Benefiting Organizations & Donations:

Smithfield VA Events has donated $1,209,050 back to the community (as of the 2020 BOB Fest).  Annually, we donate over $200,000.  We work with over (60) organizations that volunteer for our events and have given funds to over (90) different charitable organizations.  Annually, SVAE has over $1 Million Dollars in economic impact.
**Note due to COVID19 set-backs from our cancelled 2020 Wine & Brew Fest and the 2020 Bacon & Bourbon Fest,  we did not open up applications for 2021.  Organizations that were selected for the 2020 Wine & Brew and 2020 Bacon & Bourbon will be rolled over to the 2021 events. 

COVID ALSO HAS LEFT OUR ORGANIZATION STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE.IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE & WAYS YOU CAN HELP CLICK BELOW.  
WAYS WE GIVE BACK:


It is the mission of SVAEvents to give back to our community.  We do that a multitude of ways:
 
  • Benefiting Organizations for each event
 
  • Donations on behalf of our Board Members/Superstar Volunteers
 
  • Volunteer Group Donations  - we give back to organizations that support our events thru volunteerism
 
  • Donation of our "products" (tix, tables, chalets) to other local organization to use to raise funds at their auction events
 
  • Other Special Donations including: Town's Windsor Castle Park Fund, CHIPS Send-A-Kid to Camp, the KEEP Foundation and Volunteer Fire/Rescue Associations
 
  • Upon occasion we make special donations to support various other community needs by request  

If you have a local group and want to get involved with us as a volunteer group, please contact us by email at  Volunteer@SmithfieldVAEvents.com

How to be a Benefiting Organization: 
Starting in mid-May thru August 15th each year, we take submission for the following calendar year's recipients. The Board reviews applications and make selections in the fall.  In October at the Bacon & Bourbon Check Presentation, the next year's recipients are officially announced. 

​Scroll down to next section on this page for application info and more details. 
CHECK RECEPTIONS:
After each event we hold a check presentation reception at the Smithfield Center and give away all the money.  It is a great gathering of lots of non-profits, charitable organizations and civic clubs.  

By bringing everyone together, many groups have developed relationships with others and have been able to partner/network on community projects. 

See the Volunteer Tab for calendar of events with all check presentation dates.  
This picture was from our MILLION DOLLAR MAY CELEBRATION held after the 2019 Wine & Brew Festival. 
As part of the Million Dollar celebration, we also had fest attendees, volunteers, board members and sponsors participated in a special tribute video.  

Benefiting Organizations Application Info: 

$5,000 or $10,000 Awards
Purpose:

The purpose of selecting benefiting organizations by Smithfield VA Events (SVAE) is to help local organizations improve, expand and/or initiate programs and/or services that benefit the Smithfield/Isle of Wight Community. 

The anticipated donation amount is either $5000 or $10,000 to each pre-selected Benefiting Organization.  The Board will determine the number of annual recipients and from which of our three events the donation will be made.  We hold (3) annual events in January, April and October each year.  Checks are presented at the Check Presentation & Volunteer Reception usually held about (3) weeks after an event.

Although the intended amount is either $5000 or  $10,000, the final amount to each organization is dependent on the financial success of the event.

We also make donations to many other groups who support our efforts by​ volunteering at our events. 
PAST SUBMISSION PROCESS & TIMELINE: 

Submission accepted via email ONLY.

NORMALLY OPENS IN MID-MAY WITH DEADLINE OF MIDNIGHT ON AUG 15TH EACH YEAR

Please read Eligibility Criteria on this page and then if you would like to apply click on all (3) buttons below for instructions, application questions and SVAE Board Scoring.

It is recommended you review all info about applying and scoring criteria prior to filling out your application. 

PLEASE NOTE THE INFO/INSTRUCTIONS AND APPLICATION BELOW ARE FROM LAST YEAR AND ARE ONLY LISTED HERE AS SAMPLES.  

Questions:
Contact  Gina Ippolito at:
Email: Gina@SmithfieldVAEvents.com
Phone:  757-869-0664
Check out past recipients! 
Eligibility Criteria
  • Organizations that service or have a significant benefit for Smithfield and Isle of Wight County.  Organizations can be from outside the local area, but must demonstrate substantial benefit to residents of Smithfield/Isle of Wight County. 

  • The organization must benefit the targeted community as a whole. Awards are not made for a single scholarship fund, a single travel sport team, or a single specific person.  

  • The donation must have a demonstrated significant impact for the organization.

  • The grant cannot be used for annual operating expenses, used for lobbying the government, or engagement in legislative or political activity.

  • The grant should be used for new or expanding projects, equipment, program supplies or in support of programs and services with an identifiable benefit for the targeted community.
​
  • Donations can be given to organizations, including but not restricted to community/social/civic groups, service clubs and school Parent Advisory Councils, parent/teacher groups, cultural groups, community sports leagues, and environmental organizations. The organization must be an identifiable non-profit/charitable organization and TAX ID # and type of charitable/non-profit organization will need to be provided.

  • Capital projects will be considered. The project must have a demonstrated impact and must be sustainable by the organization.

  • Organizations must show the specific use for the funds by their own organizations.  Submissions that are a direct “pass-thru” for donations to another organization are not eligible. For example, your organization wants to fund a children's educational summer program at the local museum, but your organization is NOT GOING TO ADMINISTER or run the program, you are just going to give the money to the museum, and they will run the program.  You would just be a "pass-thru".  The Museum is welcome to make an application themselves for the summer educational program. 

  • Organizations that have received grants in the past can apply again. The selection criteria will include a weighting toward those organizations that have not yet received funds.

  • The organization must have demonstrated leadership and sustained continuity.
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  • Please note:  If your organization is a benefiting for a specific event, and your organization also volunteers, we will still count your hours and pay you with a separate check for your volunteer group from the event.