The Denton Family Charitable Foundation makes a small number of relatively large, local grants focused on youth enrichment and basic human services in the Harrisonburg area. Their support emphasizes hands-on learning for children, youth sports and development, and local homeless services, often funding a single organization more than once.
A repeated pattern stands out in Denton Family Charitable Foundation’s recent giving: the largest grants go to local youth and community-serving organizations in Harrisonburg. The foundation gave $30,670 to Explore More Discovery Museum in 2025 for a children’s museum, after giving $14,000 to the same organization in 2023. It also made a $28,000 grant to Open Doors Inc in 2024 for a homeless shelter, showing that basic human services sit alongside youth enrichment in its portfolio. Another major thread is youth development through sport; First Tee Program received $27,064 in 2023 and $2,800 in 2024 for youth golf programming. The foundation’s recent record also shows support for mentoring and community infrastructure. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County received grants in 2023 and 2025, while Harrisonburg Rescue Squad and Harrisonburg Fire Department also appear among recent recipients. The grant list reflects a local funder that works through direct operating and program support for nonprofits serving Harrisonburg and the surrounding area, with a strong emphasis on children, youth, and services tied to community stability.
Youth enrichment is a clear priority. The foundation gave $30,670 to Explore More Discovery Museum in 2025 for a museum for children, and it also supported Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County with $6,250 in 2023 and $6,000 in 2025 for mentoring children. Athletics appear in both general grant language and recent awards. First Tee Program received $27,064 in 2023 and $2,800 in 2024 for youth golf programming, and Special Olympics received $3,000 in 2023 and $2,000 in 2025 for sports and special-needs programming. Basic human services are another thread. Open Doors Inc received $28,000 in 2024 for a homeless shelter, while Blue Ridge Area Food Bank received $2,500 in 2023 for food bank work. The foundation also supported Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services District with $1,600 in 2024 for welfare for elderly and disabled residents.
Typical grants are small by foundation standards but meaningful for local nonprofits: the distribution sits at $200 at the 25th percentile, $500 at the median, and $1,150 at the 75th percentile. The recent list shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Explore More Discovery Museum, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County, Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, and Special Olympics. Grantmaking is direct and local, with written-proposal review used across several active programs. The foundation also operates an annual Fall Golf Classic that raises funds for a designated local beneficiary each year, linking event-based fundraising with grant support.
$70K
$1.6M
$165K
$221K
Most grants fall between $200 and $1K, with a median of $500.
25th Percentile
$200
Median
$500
75th Percentile
$1K
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Concentrated, local giving with few but sizable grants; mix of repeat support (museum received multiple grants) and single large grants to mission-focused community nonprofits.
Notable grantees: Explore More Discovery Museum, Open Doors Inc, First Tee Program
Grantmaking is concentrated in Virginia, with 95% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Most recent recipients are in Harrisonburg, including Explore More Discovery Museum, Open Doors Inc, First Tee Program, and Harrisonburg Rescue Squad. Outside Harrisonburg, the recent list includes Verona, Winchester, Bristow, and Grottoes, all in Virginia. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 139 grants in the United States.
The recent grants and program descriptions point to local nonprofits serving children and youth, people experiencing homelessness, and community services. Examples include a children’s museum, a homeless shelter, youth golf programming, mentoring services, food assistance, and emergency-response organizations in Harrisonburg and nearby areas.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Explore More Discovery Museum, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County, Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, and Special Olympics. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than one-time-only giving.
The typical grant size is modest: the 25th percentile is $200, the median is $500, and the 75th percentile is $1,150. At the same time, some awards are much larger, such as $30,670 to Explore More Discovery Museum and $28,000 to Open Doors Inc.
Its giving is local, centered on Harrisonburg and the surrounding area. Virginia recipients account for 95% of grants, and the recent list includes Harrisonburg, Verona, Winchester, Bristow, and Grottoes.
Yes. The active grant programs say the foundation accepts unsolicited requests and reviews written proposals against its interests and funding priorities. Several program descriptions also note no formal application deadline.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Denton Family Charitable Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Limits grants to nonprofit organizations in Harrisonburg and the surrounding area. Applicants should provide organization background, planned use of funds, leadership/accountability details, other funding sources, an audited financial statement, and 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter.
Deadline: There isn’t a formal application deadline.
Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations in Harrisonburg and the surrounding area, have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and provide an audited current financial statement, organizational information, intended use of funds, other funding sources, leadership and accountability information, and the IRS tax-exempt status ruling letter.
Deadline: No formal application deadline; requests are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORE MORE DISCOVERY MUSEUM | HARRISONBURG, VA | $30,670 | 2025 | MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM COUNTY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $6,000 | 2025 | MENTOR CHILDREN |
| HARRISONBURG DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE | HARRISONBURG, VA | $5,001 | 2025 | PROVIDES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES |
| WOODBINE CEMETERY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $4,000 | 2025 | CEMETERY |
| OASIS FINE ARTS & CRAFTS | HARRISONBURG, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROMTES LOCAL ARTISIANS |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HARRISONBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | ASSIST NONPROFIT IN COMMUNITY |
| HARRISONBURG RESCUE SQUAD | HARRISONBURG, VA | $2,400 | 2025 | VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD |
| GROTTOES POOL PRESERVATION FOUNDATION | GROTTOES, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | PRESERVATION |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS | HARRISONBURG, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL NEEDS |
| ANY GIVEN CHILD SHENANDOAH VALLEY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $1,500 | 2025 | ARTS |
| STILL MEADOWS ENRICHMENT CENTER & CAMP | LINVILLE, VA | $1,200 | 2025 | NONPROFIT CAMP FOR THE DISABLED |
| ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING VIRGINIA SHENANDOAH CHAPTER | HARRISONBURG, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | FUNDRAISING |
| RMH FOUNDATION | HARRISONBURG, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | HOSPITAL |
| SECOND HOME CHILDCARE CENTER | HARRISONBURG, VA | $900 | 2025 | CHILDCARE |
| FIRST TEE PROGRAM | HARRISONBURG, VA | $800 | 2025 | YOUTH GOLF PROGRAM |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB | HARRISONBURG, VA | $750 | 2025 | MENTOR CHILDREN |
| NEW MARKET ROTARY CHARITABLE FUND | NEW MARKET, VA | $600 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH | HARRISONBURG, VA | $500 | 2025 | CHURCH |
| BEACH GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | HARRISONBURG, VA | $500 | 2025 | CHURCH |
| HARRISONBURG ROCKINGHAM SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT | HARRISONBURG, VA | $500 | 2025 | WELLFARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED |
| NEW CREATION | HARRISONBURG, VA | $400 | 2025 | COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING |
| THE ARC OF HARRISONBURG AND ROCKINGHAM COUNTY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $400 | 2025 | SUPPORTS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH | HARRISONBURG, VA | $300 | 2025 | CHURCH |
| HARRISONBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT | HARRISONBURG, VA | $300 | 2025 | FIRE DEPARTMENT |
| SOUTH FORK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | BRANDYWINE, WV | $300 | 2025 | FIRE DEPARTMENT |
| MASSANUTTEN REGIONAL LIBRARY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $200 | 2025 | LIBRARY |
| BREAKING FREE | TIMBERVILLE, VA | $200 | 2025 | VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS |
| HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY | BIG ISLAND, VA | $200 | 2025 | HUNGER DONATIONS |
| THE HARRISONBURG ELKS | HARRISONBURG, VA | $200 | 2025 | CHILD PROGRAMS |
| SALVATION ARMY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $200 | 2025 | FEED HUNGRY |
| SPCA | HARRISONBURG, VA | $100 | 2025 | ANIMAL SHELTER |
| CHRIST FELLOWSHIP | HARRISONBURG, VA | $100 | 2025 | CHURCH |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | HARRISONBURG, VA | $100 | 2025 | CHURCH |
| LEGACY HOSPICE | HARRISONBURG, VA | $100 | 2025 | HOSPICE |
| HOSE COMPANY NO 4 INC | HARRISONBURG, VA | $100 | 2025 | FIRE DEPARTMENT |
| OPEN DOORS INC | HARRISONBURG, VA | $28,000 | 2024 | HOMELESS SHELTER |
| ASHBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | HARRISONBURG, VA | $5,200 | 2024 | CHURCH |
