Henrico's 'HEART' initiative invites nonprofits to apply for second round of Community Impact Grants

Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team, or HEART, is inviting nonprofit organizations to apply for the second round of grants to support projects that promote environmental sustainability in Henrico County. 

Applications for funding through the Community Impact Grants Program may be submitted online through Wednesday, Nov. 26. HEART representatives will review the applications for compliance with program requirements. Grant awards of up to $5,000 are expected to be announced in the spring.

HEART launched the grants program in fall 2024 with funding approved by the Henrico Board of Supervisors. In April, HEART awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,400 to eight organizations. The projects included pollinator gardens, cycling events and a community garden training event. 

“The Community Impact Grants Program aims to inspire and empower residents and organizations to look closely at their neighborhoods and communities for ways to create a more resilient environment,” said Samantha Hudson, director of Henrico’s Sustainability Division. “The collective impact of even small, hyperlocal projects can be quite significant, especially when paired with all the county is doing to reduce carbon emissions and build a stronger, more sustainable community.”

With the grants program now entering its second year, HEART expects interest and the number of applications to grow. Projects eligible for funding could include but are not limited to:

• neighborhood and stream cleanups;
• green space and recreation improvements and equipment;
• youth programs and education;
• active transportation equipment and signage;
• community gardens, farms and native plantings;
• tree plantings and shade structures to mitigate heat; 
• invasive species removal and management projects; and
• job and workforce training for environmental sustainability.

 To be eligible for funding through the Community Impact Grants Program, nonprofit organizations must:

• provide services to Henrico residents that are related to environmental sustainability;
• demonstrate a link between their work and HEART;
• apply with all required documents; and
• provide a scope of work, budget and timeline for their project.