The Harris Foundation (Hiter Harris III) focuses its giving in Virginia, making relatively large, targeted contributions to established state institutions. Its grants concentrate on environmental conservation, cultural institutions (notably the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts), and higher-education scholarship and capacity-building initiatives. The foundation favors capital and multi-year commitments and supports organizational infrastructure (e.g., technology and annual funds) for trusted grantees.
Harris Foundation co Hiter Harris III gives in Virginia with a clear preference for established institutions and recurring support. In the recent grant list, the largest awards go to The Nature Conservancy, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, and the UVA Jefferson Scholar Foundation, each receiving repeated support across multiple years. That pattern points to a funder that backs long-term organizational needs rather than one-off project bursts. The foundation’s recent giving also reaches beyond single-purpose gifts. It has funded annual funds, capital commitments, sponsorships, and named funds, including the Tyler Harris Fund and the Rising Star Fund. Those commitments sit alongside support for scholarship programs, museum operations, conservation work, and select community organizations. Its portfolio includes both large and modest grants, from major $50,000 awards to smaller $10,000 and $11,000 grants for local programs. The mix suggests a donor advised by relationship and institutional trust, with a strong emphasis on Virginia-based grantees and a smaller number of gifts outside the state.
Environmental conservation is one of the clearest themes in the foundation’s portfolio. The Nature Conservancy received $56,000 in 2023 for an annual fund and capital commitment, followed by $50,000 in 2024 and another $50,000 in 2025 for annual and capital commitments. Higher education is another major area. The UVA Jefferson Scholar Foundation received $50,000 in 2024 for the Tyler Harris Fund and $50,000 in 2023 for a capital commitment, with an additional $25,000 grant in 2025 for the Tyler Harris Fund. Arts and cultural support also appear prominently. Vmfa Foundation received $50,000 in 2023 for annual fund and capital commitment support, $50,000 in 2024 for a grant and capital commitment, and $25,000 in 2025 for grant and capital commitment support. The foundation also funds early childhood programming through Warm Springs Presbyterian Church, including $31,000 in 2025 and $11,000 in 2024 for the Grant-Tots Program and annual fund support.
The typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile, but the recent list also shows several $25,000 to $70,500 awards. That spread indicates a portfolio that combines many smaller grants with a narrower set of larger institutional commitments. Giving appears recurring rather than one-off. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including repeated awards to Virginia institutions across 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation funds individuals as well as organizations, and the recent grants also show restricted named funds, annual fund support, capital commitments, and faculty research awards. No application process is stated in the data.
$364K
$1.7M
$789K
$441K
Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small number of repeat, established Virginia institutions; emphasis on capital commitments and multi-year/annual support rather than many small one-off grants.
Notable grantees: The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA Foundation), UVA Jefferson Scholars Foundation, VFIC (Virginia higher-education foundation / capacity-building fund), Virginia Foundation for [statewide philanthropic support]
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Virginia-centered: 84% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top giving state is Virginia. Richmond appears frequently, along with Charlottesville, Warm Springs, Hot Springs, and Glen Allen. Outside Virginia, the recent list includes Washington, DC; Springvale, AL; and grants remain entirely U.S.-based in the country distribution.
The recent grants show annual funds, capital commitments, sponsorships, named funds, public support, faculty research awards, and scholarships. Examples include the Tyler Harris Fund, the Rising Star Fund, the Grant-Tots Program, and the Joel Silverman Faculty Research Award.
Yes. Geographic scope is listed as local, Virginia is the top state by grant count, and 84% of grants go to recipients in Virginia. Richmond and Charlottesville appear repeatedly in the recent grant list.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including The Nature Conservancy, Vmfa Foundation, UVA Jefferson Scholar Foundation, University of Richmond, and Warm Springs Presbyterian Church. The repeated awards suggest ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts.