| HARRISONBURG DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE | HARRISONBURG, VA | $4,750 | 2024 | PROVIDES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HARRISONBURG-ROCKINGHAM COUNTY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $4,500 | 2024 | MENTOR CHILDREN |
| FIRST TEE PROGRAM | HARRISONBURG, VA | $2,800 | 2024 | YOUTH GOLF PROGRAM |
| OASIS FINE ARTS & CRAFTS | HARRISONBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2024 | PROMTES LOCAL ARTISIANS |
| JMU FOUNDATION | HARRISONBURG, VA | $2,100 | 2024 | COLLEGE |
| HARRISONBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT | HARRISONBURG, VA | $2,000 | 2024 | FIRE DEPARTMENT |
| HARRISONBURG RESCUE SQUAD | HARRISONBURG, VA | $1,800 | 2024 | VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | WINCHESTER, VA | $1,756 | 2024 | NONPROFIT THRIFT STORE |
| HARRISONBURG ROCKINGHAM SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT | HARRISONBURG, VA | $1,600 | 2024 | WELLFARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED |
| PERFECT GOLF EVENT | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $1,500 | 2024 | CHARITY |
| HENSLEY'S CHURCH | ELKTON, VA | $1,100 | 2024 | CHURCH |
| BLUE AND GRAY SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS INC | BRISTOW, VA | $1,057 | 2024 | ANIMAL SHELTER |
| NEW MARKET ROTARY CHARITABLE FUND | NEW MARKET, VA | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITY |
EXPLORE MORE DISCOVERY MUSEUM
$30,670MUSEUM FOR CHILDREN
HARRISONBURG DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE
$5,001PROVIDES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES
WOODBINE CEMETERY
$4,000CEMETERY
OASIS FINE ARTS & CRAFTS
$3,000PROMTES LOCAL ARTISIANS
ASSIST NONPROFIT IN COMMUNITY
HARRISONBURG RESCUE SQUAD
$2,400VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD
GROTTOES POOL PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
$2,000PRESERVATION
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
$2,000SPECIAL NEEDS
ANY GIVEN CHILD SHENANDOAH VALLEY
$1,500ARTS
STILL MEADOWS ENRICHMENT CENTER & CAMP
$1,200NONPROFIT CAMP FOR THE DISABLED
ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING VIRGINIA SHENANDOAH CHAPTER
$1,000FUNDRAISING
RMH FOUNDATION
$1,000HOSPITAL
SECOND HOME CHILDCARE CENTER
$900CHILDCARE
FIRST TEE PROGRAM
$800YOUTH GOLF PROGRAM
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
$750MENTOR CHILDREN
NEW MARKET ROTARY CHARITABLE FUND
$600CHARITY
NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH
$500CHURCH
BEACH GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$500CHURCH
HARRISONBURG ROCKINGHAM SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT
$500WELLFARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED
NEW CREATION
$400COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING
THE ARC OF HARRISONBURG AND ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
$400SUPPORTS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH
$300CHURCH
HARRISONBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT
$300FIRE DEPARTMENT
SOUTH FORK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$300FIRE DEPARTMENT
MASSANUTTEN REGIONAL LIBRARY
$200LIBRARY
BREAKING FREE
$200VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
THE HARRISONBURG ELKS
$200CHILD PROGRAMS
SALVATION ARMY
$200FEED HUNGRY
SPCA
$100ANIMAL SHELTER
CHRIST FELLOWSHIP
$100CHURCH
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$100CHURCH
LEGACY HOSPICE
$100HOSPICE
HOSE COMPANY NO 4 INC
$100FIRE DEPARTMENT
OPEN DOORS INC
$28,000HOMELESS SHELTER
ASHBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$5,200CHURCH
HARRISONBURG DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE
$4,750PROVIDES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES
FIRST TEE PROGRAM
$2,800YOUTH GOLF PROGRAM
OASIS FINE ARTS & CRAFTS
$2,500PROMTES LOCAL ARTISIANS
JMU FOUNDATION
$2,100COLLEGE
HARRISONBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT
$2,000FIRE DEPARTMENT
HARRISONBURG RESCUE SQUAD
$1,800VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$1,756NONPROFIT THRIFT STORE
HARRISONBURG ROCKINGHAM SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT
$1,600WELLFARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED
PERFECT GOLF EVENT
$1,500CHARITY
HENSLEY'S CHURCH
$1,100CHURCH
BLUE AND GRAY SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS INC
$1,057ANIMAL SHELTER
NEW MARKET ROTARY CHARITABLE FUND
$1,000CHARITY