The Ben Conley Charitable & Education Foundation concentrates its giving exclusively on higher education, with both recorded grants going to James Madison University. The foundation appears to be focused on supporting university-level programs or institutional needs rather than a broad mix of charities, and gives within Virginia though through a single institutional partner. Its small, targeted portfolio suggests donor-directed support for a specific university relationship.
Highly concentrated: very small portfolio with repeat grants to a single recipient (James Madison University), indicating donor-directed, institution-specific support rather than diversified grantmaking.
The Ben Conley Charitable & Education Foundation’s grant history is anchored by repeated support for James Madison University, including a $21,000 grant in 2025 and a $17,500 grant in 2024. That relationship sits at the center of a compact Virginia portfolio that also includes local youth, health, food, and library organizations. The foundation’s latest grants show a pattern of education-centered giving that reaches from Harrisonburg to Kilmarnock and nearby communities in the Northern Neck. Across the recent grants list, the foundation funded both colleges and community-serving groups. Boys and Girls Club received multiple grants in Kilmarnock, including awards of $15,100 in 2024 and $15,000 in 2026, while Northern Neck YMCA also appears repeatedly with gifts in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Virginia Wesleyan University, Christopher Newport University, Randolph Macon College, Virginia Commonwealth University, Radford University, and the University of Lynchburg also appear in the record, showing a steady emphasis on higher education alongside local nonprofit support. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations through scholarship and charitable grant programs tied to Lancaster and Northumberland counties.
Education is the clearest throughline in the foundation’s recent grantmaking. James Madison University received $10,500 in 2023, $17,500 in 2024, and $21,000 in 2025, showing repeated institutional support. Virginia Wesleyan University also appears twice, with $14,000 in 2025 and $7,000 in 2024, while Christopher Newport University received $7,000 in both 2023 and 2024. The foundation also backs local youth and community services. Boys and Girls Club in Kilmarnock received $15,100 in 2024, $12,000 in 2025, and $15,000 in 2026 for safety and education. Northern Neck YMCA appears with health grants of $15,000 in 2023, $10,000 in 2024, $10,000 in 2025, and $10,000 in 2026. Food access is another visible area, with Healthy Harvest Food Bank in Warsaw receiving $8,000 in 2025 and $8,000 in 2026.
Typical grant size is tightly clustered: the p25, median, and p75 are $3,500, $3,500, and $7,000. The recent record shows repetition across multiple years, especially for education and community partners, rather than one-off gifts. The foundation funds individuals and nonprofits, and its active programs include scholarship and charitable grant categories. One program accepts unsolicited applications annually for nonprofits serving Lancaster and Northumberland counties, while another scholarship program serves graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students in those two counties.
$142K
$2.6M
$186K
$175K
Most grants fall between $4K and $7K, with a median of $4K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$4K
75th Percentile
$7K
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Notable grantees: James Madison University
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly in Virginia, with 82% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and the top giving state also listed as VA. Recent recipient cities include Harrisonburg, Kilmarnock, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Ashland, Richmond, Lynchburg, and Warsaw. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 107 grants in the United States and none recorded outside the country.
The recent grants list shows a strong emphasis on education and local community services. James Madison University, Virginia Wesleyan University, Christopher Newport University, Randolph Macon College, Virginia Commonwealth University, Radford University, and the University of Lynchburg all appear, along with Boys and Girls Club, Northern Neck YMCA, food banks, and a local free clinic.
Yes. Its active programs include an Educational Assistance Program for graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students residing in Lancaster and Northumberland counties, Virginia. The foundation also states that it funds individuals.
The grant-size distribution is concentrated at smaller awards: p25 is $3,500, median is $3,500, and p75 is $7,000. Recent grants include several awards at those levels, along with larger education and community grants.
The foundation’s scope is listed as local, and 82% of grants go to recipients in Virginia. Recent grants are concentrated in Virginia cities such as Kilmarnock, Harrisonburg, Virginia Beach, Newport News, Ashland, Richmond, Lynchburg, and Warsaw.
Yes. The Educational Assistance Program accepts unsolicited applications, and the Charitable Grants and Charitable Grants (Nonprofit Grants) programs also accept unsolicited applications, with annual applications noted for nonprofit grants serving Lancaster and Northumberland counties.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Ben Conley Charitable & Education Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations must enhance or improve the health, education, or community welfare of citizens of Lancaster or Northumberland Counties, Virginia. Specific eligibility requirements are not provided in the scraped content.
