FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions we receive from prospective applicants, current grantees, and community partners about the Edmund Cheney Foundation’s programs, eligibility criteria, and grantmaking process.

Who is eligible to apply for Edmund Cheney Foundation grants?

Eligibility varies by program. Historic Preservation, Community Infrastructure, and Emergency Relief grants are available to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, municipal and county governments, and accredited educational institutions operating within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Arts and Culture Micro-Grants are additionally open to individual artists and informal creative collectives based in Virginia. STEM Education Scholarships are available to individuals who are either current Virginia residents or enrolled at accredited Virginia institutions, regardless of state of permanent residence. We do not fund private businesses, political campaigns, religious proselytization, or organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

What are the current application deadlines for each program?

Our program deadlines are staggered throughout the year. STEM Education Scholarships and the first round of Historic Preservation Grants share a March 15 deadline. The second Historic Preservation round closes September 1. Arts and Culture Micro-Grants close May 1 annually. Community Infrastructure Grants are reviewed quarterly on a rolling basis, with review dates falling on the first business day of January, April, July, and October. Emergency Community Relief applications are accepted continuously and processed within 72 hours of a qualifying event declaration. We strongly recommend submitting applications at least two weeks before the published deadline to allow time for our staff to request any missing documentation.

How much funding can I request from the foundation?

Award amounts vary significantly by program. Historic Preservation Grants range from $25,000 to $285,000 depending on project scope, preservation urgency, and the applicant’s demonstrated capacity for long-term stewardship. STEM Scholarships provide up to $7,500 per academic year, renewable for up to four years of continuous enrollment. Community Infrastructure Grants range from $15,000 to $200,000. Arts and Culture Micro-Grants range from $500 to $5,000. Emergency Relief disbursements are variable and determined by the severity and geographic scope of the qualifying event. All programs consider the applicant’s ability to leverage foundation funds with matching contributions from other sources.

Does the foundation require matching funds from applicants?

Matching funds are not formally required for any program, but applications that demonstrate leveraged funding from other sources receive priority consideration during the Grants Committee review process. For Historic Preservation Grants exceeding $100,000, we strongly encourage applicants to identify at least a 1:1 match from state historic tax credits, federal preservation incentives, local government contributions, or other private foundation support. Community Infrastructure applicants are expected to secure a formal resolution of support from their local governing body. STEM Scholarships and Arts Micro-Grants do not require matching funds, though we note any additional financial support in the evaluation.

How long does the review process take from application to notification?

All applicants receive an acknowledgment email within five business days of submission confirming that their application has been received and is complete. The substantive review process varies by program. STEM Scholarship decisions are announced within 60 days of the March 15 deadline. Historic Preservation and Community Infrastructure decisions are typically communicated within 90 days, as these programs require a Grants Committee site visit for applications exceeding $100,000. Arts Micro-Grant decisions are announced within 45 days. Emergency Relief applications are processed within 72 hours of authorization by the Board of Trustees. If additional information or documentation is needed, our staff will contact the applicant directly; requests for supplementary materials do not negatively affect the evaluation.

What reporting obligations do grantees have after receiving an award?

All grantees are required to submit periodic progress reports documenting the use of foundation funds and the outcomes achieved. Historic Preservation and Community Infrastructure grantees submit semi-annual progress reports during the project period and a final completion report with photographic documentation within 90 days of project conclusion. STEM Scholarship recipients submit annual academic progress reports including transcripts, a brief narrative of their academic and community engagement activities, and verification of continued enrollment. Arts Micro-Grant recipients submit a brief completion report with photographs within 60 days. All grantees must retain financial records related to the grant for a minimum of seven years and make them available for audit upon request. Failure to submit timely reports may result in suspension of disbursements or ineligibility for future awards.

Can I apply for more than one program simultaneously?

Yes, applicants may submit applications to multiple program tracks simultaneously, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each program and the proposed projects are distinct. For example, a nonprofit organization could apply for both a Historic Preservation Grant for a building restoration project and a Community Infrastructure Grant for a related public access improvement, as long as the budgets do not overlap and each application can stand independently. Individual students may apply for the STEM Scholarship and the Arts Micro-Grant if they have separate qualifying projects. However, the Grants Committee evaluates all pending applications from the same applicant in context, and total foundation exposure to any single grantee is generally limited to $350,000 in any rolling three-year period.

Are grants from the Edmund Cheney Foundation taxable?

Grants made to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and educational institutions are generally not taxable to the recipient organization, as they are considered gifts for public benefit under Internal Revenue Code Section 170. However, individual scholarship recipients should be aware that scholarship funds used for expenses other than qualified tuition, fees, and course-related materials (such as room, board, and transportation) may be considered taxable income under IRS rules. The foundation issues Form 1099 or Form W-2 as required by federal tax law. We strongly recommend that all grantees consult with a qualified tax advisor regarding the tax implications of their specific award. The foundation does not provide tax advice.

Does the foundation accept unsolicited proposals or only respond to its own RFPs?

The Edmund Cheney Foundation accepts unsolicited applications through our standard intake process for all five program areas. We do not issue formal Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for most programs, as we believe the most impactful projects are those initiated by the communities they serve rather than prescribed by funders. The exception is our Emergency Community Relief program, which is activated by the Board of Trustees in response to specific qualifying events and follows an expedited process. We also occasionally issue targeted calls for proposals when our Grants Committee identifies a specific preservation emergency or community need that warrants proactive outreach. These targeted calls are posted on our website and distributed to our email subscriber list.

How is the foundation funded, and does it accept donations?

The Edmund Cheney Foundation is primarily funded through its permanent endowment, which was established by founder Edmund R. Cheney in 1987 and augmented by a substantial bequest from his estate in 2002. Current endowment assets exceed $18 million, managed by an independent investment committee under the supervision of Treasurer Robert M. Cheney. The foundation’s annual grantmaking budget is derived from endowment income and a prudent spending policy that ensures long-term sustainability. We do accept tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, families, and organizations that share our mission. Donations can be directed to the general endowment or designated for a specific program area. For information about planned giving, donor-advised fund transfers, or naming opportunities, please contact our office at (804) 555-0173 or [email protected].

Still Have Questions?

Our Grants Office is available Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, to answer questions about eligibility, application requirements, and program details.