Centra is committed to improving the overall health in the communities and regions we serve by funding projects and sponsoring events that address community health needs outside of our healthcare system.
Our approach
As a major economic force in central and southern Virginia, Centra is committed to supporting projects of regional importance which address our communities’ economic, social and community development needs.
To maximize the impact of Centra’s community contributions, we have created a user-friendly online application portal, for use by any organization requesting funding from Centra, whether a grant or a sponsorship. All applicants will be asked to create a login and submit their requests online.
Organizations requesting funding must be a legal entity that is tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) or another non-profit as relevant to Centra’s funding priorities and not a private foundation as described under Section 509(a).
Projects that take place outside of Centra’s service areas will not be considered. Centra’s service areas include the cities/towns of Bedford, Danville, Farmville, and Lynchburg, and the counties of Amelia, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway, Pittsylvania or Prince Edward.
The following requests are among those that will not be considered for support:
Biomedical or clinical research
Conference or symposium fees
Debt reduction
Endowments
Organizations that discriminate based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.
Individuals
Political campaigns, candidates or partisan activities
Projects with a religious purpose
Scholarships
League sports
School-based programs such as athletics, band, chorus and theater
To view the sponsorship applications guidelines and template and submit your application, please click the “Sponsorship Application” link above. Sponsorship applications are reviewed and awarded during three cycles
In 2020, Centra moved its community grant giving from the Centra Foundation to Centra’s Department of Community Health. The dollars that are used for these funding opportunities come directly from Centra as part of the Community Benefit contributions for the communities Centra serves. The Centra Foundation no longer administers or funds these grants.
Submission Deadline
Application Open
Notified By
5/15/2025
4/1/2025
9/30/2025
NOTE: We recommend using Google Chrome as your browser when submitting your grant application for optimal functionality.
Centra’s annual Community Grant* opportunity opens on April 1 2025, at 8 am and will close on May 15, 2025, at 5 pm. Notification of funding will be no later than September 30, 2025.
Mandatory Grant Training will be held onFriday, March 28, 2025 at 9am via Microsoft Teams. If you have not received an invitation to the grant training, please email Jaylin Davis at jaylin.davis@centrahealth.com
*Changes have been made to the 2025 grant application. If you are planning to apply for a Centra grant this year, please have at least one representative from your organization attend. Attendance is mandatory.
Priorities
Understandably, Centra is unable to fund the multitudes of requests it receives. Centra Board policy gives priority to funding sponsorships and grants that address the needs identified in the most recent Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) for each of Centra’s service areas. Centra also supports projects of regional importance which address our communities’ economic, social and community development needs.
Prioritized needs by region from the 2024 CHNA include:
Bedford
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders & Access to Services
Access to Healthcare Services
Food Insecurity and Nutrition
Issues Impacting Children and their Families
Childcare
Child Abuse/Neglect
Homelessness and Housing
Transportation
Aging and Eldercare
Dental Care and Dental Problems
Coordination of Resources and Community Outreach
Chronic Disease
Farmville
Access to Healthcare Services
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders & Access to Services
Food Insecurity and Nutrition
Homelessness and Housing
Transportation
Aging and Eldercare
Issues Impacting Children and their Families
Childcare
Child Abuse/Neglect
Employment and Job Assistance
Financial Stability and Assistance
Chronic Disease
Lynchburg
Access to Healthcare Services
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders & Access to Services