We Choose Hope

general
Responsive

We are here to help you be successful.

Before beginning the application process, organizations are strongly encouraged to contact a program officer and review the Harvest Foundation’s funding priorities and guidelines.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly reviews from the Grants Committee and Board of Directors.

2026 Grant Cycle Deadlines

1st Quarter Deadline — Dec. 5, 2025

2nd Quarter Deadline — March 6, 2026

3rd Quarter Deadline — July 3, 2026

4th Quarter Deadline — Oct. 2, 2026

(2027) 1st Quarter Deadline — TBA

Guidelines

Eligibility

Process

Grant Guidelines

Decisions regarding eligibility, funding approvals, and award amounts are at the sole discretion of the Foundation. Grant award decisions are contingent upon the availability of Foundation funds.

Submitted information will be assessed on factors including but not limited to:

  • scope of the request;
  • demonstration of need;
  • the organization’s mission and qualifications to carry out the project;
  • the organization’s financial capacity;
  • demonstration of program sustainability;
  • clearly defined and measurable program goals, objectives and outcomes; and
  • completeness of the application including required documents.


The Foundation welcomes and encourages organizations to share and discuss potential ideas at any time.

Please note that the Foundation reserves the right to amend these guidelines, procedures or timelines at any time.

Eligibility

To be considered eligible for support from The Harvest Foundation, an organization must be:

  • Recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 charitable organization or political subdivision eligible for charitable contribution under the Internal Revenue Code
  • Proposing a program that will directly serve the community of Martinsville and/or Henry County, Virginia
  • Proposing a program that will directly align with Harvest Foundation’s Strategic Focus & Objectives


Within The Harvest Foundation’s geographic and focus interest areas, examples of grant activities or programs that may be considered include:

  • New programs or expansion of ongoing impactful programs where there is evidence that the applicant organization will be able to continue the program beyond the period of Foundation funding;
  • Replication, within Martinsville or Henry County, of practices proven successful elsewhere that address an identified local need;
  • Research or planning to inform program or local public policy decisions;
  • Policy-related work and legislative advocacy; and
  • Collaborative efforts with other nonprofits.
The Harvest Foundation does not fund:
  • Institutions that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation;
  • Direct grants to individuals including scholarships and fellowships;
  • Programs outside the geographic boundaries of Henry County;
  • Debt reduction;
  • Sectarian religious activities or direct political lobbying;
  • Activities or programs that only serve the members of private organizations;
  • Sponsorships including fundraising events, galas, athletic teams/events; 
  • For-profit organizations;
  • Medical research;
  • Direct replacement of discontinued government support;
  • Emergency funding or extremely time sensitive requests;
  • Grants that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, are the responsibility of the government;
  • Endowment funds;
  • Grants to the Sovah Health Hospital System;
  • Requests that do not align with the Foundation’s priorities and objectives; and
  • Organizations that do not adhere to the Foundation’s application guidelines.

Process

We’re here to Help

Schedule an appointment with a program officer to discuss your ideas. Take a look at our strategic plan and funding priorities. 

Application

Complete your application using our cloud-based, grants management system. You must provide your organization’s (or fiscal sponsor’s) EIN to create an account. 

The application includes:

  • the proposal project
  • evaluation plan
  • partnerships and collaboration
  • financials
  • organizational infrastructure and capacity

Be prepared to make the case of why it is the best plan to address the need, and explain how the organization has the ability and capacity to execute the plan.

Review and
Approval Process

Review and Approval Process

Once a project application is submitted, a three-stage review process begins:

  1. Due Diligence Process by Program Staff with strong proposals recommended to the Grant Committee (subset of the Harvest Board of Directors) for review.
  2. Review by Grant Committee with strong proposals recommended to the Board of Directors for approval.
  3. Review by the Harvest Board of Directors with the final decision on funding a project application.


The Harvest Foundation Staff commits to keeping applicants continually informed throughout the Grant Application Process.