Best Women's Programs in Virginia — 16 resources

About Women's Programs for Women

Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.

Women's Programs in Virginia

Virginia has Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts handling custody, visitation, and child support (for unmarried parents and modifications), plus Circuit Courts handling divorce. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under DSS. Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Richmond, Arlington, and Alexandria are the largest cities. Central Virginia Legal Aid and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance serve women.

16 Resources

1. Virginia Council on Women — Free

The Virginia Council on Women at 1111 E Broad St in Richmond advises the Governor on policy affecting women — pay equity, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship. They publish the Virginia Women in Leadership report annually. (804) 786-7765 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(804) 786-7765 · 1111 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Women's Foundation of Virginia — Free

The Women's Foundation of Virginia in Richmond makes grants to nonprofits serving women and girls statewide — economic security, leadership, and education are core focus areas. Application deadlines posted annually at wfvirginia.org.

Richmond, VA · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

3. Dress for Success — Richmond — Free

Dress for Success Central Virginia at 1700 Robin Hood Rd Suite A in Richmond outfits women for interviews and the first weeks of work, plus runs the Career Center for skills coaching, computer access, and a Professional Women's Group. (804) 412-7770 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; appointment-only.

(804) 412-7770 · 1700 Robin Hood Rd Suite A, Richmond, VA 23220 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

4. YWCA of South Hampton Roads — Free

YWCA of South Hampton Roads at 6088 Indian River Rd Suite A in Virginia Beach runs domestic-violence services (24/7 hotline 757-251-0144), Women in Need Center, and racial-justice initiatives covering Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. (757) 625-4248 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(757) 625-4248 · 6088 Indian River Rd Suite A, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. YWCA of Richmond — Free

YWCA Richmond at 6 N 5th St runs the Sexual & Domestic Violence Services program, Empowerment Center, and Sprout School for working families — including the only 24/7 DV hotline in the Richmond region at (804) 612-6126. Office line (804) 643-6761.

(804) 643-6761 · 6 N 5th St, Richmond, VA 23219 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Virginia Women's Business Center — Free

Virginia has multiple SBA-funded Women's Business Centers — including the Virginia WBC at the Community Business Partnership in Springfield and others in Richmond and Hampton Roads — offering free business counseling, training, and loan-readiness coaching.

Multiple VA locations · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Girls on the Run — Virginia — Free

Girls on the Run councils serve every region of Virginia (NoVA, Richmond, Hampton Roads, Greater Charlottesville) with after-school running and life-skills programs for girls grades 3-8 culminating in a 5K. Sliding-scale fee with scholarships.

Multiple VA locations · After school programs · Visit Website

8. Northern Virginia Family Service — Free

NVFS at 10455 White Granite Dr Suite 100 in Oakton runs early childhood programs, multicultural mental health, foster care, and Hunger Resource Center serving women and families in Northern Virginia. (571) 748-2500 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; many services free or sliding-scale.

(571) 748-2500 · 10455 White Granite Dr Suite 100, Oakton, VA 22124 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

9. AAUW — American Association of University Women — Free

AAUW Virginia has 30+ branches statewide and offers Start Smart salary negotiation workshops free to Virginia women on college campuses. Their fellowships fund graduate study for women in STEM, law, and medicine.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. National Organization for Women (NOW) — Free

NOW chapters across Virginia (Northern Virginia NOW, Richmond NOW, Hampton Roads NOW) organize around reproductive rights, the Equal Rights Amendment ratification work, and workplace equity.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. League of Women Voters — Free

League of Women Voters of Virginia publishes nonpartisan voter guides, candidate forums, and the VOTE411 lookup for every Virginia election — particularly active during state legislative cycles.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. YWCA USA — Free

YWCA USA coordinates Virginia's YWCAs (Richmond, South Hampton Roads, Loudoun) on shared programs in racial-justice training, economic empowerment, and DV services.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Women's Funding Network — Free

WFN connects the Women's Foundation of Virginia with peer funders nationwide and shares gender-lens research useful for Virginia nonprofits seeking grants.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Junior League — Free

AJLI is the parent of Virginia's Junior Leagues in Richmond, Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, Roanoke, and Charlottesville — training women in voluntarism and community fundraising.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Soroptimist International — Free

Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards cash-grant women heads-of-household in financial need pursuing education. Virginia clubs in Arlington, Richmond, and Roanoke nominate at the regional level.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Zonta International — Free

Zonta International funds scholarships and vocational training grants for women worldwide; Virginia Zonta clubs in Norfolk, Roanoke, and other cities administer regional awards.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many women's programs resources are in Virginia?
Women's Corner tracks 16 women's programs resources for women in Virginia.
Are women's programs resources in Virginia free?
16 of the 16 listed women's programs resources in Virginia are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Virginia have women's programs resources?
Listings span cities including Richmond, Virginia Beach, Oakton.
What are some examples of women's programs resources in Virginia?
Featured entries include Virginia Council on Women, Women's Foundation of Virginia, Dress for Success — Richmond, YWCA of South Hampton Roads, YWCA of Richmond.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
5 of 16 Virginia women's programs listings include phone numbers.
What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?
Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.
Are there programs for single moms specifically?
Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.
Do these programs cost money?
Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.
Can I get help starting a business as a woman?
Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant (
0,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.