Virginia Pathways to Play: Play Space Activation Grants
The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) is accepting applications under RFA #852P027 for one-time grants to improve existing spaces used for physical activity by young people in eligible rural Virginia communities. This is an applicant-facing subaward under Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), Live Well Together / Active Kids initiative.
Individual award and deadline
Applicant award: up to $100,000. Applications must be submitted by October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time using the VFHY online Grants Portal. The combined funding pool for both Pathways to Play categories is up to $1,123,944; this is not the individual award limit. VFHY expects at least 15 awards across the competition. Applications opened September 24, 2026.
Eligible applicants and geographic requirements
Eligible applicants are legally organized entities in good standing and registered to do business in Virginia, including qualifying nonprofits, Tribal entities, schools or school divisions, and government agencies. For-profit organizations are ineligible. The proposed work must benefit youth living in one or more of the 76 designated rural Virginia localities listed in the RFA; the applicant’s headquarters need not be in one of those localities. Each organization may submit just one Pathways to Play application and must choose this category or Active Programming, not both. Applicants with active SAM.gov exclusions cannot receive an award. A Unique Entity Identifier is required before contracting, but not at initial application.
Allowable activities and funding restrictions
Play Space Activation grants may pay for eligible equipment, repairs, accessibility improvements, replacement and minor refurbishment of existing playgrounds, recreation centers, courts and other physical-activity spaces. New construction, major structural work, substantial site development and broadband infrastructure are not eligible. General beautification or routine upkeep unrelated to expanding physical activity are also excluded. The full RFA’s allowable/unallowable cost appendix controls specific projects. General administrative and indirect costs are not funded; pre-award costs are prohibited. No matching funds or cost share is required or requested. Payment is on a reimbursement basis after approved expenses are incurred and paid, so applicants must demonstrate ability to carry upfront costs. The grant is one-time and not renewable.
Application requirements
Apply through VFHY’s Grants Portal for Pathways to Play Grants (2027), RFA #852P027. Required information includes organizational background, project need and measurable benefit to rural youth; site address, ownership/permission and current-condition documentation; project timetable, sustainability and maintenance arrangements; youth-impact measures; budget and supporting cost evidence; key personnel and authorized-representative certification. Upload the VFHY Pathways to Play Budget Form in Excel format. Supply signed partner memoranda of agreement if partners are involved and school leadership approvals for school projects; otherwise state that no partners are involved. Selected organizations undergo federal-subaward risk review, including audit or organizational financial documents. Applicants must describe how they will secure any required permits and inspections.
Projects must finish by July 15, 2027, with final report and invoice due August 1, 2027. Post-award procurement and applicable Build America, Buy America rules may apply. Do not begin grant-funded work before contract execution.
Official application sources
VFHY official program page and application portal · Controlling 34-page RFA #852P027. Verified against official materials October 10, 2026 (Eastern Time). Applicants should check VFHY for any addenda before applying.