Focus Area Grants:	FOCUS AREA GRANTS are for projects that meet the criteria referenced in the Virginia Law Foundation’s Vision Statement that will require significant financial resources. Focus area projects may be multi-year projects with a specifically tailored timeline. The VLF Vision Statement is available for review at www.virginialawfoundation.org/vision.htm
Geographic Area Served:	Virginia Law Foundation grants are available to support projects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Grant Eligibility:	Applicants that seek funding from the Virginia Law Foundation must be: an organization holding 501(c)(3) tax-exemption status; or an applicant for federal tax-exemption under IRS section 501(c)(3) [awards funded after tax-exempt status is conferred]; or an organization that is exempt from taxation pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code other than section 501(c)(3) and/or which engages in activities consistent with the purposes of the Virginia Law Foundation
How to apply:	The VLF Focus Area Project Proposal application form (and instructions) is available for download here. VLF Focus Area Project Proposal (in Word format) VLF Focus Area Project Proposal (in PDF format)
We will not fund:	Capital expenditures; Duplicate or overlapping services; Costs of receptions, alcoholic beverages, entertainment, or fundraising events; Partisan political activities; Projects intended to influence legislation or regulatory agencies; Projects supported by institutions of learning that are part of their curriculum or do not involve and serve a significant non-student population; Programs sponsored by government agencies that are properly part of the agency’s regular activity; Deficits in programs that were not previously funded by the Foundation; and Honorariums and/or speaker fees.
Deadline:	VLF Focus Area Project Proposals may be submitted for consideration at any time between July 1 and March 31 so long as the application period has not closed. The application period will close when all available funds have been awarded or March 31, whichever comes first. Each funding proposal must be submitted utilizing a VLF Focus Area Project Proposal form. Applicants must adhere to the format and instructions set forth in the instructions.
Inquiries:	Interested focus area applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Sharon Tatum, VLF Executive Director, to discuss a potential focus area project prior to submitting a VLF Focus Area Project Proposal. Virginia Law Foundation 600 E. Main Street, Suite 2040 Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: (804) 648-0112
Applicant Organization:	Focus Area projects may be a collaborative effort of multiple organizations, but only one organization shall be designated to administer the project effort and receive and report on the use of VLF grant funds. The organization administering the project must meet the eligibility requirements referenced above. The VLF Board intends to review and respond, within 120 days, to each Focus Area Project Proposal received. An invitation to submit a proposal or a Virginia Law Foundation request for additional information regarding any application submitted does not guarantee grant approval.
Grant Status:	Reports Deadlines for Focus Area Project reporting will be tailored to the specific project. A narrative and a financial report will be required on a periodic basis until the project concludes. The narrative report shall provide an update regarding the context, grant criteria, project design criteria, and project implementation criteria as documented in the grant application. A financial report covering the expenditure of grant funds shall accompany each narrative report.