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    5. Herndon Foundation
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    Herndon Foundation

    ActiveMutual & Membership BenefitFunds Individuals
    RICHMOND, VAWebsite8045604119

    About Herndon Foundation

    The Herndon Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on Virginia higher-education and public-serving institutions, providing substantial unrestricted operating support. Its giving is highly concentrated: a small number of very large grants fund institutions with regional and civic significance, notably a military college and a private university in Richmond. The foundation appears to prioritize institutional stability and capacity over program-specific or grassroots awards.

    Focus Areas

    Operating support for Virginia higher education institutionsSupport for military education and veteran-related institutions (Virginia Military Institute)Major philanthropic investment in Richmond-area nonprofit institutions

    Who They Fund

    nonprofit organizations (general)K-12 schools / school partners (Sprout School)low-income / indigent patientsstudents / scholarship recipientsfaith communities / congregations

    Giving Approach

    About Herndon Foundation

    Herndon Foundation’s recent giving is marked by repeated seven-figure support for Virginia Military Institute and steady operating support for University of Richmond. Those two institutions appear across multiple years, showing a pattern of multi-year institutional funding rather than one-off project grants. The foundation also backs other Richmond-area organizations with larger general operating awards, including Virginia Museum of History and Culture and J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation, which points to a portfolio built around institutional stability. The foundation’s grantmaking favors Virginia higher education and public-serving institutions, with awards that often support core operations, pledges, or specific capital and partnership needs. That mix suggests a funder comfortable with both unrestricted support and targeted investments when a project fits its priorities. Recent grants also show attention to education beyond universities, including a Richmond school, a scholarship award, and a school partnership pilot. Across the record, the foundation’s role is less about broad, dispersed philanthropy and more about concentrating meaningful dollars in a small set of Virginia institutions with civic presence.

    What Herndon Foundation Funds

    Higher education is central to the foundation’s recent grantmaking. It gave $1,000,000 to Vmi Foundation in 2025 for general operating support, and it also supported University of Richmond with $584,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for general operating support. The foundation also backs education infrastructure and partnerships in Richmond. In 2024, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation received $200,000 for a biotechnology lab fit out, followed by $125,000 in 2025 in support of the Sprout School partnership pilot program. Beyond education, the portfolio includes health and human services and cultural institutions. MCV Foundation received support for the Gottwald Indigent Care Fund, while Virginia Museum of History and Culture was funded for operating support in multiple years. The Richmond Ballet also appears in the recent grants list with general operating support.

    How Herndon Foundation Gives

    Typical awards cluster at the smaller end of the foundation’s scale, with p25 at $10,000, a median grant of $25,000, and p75 at $50,000. Recent large grants show that the foundation can also make major institutional commitments, including repeated seven-figure support. The same recipients appear across multiple years, especially in Virginia higher education and Richmond institutions, which indicates recurring relationships rather than isolated gifts. The grant program is annual and competitive, and it accepts unsolicited applications from qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, with preference for organizations serving the Richmond metropolitan region. The foundation makes grants, not program-related investments.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $5.6M

    Total Assets

    $62M

    Total Revenue

    $16.1M

    Total Expenses

    $6.1M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.

    25th Percentile

    $10K

    Median

    $25K

    75th Percentile

    $50K

    Geographic Reach

    Local6 states funded

    About 97% of grants go to recipients in VA.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Deep Analysis

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    EIN (Tax ID): 54-6060809Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $62M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a very small set of repeat grantees (multi-grant support to the same institutions), focused on unrestricted/operating support rather than many small awards.

    Funding Style

    general operating support (unrestricted)capital/project fit-out and renovation fundingmulti-year pledge completion/paymentspilot program / partnership seed funding

    Notable grantees: VMI Foundation (Virginia Military Institute), University of Richmond, Richmond-area higher education institutions (representative of the foundation's local focus)

    Topics

    biotechnology lab infrastructure / research facilitiesschool partnership pilot programs (K-12 education)indigent care / safety-net healthcare fundingscholarship support / student financial aidfaith-based facility renovation (chapel)

    Where Herndon Foundation Makes Grants

    Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in Virginia: 97% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the grant count is highest there. The recent-grants list is heavily centered in Richmond, with additional awards in Lexington and Glen Allen. Recipient locations in the file are entirely U.S.-based, and the country distribution shows 418 grants to U.S. organizations. That pattern fits a local funder whose priorities are anchored in the Richmond metropolitan area and nearby Virginia institutions.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Herndon Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does Herndon Foundation fund most often?

    Herndon Foundation gives primarily to Virginia higher-education and public-serving institutions. Recent recipients include Virginia Military Institute, University of Richmond, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Educational Foundation, and other Richmond-area nonprofits serving education, health, and cultural needs.

    Does Herndon Foundation make recurring grants to the same organizations?

    Yes. Virginia Military Institute appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025 at $1,000,000 each year, and University of Richmond appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025 at $584,000 each year. Virginia Museum of History and Culture and United Way of Greater Richmond also appear in multiple years.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The distribution is concentrated at modest award sizes: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent list also includes much larger institutional awards, including $1,000,000 grants.

    How does the foundation structure its giving?

    It uses an annual competitive grants cycle and provides programmatic, general operating, and limited endowment support. The foundation says it accepts unsolicited applications from qualified 501(c)(3) public charities, with preference for organizations serving the Richmond metropolitan region.

    Is Herndon Foundation’s giving local or broad-based?

