NORFOLK, Va. — Nonprofits looking to make a difference in their community and in need of a financial boost may be eligible for Dominion Energy's Charitable Foundation Fall Grant.
The energy giant is offering grants to nonprofits whose organizations are defined as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
Cherise Newsome with Dominion Energy said the company does this every year as a way to make a real impact in their community and customers' lives.
"This past spring, Dominion's Charitable Foundation awarded over $4 million dollars to non-profits across Virginia, and in Virginia close to $3 million dollars went to 200 nonprofit organizations," said Newsome.
Nonprofits who apply can have a wide range of services such as arts, education, and environmental endeavors. Organization size is not a factor.
However, participating nonprofits must be active within the service area of Dominion Energy, including both Virginia and North Carolina.
"Dominion serves 4 and a half million customers in 13 states, and so we want to make sure that we are impacting the communities that we serve," said Newsome.
Tasha Turnbull, executive director of T2 Fitness Foundation, was one of the organizations who has benefited from the grant in past years.
Turnbull said the T2 Fitness Foundation is a 501(c)3 that was created to empower and equip high-risk individuals with the necessary skills and strategies to inexpensively lead a permanently healthier lifestyle.
Her organizations works mostly with people who have heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Turnbull received $2,500 in a grant from Dominion, and Turnbull said this allowed her organization to offer free cooking classes to those in her program.
"The participants will receive the groceries at their workout and they will take them home and they will cook with the chef from their home," said Turnbull. "We want to have people understand that healthy eating, healthy living takes place at home."
Newsome said supporting organizations like T2 Fitness is why the grant was started in the first place.
For those looking to apply for Dominion Energy's Charitable Foundation fall grants, you can go to their website. All applications must be submitted by Sept. 12.