We Bring Neighbors Together

The East Beach Institute is an independent, nonprofit dedicated to community development across Ocean View neighborhoods in Norfolk, Virginia. We bring neighbors together to enrich and sustain our Ocean View family life and culture, a community shaped by the miles-long natural beauty of our Chesapeake Bay beachfront.

Once also known as the East Beach Foundation, the Institute had been largely focused on funding cultural life and social events within the East Beach neighborhood.

In 2019, the Institute figuratively crossed Shore Drive that fronts East Beach to begin to expand our reach and value to the entire Ocean View community with more than $17,000 in grants.  This was three-times the amount of grants funded by the Institute in its previous 12 years.

As a well-funded, 501(c)(3) organization, our plan is to sustain this level of grants year-over-year.  See our latest, publicly-available IRS Form 990. 

We generate year-round revenue for grants from those who also value the sustainability of Ocean View – businesses, other philanthropic organizations, and individuals.  East Beach homeowners contribute a transfer fee upon the sale of their homes, according to the East Beach Book of Operating Principles, Chapter 5.2 Assessments. 

This revenue is annually aggregated into an available pool of funds.  The Institute only accepts applications for grants over a two-month period beginning each November.  Our Board of Directors awards annual grants the following February to our Partners: other nonprofits or programs on the southside of Hampton Roads that best fulfill our Mission across one or more of our goals:

• Philanthropy endeavors around Ocean View.
• Enrichment of Ocean View through the arts and education.
• Engagement within the Ocean View community. 

Read the stories that frame Our Goals for Ocean View.  They speak to the value of Ocean View neighbors working together, crossing streets to help remove the invisible barriers that separate us, keep us apart.