Deadline: Applications accepted until April 15 each year.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | KILMARNOCK, VA | $15,000 | 2026 | SAFETY, EDUCATION |
| JAMES MADISON | HARRISONBURG, VA | $10,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| NORTHERN NECK YMCA | KILMARNOCK, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | HEALTH |
| HEALTHY FOOD HARVEST | WARSAW, VA | $8,000 | 2026 | FOOD BANK |
| LANCASTER VA EDUCATION FD | KILMARNOCK, VA | $8,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| LANCASTER COUNTY YOUTH CLUB | KILMARNOCK, VA | $8,000 | 2026 | YOUTH SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG | LYNCHBURG, VA | $7,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIV | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $7,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| LANCASTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY | KILMARNOCK, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| NORTHERN NECK FREE HEALTH CLINIC | KILMARNOCK, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | HEALTH CLINIC |
| LANCASTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY | LANCASTER, VA | $4,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CHARITIES 1000 AND BELOW | KILMARNOCK, VA | $3,750 | 2026 | VARIOUS |
| SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY | WINCHESTER, VA | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| MONTANA UNIVERSITY | MISSOULA, MT | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY | BOCA RATON, FL | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY | PETERSBURG, VA | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY | HIGH POINT, NC | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE | ASHLAND, VA | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL | DURHAM, NC | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY | NORFOLK, VA | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE, NC | $3,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| THE LINK | KILMARNOCK, VA | $3,000 | 2026 | EMERGENCY SERVICES |
| MACORP | HEATHSVILLE, VA | $3,000 | 2026 | ADVOCACY PROGRAM |
| THE HAVEN | WARSAW, VA | $3,000 | 2026 | HUMANITARIAN |
| MORATTICO BAPTIST CHURCH | KILMARNOCK, VA | $2,750 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| THE BAY CENTER | KILMARNOCK, VA | $2,000 | 2026 | ELDERLY SUPPORT |
| WICOMICO BAPTIST CHURCH | WICOMICO, VA | $2,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $21,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIV | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $14,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | KILMARNOCK, VA | $12,000 | 2025 | SAFETY, EDUCATION |
| NORTHERN NECK YMCA | KILMARNOCK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| HEALTHY HARVEST FOOD BANK | WARSAW, VA | $8,000 | 2025 | FOOD BANK |
| LANCASTER VA EDUCATION FD | KILMARNOCK, VA | $6,400 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LANCASTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY | LANCASTER, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LANCASTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY | KILMARNOCK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NORTHERN NECK FREE HEALTH CLINIC | KILMARNOCK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTH CLINIC |
| NORTHERN NECK LAND CONSERV | LANCASTER, VA | $4,000 | 2025 | CONSERVANCY |
| HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY | HIGH POINT, NC | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG | LYNCHBURG, VA | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL | DURHAM, NC | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WOFFORD COLLEGE | SPARTANBURG, SC | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MONTANA UNIVERSITY | MISSOULA, MT | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CHOWAN UNIVERSITY | MURFREESBORO, NC | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE, NC | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| COLLEGE OF WILLIAM MARY | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| AMERICAN MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC | NEW YORK, NY | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY | PETERSBURG, VA | $3,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
JAMES MADISON
$10,500EDUCATION
HEALTHY FOOD HARVEST
$8,000FOOD BANK
LANCASTER VA EDUCATION FD
$8,000EDUCATION
LANCASTER COUNTY YOUTH CLUB
$8,000YOUTH SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG
$7,000EDUCATION
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIV
$7,000EDUCATION
LANCASTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$5,000EDUCATION
NORTHERN NECK FREE HEALTH CLINIC
$5,000HEALTH CLINIC
LANCASTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$4,000EDUCATION
CHARITIES 1000 AND BELOW
$3,750VARIOUS
MONTANA UNIVERSITY
$3,500EDUCATION
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
$3,500EDUCATION
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$3,500EDUCATION
RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE
$3,500EDUCATION
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
$3,500EDUCATION
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
$3,500EDUCATION
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$3,500EDUCATION
THE LINK
$3,000EMERGENCY SERVICES
MACORP
$3,000ADVOCACY PROGRAM
THE HAVEN
$3,000HUMANITARIAN
MORATTICO BAPTIST CHURCH
$2,750RELIGIOUS
THE BAY CENTER
$2,000ELDERLY SUPPORT
WICOMICO BAPTIST CHURCH
$2,000RELIGIOUS
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
$21,000EDUCATION
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIV
$14,000EDUCATION
LANCASTER VA EDUCATION FD
$6,400EDUCATION
LANCASTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$5,000EDUCATION
LANCASTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$5,000EDUCATION
NORTHERN NECK FREE HEALTH CLINIC
$5,000HEALTH CLINIC
NORTHERN NECK LAND CONSERV
$4,000CONSERVANCY
UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG
$3,500EDUCATION
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
$3,500EDUCATION
MONTANA UNIVERSITY
$3,500EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$3,500EDUCATION
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$3,500EDUCATION
COLLEGE OF WILLIAM MARY
$3,500EDUCATIONAL
AMERICAN MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC
$3,500EDUCATION
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$3,500EDUCATION