    Its giving is local. The top state by grant count is Virginia, 97% of grants go to recipients in Virginia, and the recent-grants list is concentrated in Richmond, Lexington, and Glen Allen.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Herndon Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Opening soonAward: Up to $25K

    Competitive Grants

    EducationEarly childhood educationSchool readiness+12 more

    Who can apply: Applicants must be charitable organizations tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and not private foundations under Section 509(a) of the IRS Code. Qualified organizations throughout Virginia are eligible, with strong preference for organizations operating principally in metropolitan Richmond and aligned with one or more funding priorities. Beginning in 2026, organizations that have already received funding from the Foundation in the current year are not eligible to apply during the open grant request cycle.

    Deadline: Open grant request cycle begins August 1st each year; funding decisions communicated during the third and fourth quarters.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    VMI FOUNDATIONLEXINGTON, VA$1,000,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    UNIVERSITY OF RICHMONDRICHMOND, VA$584,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND CULTURERICHMOND, VA$250,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    RIVER ROAD CHURCH BAPTISTRICHMOND, VA$125,0002025CHAPEL RENOVATION SUPPORT
    J SARGEANT REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONRICHMOND, VA$125,0002025IN SUPPORT OF SPROUT SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM
    UNITED WAY OF GREATER RICHMONDRICHMOND, VA$75,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTSRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATIONRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025HELWIG KNOLL - PAYMENT #5 - $250,000 REMAINING
    ACTSRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    THE VIRGINIA HOMERICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    CRISTO REY RICHMONDRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    ANNA JULIA COOPER EPISCOPAL SCHOOLRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    NEXTUP RVARICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    VIRGINIA LEAGUE OF PLANNED PARENTHOODRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTUREGLEN ALLEN, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    YMCA OF GREATER RICHMONDRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    ST JAMES CHILDREN'S CENTERRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTERRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    THE SACRED HEART CENTERRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    THE RICHMOND SYMPHONY FOUNDATIONRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    HUMANKINDLYNCHBURG, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    BLUE SKY FUNDRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    VIRGINIA OPERARICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    LACKEY CLINICYORKTOWN, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    FEEDMORERICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    GROUNDWORK RVARICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    GRASPGLEN ALLEN, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    UP RVARICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    MENTOR VIRGINIARICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    YWCARICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    PETER PAUL DEVELOPMENT CENTERRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    MCV FOUNDATIONRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025IN SUPPORT OF THE GOTTWALD INDIGENT CARE FUND
    SWIMRVARICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    SHALOM FARMSRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    THE RICHMOND BALLETRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    CAPITAL REGION LAND CONSERVANCYRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    HIGHER ACHIEVEMENTRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    ST ANDREWS SCHOOLRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF METRO RICHMONDRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS SERVICES INCRICHMOND, VA$50,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    BLUE SKY FUNDRICHMOND, VA$30,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOLRICHMOND, VA$30,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    COLLEGIATE SCHOOLRICHMOND, VA$30,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    PETER PAUL DEVELOPMENT CENTERRICHMOND, VA$30,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    DAILY PLANET HEALTH SERVICESRICHMOND, VA$25,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    VIRGINIA SUPPORTIVE HOUSINGRICHMOND, VA$25,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    VIRGINIA CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTSAMHERST, VA$25,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF RICHMONDRICHMOND, VA$25,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    THE VALENTINERICHMOND, VA$25,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
    THE READ CENTERRICHMOND, VA$25,0002025GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    VMI FOUNDATION

    $1,000,000
    LEXINGTON, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND

    $584,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND CULTURE

    $250,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    RIVER ROAD CHURCH BAPTIST

    $125,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    CHAPEL RENOVATION SUPPORT

    J SARGEANT REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

    $125,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    IN SUPPORT OF SPROUT SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PILOT PROGRAM

    UNITED WAY OF GREATER RICHMOND

    $75,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA FOUNDATION

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    HELWIG KNOLL - PAYMENT #5 - $250,000 REMAINING

    ACTS

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    THE VIRGINIA HOME

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    CRISTO REY RICHMOND

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    ANNA JULIA COOPER EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    NEXTUP RVA

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    VIRGINIA LEAGUE OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE

    $50,000
    GLEN ALLEN, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    YMCA OF GREATER RICHMOND

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    ST JAMES CHILDREN'S CENTER

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTER

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    THE SACRED HEART CENTER

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    THE RICHMOND SYMPHONY FOUNDATION

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    HUMANKIND

    $50,000
    LYNCHBURG, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    BLUE SKY FUND

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    VIRGINIA OPERA

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    LACKEY CLINIC

    $50,000
    YORKTOWN, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    FEEDMORE

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    GROUNDWORK RVA

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    GRASP

    $50,000
    GLEN ALLEN, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    UP RVA

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    MENTOR VIRGINIA

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    YWCA

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    PETER PAUL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    MCV FOUNDATION

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    IN SUPPORT OF THE GOTTWALD INDIGENT CARE FUND

    SWIMRVA

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    SHALOM FARMS

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    THE RICHMOND BALLET

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    CAPITAL REGION LAND CONSERVANCY

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    ST ANDREWS SCHOOL

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF METRO RICHMOND

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS SERVICES INC

    $50,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    BLUE SKY FUND

    $30,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

    $30,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

    $30,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    PETER PAUL DEVELOPMENT CENTER

    $30,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    DAILY PLANET HEALTH SERVICES

    $25,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    VIRGINIA SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

    $25,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    VIRGINIA CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS

    $25,000
    AMHERST, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF RICHMOND

    $25,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    THE VALENTINE

    $25,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

    THE READ CENTER

    $25,000
    RICHMOND, VA2025

    GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT