The Foundation’s Mission is to further the work of the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis by financially supporting and promoting their charitable works as well as works related to the healthcare, education, and human service needs of the Virginia Peninsula.
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation Inc centers its grantmaking on the charitable work of the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, with funding tied to healthcare, education, and human service needs on the Virginia Peninsula. That mission shows up in a recurring pattern of support for organizations serving vulnerable children and vulnerable elderly residents, along with operating support for local nonprofits. Recent grants also point to a strong relationship with the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis itself, including grants of $364,925 in 2024, $364,440 in 2023, and $193,050 in 2025. Beyond that core relationship, the foundation has funded community providers such as United Way of the VA Peninsula, Peninsula Agency on Aging, Center for Child and Family Services, and Mary Immaculate Hospital. The foundation’s giving is closely tied to sustainability as well as direct service. Several recent awards were described as supporting mission advancement and furthering organizational sustainability, while other programs focus on core operating support, housing, mental health, emergency needs, and capacity building. A skills-based volunteer component through Catchafire and an entrepreneurial cohort program also show that the foundation supports nonprofits beyond traditional grant checks.
In human services for older adults, Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation Inc gave $150,000 in 2025 to Peninsula Agency on Aging to advance its mission and further its sustainability. In child and family services, it gave $61,500 in 2025 to Center for Child and Family Services for the same purpose. The foundation also supports housing and recovery-related work. It awarded $34,000 in 2025 to Menchville House Ministries, $30,750 in 2024 to Faith Recovery, and $25,070 in 2025 to Natasha House. Education and youth development appear as another thread in the recent grants list. The foundation gave $29,495 in 2024 to Literacy for Life and $21,500 in 2025 to Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads. These grants fit alongside its stated emphasis on education, early childhood and school readiness, and services for vulnerable children.
Typical awards cluster tightly around $15,000 to $16,422, with a p25 of $15,000, a median of $15,000, and a p75 of $16,422. At the same time, the foundation makes both larger multi-program awards and smaller targeted grants, including a $200,000 grant in 2024 and a $364,925 grant in 2024. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Network Peninsula, Literacy for Life, Soundscapes, and Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads. The foundation is a public charity and its annual grantmaking is board- and committee-driven. It also has programs that accept unsolicited applications, including annual grants, education funds, entrepreneurial cohorts, and emergency funds.
$838K
$24.3M
$1.9M
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $15K and $16K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$16K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Giving is heavily concentrated in Virginia, with 97% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. The Virginia Peninsula is the main service area, and recent grants reached Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. Newport News appears frequently, including grants to United Way of the VA Peninsula, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Menchville House Ministries, Soundscapes, and Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads. Outside Virginia, the recent grants list includes only one recipient location: Reading, Pennsylvania, for the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. The recipient country distribution shows all grants went to U.S.-based organizations.
The foundation supports nonprofits serving vulnerable children and vulnerable elderly people on the Virginia Peninsula, along with healthcare, education, and human service work. It also funds core operating support, housing and homelessness-related initiatives, mental health services, capacity building, and emergency needs.
Typical awards are tightly grouped: p25 is $15,000, the median is $15,000, and p75 is $16,422. The recent grants list also includes larger awards such as $200,000 and $364,925.
No. Its active programs include annual competitive grants, education funds, skills-based volunteer support through Catchafire, entrepreneurial cohort support, and set-aside emergency funds. The foundation also makes both operating and project grants.
Yes. The geographic scope is local, and 97% of grants go to recipients in Virginia, with a strong focus on the Virginia Peninsula. Recent recipient cities include Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent grants list, including the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Mary Immaculate Hospital, Network Peninsula, Literacy for Life, Soundscapes, and Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations seeking support for staff education and professional development expenses. Executive Director approval is required for staff attendance at trainings, workshops, conferences, or classes.
Deadline: Not specified on the scraped content.
Who can apply: Nonprofits in need of emergency assistance. Applicants must explain the emergency and the amount of funding requested in a letter to the Foundation.
Deadline: Rolling emergency requests; no fixed deadline stated.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BERNARDINE SISTER OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST FRANCIS | READING, PA | $193,050 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO MULTIPLE PROGRAMS |
| PENINSULA AGENCY ON AGING | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES | HAMPTON, VA | $61,500 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| UNITED WAY OF THE VIRGINIA PENINSULA | YORKTOWN, VA | $55,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES EASTERN VIRGINIA | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $41,500 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| MARY IMMACULATE HOSPITAL | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $35,100 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| BON SECOURS HAMPTON ROADS FOUNDATION | SUFFOLK, VA | $35,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| MENCHVILLE HOUSE MINISTRIES | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $34,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| EDMARE HOSPICE FOR CHILDREN | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $25,385 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| NATASHA HOUSE | YORKTOWN, VA | $25,070 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE | NORFOLK, VA | $25,050 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| SOUNDSCAPES | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $21,500 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS OF HAMPTON ROADS | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $21,500 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| VERSABILITY RESOURCES | HAMPTON, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| TRANSITIONS FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICES | HAMPTON, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| GREATER HAMPTON ROADS DIAPER BANK | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| NETWORK PENINSULA | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES | RICHMOND, VA | $10,200 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| DREAMCATCHERS | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| RURAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP | GLOUCESTER, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| SERVE THE CITY PENINSULA | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $8,569 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| HAMPTON BAPTIST CHURCH | HAMPTON, VA | $5,436 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| PEAKE CHILDHOOD CENTER | HAMPTON, VA | $5,369 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY |
| BERNARDINE SISTER OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST FRANCIS | READING, PA | $364,925 | 2024 | SEE STMT 1 IN SEC IV |
| UNITED WAY OF THE VA PENINSULA | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $200,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 21 SEC IV |
| MARY IMMACULATE HOSPITAL | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $33,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 12 SEC IV |
| FREEKIND | HAMPTON, VA | $30,895 | 2024 | SEE STMT 7 IN SEC IV |
| NETWORK PENINSULA | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $30,784 | 2024 | SEE STMT 13 SEC IV |
| FAITH RECOVERY | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $30,750 | 2024 | SEE STMT 6 IN SEC IV |
| THRIVE PENINSULA | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $30,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 19 SEC IV |
| LITERACY FOR LIFE | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $29,495 | 2024 | SEE STMT 11 SEC IV |
| LINK OF HAMPTON ROADS | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $14,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 10 SEC IV |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES EASTERN VIRGINIA | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $11,200 | 2024 | SEE STMT 2 IN SEC IV |
| SERVE THE CITY | POQUOSON, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 17 SEC IV |
| HELP INC | HAMPTON, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 8 IN SEC IV |
| ST MARY'S HOME FOR DISABLED CHILDR | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 18 SEC IV |
| HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 9 SEC IV |
| TRANSITIONS FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICE | HAMPTON, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 20 SEC IV |
| ECHO FAMILY CARE PARTNERS | HAMPTON, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 5 IN SEC IV |
| RURAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP | GLOUCESTER, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 15 SEC IV |
| SALVATION ARMY OF THE VA PENINSULA | HAMPTON, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 16 SEC IV |
| COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES | RICHMOND, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | SEE STMT 4 IN SEC IV |
| CENTER FOR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE | HAMPTON, VA | $6,500 | 2024 | SEE STMT 3 IN SEC IV |
| PENINSULA PASTORAL COUNSELLING CENT | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $6,110 | 2024 | SEE STMT 14 SEC IV |
| BERNARDINE SISTER OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST FRANCIS | READING, PA | $364,440 | 2023 | SEE STMT 3 IN SEC IV |
| NETWORK PENINSULA | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $60,400 | 2023 | SEE STMT 22 SEC IV |
| MARY IMMACULATE HOSPITAL | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $34,500 | 2023 | SEE STMT 20 SEC IV |
| VIRGINIA LIVING MUSEUM | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $16,500 | 2023 | SEE STMT 35 SEC IV |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $16,500 | 2023 | SEE STMT 8 IN SEC IV |
| YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS OF HR | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $16,500 | 2023 | SEE STMT 38 SEC IV |
BERNARDINE SISTER OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST FRANCIS
$193,050TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO MULTIPLE PROGRAMS
TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
MARY IMMACULATE HOSPITAL
$35,100TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
MENCHVILLE HOUSE MINISTRIES
$34,000TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE
$25,050TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS OF HAMPTON ROADS
$21,500TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
VERSABILITY RESOURCES
$20,000TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
TRANSITIONS FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICES
$15,000TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
GREATER HAMPTON ROADS DIAPER BANK
$15,000TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
NETWORK PENINSULA
$15,000TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
DREAMCATCHERS
$10,000TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
RURAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
$10,000TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
SERVE THE CITY PENINSULA
$8,569TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
HAMPTON BAPTIST CHURCH
$5,436TO ADVANCE ITS MISSION AND FURTHER ITS SUSTAINABILITY
BERNARDINE SISTER OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST FRANCIS
$364,925SEE STMT 1 IN SEC IV
MARY IMMACULATE HOSPITAL
$33,000SEE STMT 12 SEC IV
FREEKIND
$30,895SEE STMT 7 IN SEC IV
NETWORK PENINSULA
$30,784SEE STMT 13 SEC IV
FAITH RECOVERY
$30,750SEE STMT 6 IN SEC IV
THRIVE PENINSULA
$30,000SEE STMT 19 SEC IV
LITERACY FOR LIFE
$29,495SEE STMT 11 SEC IV
LINK OF HAMPTON ROADS
$14,000SEE STMT 10 SEC IV
SERVE THE CITY
$10,000SEE STMT 17 SEC IV
HELP INC
$10,000SEE STMT 8 IN SEC IV
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$10,000SEE STMT 9 SEC IV
TRANSITIONS FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICE
$10,000SEE STMT 20 SEC IV
ECHO FAMILY CARE PARTNERS
$10,000SEE STMT 5 IN SEC IV
RURAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
$10,000SEE STMT 15 SEC IV
SALVATION ARMY OF THE VA PENINSULA
$10,000SEE STMT 16 SEC IV
PENINSULA PASTORAL COUNSELLING CENT
$6,110SEE STMT 14 SEC IV
BERNARDINE SISTER OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST FRANCIS
$364,440SEE STMT 3 IN SEC IV
NETWORK PENINSULA
$60,400SEE STMT 22 SEC IV
MARY IMMACULATE HOSPITAL
$34,500SEE STMT 20 SEC IV
VIRGINIA LIVING MUSEUM
$16,500SEE STMT 35 SEC IV
YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS OF HR
$16,500SEE STMT 38 SEC IV