The Suffolk Foundation has announced the beginning of its competitive grant cycle for 2016.

Organizations in Suffolk and the surrounding communities that are tax exempt under the 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code are eligible to apply for a grant.

The proposed project or program must be available to or of benefit to Suffolk area residents. The foundation is interested in awarding grants to nonprofit agencies enhancing the quality of life for area citizens.

The Distribution Committee will grant funds to charitable organizations that demonstrate projects planned with respect to the community’s overall needs.

Grants may be awarded in a wide range of categories, including:

• Human Need
• Arts, Culture and Humanities
• Education
• Environment
• Health

Last year, the foundation awarded $116,500 in competitive grants to 28 deserving agencies. The foundation’s total grant value in 2015 was $426,136.00, which included scholarships and donor advised grants.

The foundation has assets of more than $5.2 million and has distributed more than $3.3 million in grants since awarding its first grants to victims of the 2008 tornado. Grant applications will be available online and may be downloaded from the foundation’s website, www.suffolkfoundation.org, or may be requested by emailing Win Winslow, executive director, at wwinslow@suffolkfoundation.org.

All applications must be completed following the grant guidelines and delivered to 106 W. Finney Ave., Suffolk, VA 23434 by 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14. For more information about the grant application process, call Winslow at 923-9090.