make a charitible impact
The Serve and Stay Fredericksburg Fund
The Serve and Stay Fredericksburg Fund was established to strengthen Fredericksburg's workforce by helping the people who serve our community establish roots within it.
A thriving city depends on strong schools, reliable public safety services, and a talented local workforce. Yet rising housing costs have made it increasingly difficult for many teachers, first responders, municipal employees, and other public-serving professionals to live in the community they support every day.
Serve and Stay is a workforce recruitment and retention initiative designed to address that challenge. By providing targeted housing assistance at key transition points, the Fund helps essential employees overcome barriers to living in Fredericksburg and encourages long-term community connection and stability.
This initiative is not intended to solve housing affordability broadly. Instead, it focuses on strengthening the institutions that support Fredericksburg's economic vitality by helping attract and retain the people who educate our children, respond to emergencies, deliver public services, and contribute to the quality of life that makes Fredericksburg a great place to live and work.
By investing in the Serve and Stay Fund, donors are investing in Fredericksburg's workforce, its public institutions, and its long-term economic competitiveness.
Current Donors
Make a Gift
Your contribution helps strengthen Fredericksburg's future by supporting the recruitment and retention of the professionals who serve our community every day.
Together, we can help those who serve Fredericksburg build their lives in Fredericksburg.
Serve Here. Stay Here.
To contribute to this fund, simply click Donate to This Fund.
Donations may also be mailed to:
The Community Foundation
The Serve and Stay Fredericksburg Fund
PO Box 208
Fredericksburg, VA 22404-0208
Please make your check payable to:
The Serve and Stay Fredericksburg Fund
Grant Opportunities
Please review The Community Foundation’s overall grant guidelines by visiting our Grant Guidelines page.
Please refer to the Competitive Grant Opportunities page for important dates for all our competitive grantmaking.
For support in designing a proposal that makes best use of available grant funds, we encourage you to contact Director of Donor Services, Casey Hu (casey.hu@cfrrr.org) or 540-373-9292 x123.
In addition to The Community Foundation’s overall grant guidelines, details for this fund include:
Available Assistance:
Home Purchase Assistance
Eligible applicants may receive up to:
$6,500 toward a mortgage rate buy-down (maximum one discount point) associated with the purchase of a primary residence within the City of Fredericksburg.
Rental Assistance
Eligible applicants may receive up to:
$4,500 for security deposits and/or first month's rent associated with a lease within the City of Fredericksburg.
Who May Apply?
Applicants must:
✓ Be currently employed by or have accepted employment with:
- The City of Fredericksburg, or
- Fredericksburg City Public Schools
✓ Be in good standing with their employer
✓ Intend to remain employed for at least twelve (12) months
✓ Purchase or lease a residence within the City of Fredericksburg (ZIP Code 22401)
✓ Use the property as their primary residence
✓ Meet household income eligibility requirements
Income Eligibility
- Total household income must not exceed 80% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Area Median Income (AMI) for the Fredericksburg area, adjusted for household size and in effect at the time of application.
Priority Occupations
While all eligible City and Fredericksburg City Public Schools employees may apply, priority consideration is given to:
- First Responders (Police, Fire, EMS)
- Teachers
- Instructional-focused School Employees
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are reviewed using a standardized scoring system designed to advance the program's workforce recruitment and retention goals.
Points are awarded based on:
Workforce Priority
Priority is given to occupations that have significant workforce recruitment and retention needs.
Recruitment & Retention Impact
Preference is given to:
- New hires relocating to Fredericksburg
- Existing employees relocating to Fredericksburg
- Current Fredericksburg residents meeting program objectives
Housing Readiness
Applicants receive additional consideration when housing documentation demonstrates that a lease signing or home purchase is actively underway. Applicants must achieve the minimum qualifying score established by the program to be considered for funding. Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding. Awards are subject to funding availability.
Application Review Timeline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to available funding. Applicants can generally expect a funding decision within:
Two (2) weeks of submission of a complete application package. Incomplete applications may delay review.
Questions?
For program questions or assistance completing an application, please contact:
The Community Foundation
Casey Hu, Director of Donor Services
540-373-9292. extension 123
casey.hu@cfrrr.org
About Funds for Nonprofit Organizations
Regional nonprofits establish named endowment funds through The Community Foundation as a way to strengthen and grow fundraising efforts for their mission and to ensure sustainable long-term operating or program support.
The Community Foundation takes on the challenges of efficient and effective endowed fund management, enabling area nonprofits to fully concentrate on their mission.