Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Amateur Sports Grants

The Benjamin R. Altshuler Memorial Fund Amateur Sports Grants is a funding opportunity offered through the Williamsburg Community Foundation to support amateur youth sports programs. The fund places a preference on wrestling but is open to other sports that are not widely available to the public, excluding baseball, basketball, and football. Softball is an exception and remains eligible for funding. This grant program seeks to enable participation in athletic programs by youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity, particularly focusing on sports that are less mainstream or underfunded. Eligible programs must be located within the Foundation's defined service area, which includes New Kent County, Charles City County, James City County, York County, Poquoson, Newport News, Hampton, and Isle of Wight County. Public school teams, nonprofit sports organizations, and wrestling clubs are eligible applicants. However, each school is limited to funding for one team per year. For-profit sports programs and non-wrestling club sports are ineligible. While private schools may apply, they are deprioritized in the selection process. Grants may be used to fund scholarships for players, pay for officials, and purchase equipment and uniforms. However, funds may not be used for hotel accommodations, travel expenses, or salaries for coaches. Emphasis is placed on supporting children and youth from low to moderate income backgrounds. The maximum grant award is $2,500. An organization may receive grants for up to three consecutive years and then must wait at least one year before reapplying. The grant application deadline is September 21, 2025, with awards being disbursed in November of the same year. All applicants are required to submit a report within one year detailing the use of the grant funds and outcomes achieved. Failure to submit a timely report disqualifies the organization from future applications unless an extension is approved. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the Foundation’s broader grantmaking vision, the uniqueness of the project, the capacity of the organization to implement the project, and past performance with WCF grants. Additional consideration is given to applications serving underserved populations. The Williamsburg Community Foundation verifies applicant eligibility through IRS and GuideStar records and does not typically award grants for recurring expenses or unspecified uses. For any eligibility questions, applicants are encouraged to contact the Williamsburg Community Foundation office directly at 757-259-1660. The office is located at 1323 Jamestown Road, Suite 103, Williamsburg, VA 23185, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.