Our Grant Making
The Blocker Foundation’s grantmaking is designed to ensure our limited resources are used in ways that create meaningful and lasting impact in the communities we serve. We support organizations and initiatives that address the root causes of community challenges, strengthen local systems, and build upon existing assets. Our work prioritizes expanding access to opportunity for low-income and otherwise disadvantaged populations, with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. We also encourage communication, collaboration, and partnership among like-minded organizations to support sustainable programs and services.
To support organizations in their work, the Foundation offers both Primary Grants, which represent the majority of our grantmaking, and Discretionary Grants. Discretionary Grants are intended to address immediate or emergency needs and are awarded on a rolling basis for requests of up to $25,000. See this resource for more information on Discretionary Grants.
Our Focus Areas
- wholesome nourishment
- safe shelter
- educational opportunity
- economic opportunity
- a healthy environment
Guidelines
In an effort to support organizations in what they do best, we will consider grant requests of the following nature:
Project Grants
Funding for costs associated with specific projects that will be completed within a specified time frame.
Program Grants
Funding for activity-related costs associated with a specified program
Core Support Grants
Funding necessary for the ongoing general operations of an organization
Capital Grants
Funding for items related to land, building, and equipment acquisition or creation
The Blocker Foundation will consider grant requests for a term of no less than 12 months but not exceeding a period of 5 years. The timeline of the request should match the proposed project and be justifiable through the submission of a workplan.
Funding may not be used for:
Funding may not be used for:
- Lobbying or political programs or events
- Sectarian or religious organizations whose grant request will only benefit that organization's members
- Organizations that discriminate by race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or national origin
- Individual scholarships
- Funding that supplants existing sources of support
- Supporting Organizations as defined by the IRS
Application Process
Please call the Blocker Foundation at 757-942-2005 or email grants@theblockerfoundation.com prior to submitting any LOI/grant application. Requests for conversations after submission will not be considered. Please visit our Apply Now page to learn more about application requirements.