The grant-size distribution is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include larger awards such as $50,000 and $70,500 to established institutions.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Nature Conservancy | Charlottesville, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | Grant, Annual and Capital Committment |
| VFIC | Richmond, VA | $41,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund, Technology Fund, Rising Star Fund, Sponsorship |
| VMFA FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | Grant, Capital Commitment |
| University of Richmond | Richmond, VA | $25,000 | 2026 | Capital Pledge |
| First Presbyterian Church | Richmond, VA | $22,500 | 2026 | Grant |
| Big Oak Ranch | Springvale, AL | $20,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $20,000 | 2026 | Tyler Harris Rose Fund $ 10,000 Dr. Shimer Research- Ortho $ 10,000 |
| University of Richmond | Univ of Richmond, VA | $20,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Warm Springs Presbyterian Church | Warm Springs, VA | $16,000 | 2026 | Grant-Tots Program, Annual Fund |
| Bath County Arts Association | Hot Springs, VA | $11,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| VCU Institute for Contemporary Art | Richmond, VA | $11,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Bath County Christmas Mother | Hot Springs, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | Public Support |
| The Doorways | Richmond, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Children's Hospital Foundation | Richmond, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | Annual Gift |
| Hampden-Sydney College | HampdenSydney, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Healthnetwork Foundation | Chagrin Falls, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | Grant |
| St Christopher's School | Richmond, VA | $6,000 | 2026 | Grant, Capital Commitment, Scholarship |
| St Catherine's School | Richmond, VA | $6,000 | 2026 | Grant, Capital Commitment, Scholarship |
| Washington Lee University | Lexington, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | Katie Harris Storer Fund |
| Chesapeake Academy Foundation | Irvington, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Seminary for the Third Millennium | Casselberry, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | In Honor of Marty Fields |
| VCU Massey Cancer Center | Richmond, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | Grant |
| Bath County Animal Welfare Foundati | Hot Springs, VA | $3,000 | 2026 | Annual Giving |
| Sheltering Arms Foundation | Glen Allen, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | CAPITAL COMMITTMENT |
| Focused Ultrasound Foundation | Charlottesville, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | Annual Giving |
| Warm Springs Cemetary | Warm Springs, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | Grant |
| Steamboat Era Museum | Irvington, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Cross-Over Ministries Inc | Richmond, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Harvard Business School | Allston, MA | $1,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Garth Newel Music Center | Hot Springs, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Junior Achievement of Richmond | Richmond, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Drive to Work | Richmond, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Bath County Hospital | Hot Springs, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Richmond Christmas Mother | Richmond, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | Public Support |
| FAISON SCHOOL FOR AUTISM | RICHMOND, VA | $500 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Bolling Haxell House Foundation | Richmond, VA | $500 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| Bath County Historical Society | Warm Springs, VA | $500 | 2026 | Annual Fund |
| The Nature Conservancy | Charlottesville, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | Grant, Annual and Capital Committment |
| Virginia Foundation for | Richmond, VA | $47,000 | 2025 | Annual Grant |
| Warm Springs Presbyterian Church | Warm Springs, VA | $31,000 | 2025 | Grant-Tots Program, Annual Fund |
| VMFA Foundation | Richmond, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | Capital Committment |
| University of Richmond | Univ of Richmond, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | Annual Fund |
| UVA JEFFERSON SCHOLAR FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | Tyler Harris Fund |
| VMFA FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | Grant, Capital Commitment |
| Smithsonian Institution | Washington, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | Annual Giving |
| Big Oak Ranch | Springvale, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | Annual Fund |
| First Presbyterian Church | Richmond, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | Grant |
| Bath County Christmas Mother | Hot Springs, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | Public Support |
| Healthnetwork Foundation | Chagrin Falls, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | Grant |
| Hampden-Sydney College | HampdenSydney, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | Annual Fund |
The Nature Conservancy
$50,000Grant, Annual and Capital Committment
VMFA FOUNDATION
$25,000Grant, Capital Commitment
First Presbyterian Church
$22,500Grant
Annual Fund
University of Virginia
$20,000Tyler Harris Rose Fund $ 10,000 Dr. Shimer Research- Ortho $ 10,000
Warm Springs Presbyterian Church
$16,000Grant-Tots Program, Annual Fund
Bath County Arts Association
$11,000Annual Fund
VCU Institute for Contemporary Art
$11,000Annual Fund
Bath County Christmas Mother
$10,000Public Support
Hampden-Sydney College
$10,000Annual Fund
Healthnetwork Foundation
$10,000Grant
St Catherine's School
$6,000Grant, Capital Commitment, Scholarship
Chesapeake Academy Foundation
$5,000Annual Fund
Seminary for the Third Millennium
$5,000In Honor of Marty Fields
Bath County Animal Welfare Foundati
$3,000Annual Giving
Sheltering Arms Foundation
$2,500CAPITAL COMMITTMENT
Warm Springs Cemetary
$2,500Grant
Steamboat Era Museum
$1,000Annual Fund
Harvard Business School
$1,000Annual Fund
Garth Newel Music Center
$1,000Annual Fund
Junior Achievement of Richmond
$1,000Annual Fund
Drive to Work
$1,000Annual Fund
Bath County Hospital
$1,000Annual Fund
Richmond Christmas Mother
$1,000Public Support
FAISON SCHOOL FOR AUTISM
$500Annual Fund
Bolling Haxell House Foundation
$500Annual Fund
Bath County Historical Society
$500Annual Fund
Virginia Foundation for
$47,000Annual Grant
Warm Springs Presbyterian Church
$31,000Grant-Tots Program, Annual Fund
VMFA Foundation
$25,000Capital Committment
UVA JEFFERSON SCHOLAR FOUNDATION
$25,000Tyler Harris Fund
VMFA FOUNDATION
$25,000Grant, Capital Commitment
First Presbyterian Church
$10,000Grant
Bath County Christmas Mother
$10,000Public Support
Hampden-Sydney College
$5,000Annual Fund