligned with the Foundation’s strategic priorities on a case-by-case basis. Grants are not made to individuals or religious organizations. In addition, requests that are not of a recurring nature are given preference. (Applicants are encouraged to review the Foundation’s Strategic Plan.)

Strategic Funding Areas of Interest

The Foundation’s priority is to support proposals from organizations that contribute to the following outcomes:

  • Economic Transformation – Harness our region’s strengths to develop a vibrant, diverse and higher-wage economy that can compete in the global marketplace.
  • Educational Excellence – Seeks to invest with institutions, such as our local public schools and community college to move our school systems forward from “Good to Great.”
  • Health and Wellness – Help the residents of the Alleghany Highlands lead healthier lives and access the comprehensive health care they need.
  • Community Capacity – Grow local institutions and organizations with the vision, will, wisdom, and skills to work together to build a more prosperous, equitable, just and sustainable community.
  • Leadership and Civic Vitality – Develop broad-based inclusive leadership that can sustain a forward-looking agenda for the community.
  • VISION 2025 Initiative – A multi-pronged community-led effort for economic revitalization of the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia that is supported in partnerships with The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, The Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation, and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, and made up of the following working groups:
    • Real Estate, Utility Development and Marketing to Expand Industry Base
    • Alleghany Highlands Web Store and Small Business Support
    • Corridor Curb Appeal, Gateway and Main Street Enhancement
    • Community Landscaping and Destination Gardens
    • Alleghany Highlands Industrial Heritage and Technology Discovery Center

Special consideration will be given to applications that demonstrate the ability to leverage Foundation funding with public and other ongoing financial support. The Foundation seeks to be a catalyst for projects but not to supplant other public or private funding sources.

Proposal

The Alleghany Foundation is accepting applications year-round.  Interested applicants should complete the Foundation’s electronic application process.

Foundation-Initiated Grants

The Foundation may itself initiate grants to an organization that reflects the board’s particular interest in an area it believes requires additional focus to better serve the community. Potential grantees must meet all Foundation guidelines and requirements.

Grantmaking Process

When the Foundation receives an application, it is initially reviewed by Foundation staff to determine whether it conforms to the Foundation’s guidelines and whether it appears to contain adequate information. In some cases, staff may request additional information. Submitted applications become the property of The Alleghany Foundation.

All communications with the Foundation should be directed to the executive director or Foundation staff. Applicants are discouraged from contacting individual Directors, either before or after a grant application has been made and acted upon.  In some cases, the Directors may ask for additional information or for a site visit.  Decisions about awards are communicated by email or in writing within three months of the time the application is submitted.

Priority in decision-making is given to applications that advance the work of the Foundation’s focus areas and key strategies as explained in the Strategic Plan available on our website. Applicants need to keep in mind that almost every application the Foundation receives is meritorious. Because of the number of such requests, the Foundation must pick and choose; therefore, many worthy requests must be declined. In some cases, requests may be declined because of timing, and applicants should not be discouraged from future requests. And, in any event, applicants should understand that rejection of a proposal is not a rejection of the proposer.

Grant Reporting

The Foundation requires a status report for all approved projects on a quarterly basis (March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31) until the project has been completed.  A final status report on how the work progressed and documenting the final overall cost of the project and use of funds received is due upon completion of the project.

Foundation Background

The Alleghany Foundation is a private foundation that came about as a result of the sale of a community non-profit hospital to a for-profit hospital. The Alleghany Foundation is a Virginia nonstock corporation exempt from income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is managed by a Board of Directors, all the members of which are residents of the community. The Foundation’s ongoing purpose is to provide financial support that primarily benefits worthy activities in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia.