The James A Meador Foundation prioritizes local, community-focused grants in the Salem, VA area with a strong emphasis on faith-based organizations, public safety, and human services. It routinely provides general operating support to churches, a Christian school, first-responder services, hospice care, and family/behavioral service providers, suggesting a preference for sustaining core community institutions rather than project-specific funding.
James a Meador Foundation’s recent giving shows a strong preference for sustained, unrestricted support to local institutions rather than one-time project grants. The largest awards in the file went to Saunders Fire Department in Huddleston, with $90,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for general operations, signaling repeated support for emergency services. Faith-based organizations are another clear thread: Covenant Fellowship Church in Moneta received $80,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for general support, while Bethlehem United Methodist Church appears again in the record with a $40,000 grant in 2025 for general operations. The foundation also backs community service providers that serve families and vulnerable residents. Hope Tree Family Services in Salem received $57,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025 for general operations, and Good Samaritan Hospice in Roanoke received recurring support across multiple years. Taken together, the record points to a funder that uses sizable grants to help core community organizations cover operating needs over time.
A major theme is community safety and emergency response. The foundation gave $90,000 to Saunders Fire Department in Huddleston in 2024 and again in 2025, both for general operations. Faith-based support is another recurring area: Covenant Fellowship Church in Moneta received $80,000 in 2023 and $80,000 in 2024 for general support, and Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Moneta received $50,000 in 2023 and $40,000 in 2025 for general support and general operations. The foundation also supports human services and care providers. Hope Tree Family Services in Salem received $57,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025 for general operations, while Good Samaritan Hospice in Roanoke received $50,000 in 2023, $50,000 in 2024, and $50,000 in 2025 for general support. Education appears through Faith Christian Schools in Roanoke, which received $50,000 in 2024 and 2025 for general operations.
Grant sizes range from a median of $8,750 to a p75 of $47,500, with a p25 of $2,500. The pattern includes repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, especially for operating or general support. The foundation is local in scope, gives overwhelmingly in Virginia, and its record also shows it funds individuals, though the recent grants list here is made up of organizational recipients. The grant descriptions are consistently broad-purpose rather than project-specific, with wording such as general operations, general support, and contribution for general support.
$472K
$9.1M
$768K
$689K
Most grants fall between $3K and $48K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$48K
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Concentrated, relatively large grants with multiple repeat awards to the same local organizations; primarily unrestricted/general operating support rather than narrowly restricted project funding.
Notable grantees: Saunders Fire Department, Covenant Fellowship Church, Good Samaritan Hospice, HopeTree Family Services, Faith Christian Schools
Giving is concentrated in Virginia, which accounts for 96% of grants, and every grant in the recipient-country distribution is in the US. Recent recipients cluster around the Salem-Roanoke-Lake area: Salem, Roanoke, Moneta, Huddleston, Blacksburg, and nearby communities. Salem appears repeatedly through Hope Tree Family Services, Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries, Adult Care Center, and Richfield Living Professional Center. Roanoke also shows up often, including Faith Christian Schools, Good Samaritan Hospice, Angels of Assisi, Straight Street, and Family Services of the Roanoke Valley.
The recent grants favor local institutions that provide ongoing community services: fire and first-responder departments, churches and parish ministries, Christian schools, hospice care, and family or behavioral services. Many awards are labeled general operations or general support, suggesting a focus on sustaining core budgets.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Saunders Fire Department with $90,000 in both 2024 and 2025, Covenant Fellowship Church with $80,000 in both 2023 and 2024, and Hope Tree Family Services with $57,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025.
The distribution centers on modest-to-mid-sized grants: p25 is $2,500, median grant size is $8,750, and p75 is $47,500. The recent grants list also includes larger operating awards such as $90,000 and $80,000.
Its giving is highly concentrated in Virginia: 96% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is VA. The recipient cities in the recent record are all in the US, with many in Salem, Roanoke, Moneta, Huddleston, and Blacksburg.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, according to the provided profile data. The recent grants table shown here is limited to organizations, but the overall foundation profile indicates individual support is part of its giving.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOPE TREE FAMILY SERVICES | SALEM, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LOVEABLE SERVICES INC | ROANOKE, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | ROANOKE, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BRADLEY FREE CLINIC | ROANOKE, VA | $40,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARILION CLINIC FOUNDATION - CENTER FOR GRIEF & HEALING | ROANOKE, VA | $40,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAKE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | MONETA, VA | $40,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AGAPE CENTER | MONETA, VA | $40,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAMP BRAVEHEART | SALEM, VA | $30,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WEST END CENTER | ROANOKE, VA | $30,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VIRTUAL CENTER FOR VCFS | MANLIUS, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BETHLEHEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | MONETA, VA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GREG GELBURD FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REDWOOD UMC WARMING SHELTER | ROCKY MOUNT, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AAF OF ROANOKE | ROANOKE, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MASTERPIECE ALLIANCE | SALEM, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RADFORD UNIVERSITY | RADFORD, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY | FARMVILLE, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY | BLACKSBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| EMORY & HENRY COLLEGE | EMORY, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO | GREENSBORO, NC | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| VIRGINIA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | ROANOKE, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA WISE | WISE, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FERRUM COLLEGE | FERRUM, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| LIBERTY UNIVERSITY | LYNCHBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS OF ROANOKE | ROANOKE, VA | $2,000 | 2026 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAUNDERS FIRE DEPARTMENT | HUDDLESTON, VA | $90,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPICE | ROANOKE, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE TREE FAMILY SERVICES | SALEM, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | ROANOKE, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BETHLEHEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | MONETA, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SALEM AREA ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES | SALEM, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SRHS BAND BOOSTERS | MONETA, VA | $35,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STRAIGHT STREET | ROANOKE, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REDWOOD UMC WARMING SHELTER | MONETA, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VIRGINIA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | ROANOKE, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY | BLACKSBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AUSA | ROANOKE, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY | MANHATTAN, KS | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG | LYNCHBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| HOLLINS UNIVERSITY | ROANOKE, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| RADFORD UNIVERSITY | RADFORD, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ROANOKE COLLEGE | SALEM, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FERRUM COLLEGE | FERRUM, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| LIBERTY UNIVERSITY | LYNCHBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| SAUNDERS FIRE DEPARTMENT | HUDDLESTON, VA | $90,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COVENANT FELLOWSHIP CHURCH | MONETA, VA | $80,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE TREE FAMILY SERVICES | SALEM, VA | $57,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | ROANOKE, VA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| STRAIGHT STREET | ROANOKE, VA | $50,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ANGELS OF ASSISI | ROANOKE, VA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
HOPE TREE FAMILY SERVICES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LOVEABLE SERVICES INC
$50,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
LAKE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
AGAPE CENTER
$40,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
CAMP BRAVEHEART
$30,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
WEST END CENTER
$30,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
VIRTUAL CENTER FOR VCFS
$20,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
BETHLEHEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GREG GELBURD FOUNDATION
$10,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
REDWOOD UMC WARMING SHELTER
$10,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
AAF OF ROANOKE
$10,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
MASTERPIECE ALLIANCE
$10,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
VIRGINIA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA WISE
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS OF ROANOKE
$2,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
SAUNDERS FIRE DEPARTMENT
$90,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HOPE TREE FAMILY SERVICES
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BETHLEHEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$40,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SALEM AREA ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES
$40,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
SRHS BAND BOOSTERS
$35,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
STRAIGHT STREET
$30,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
REDWOOD UMC WARMING SHELTER
$10,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
VIRGINIA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$5,000SCHOLARSHIP
VIRGINIA TECH UNIVERSITY
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
AUSA
$2,500DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
RADFORD UNIVERSITY
$2,500SCHOLARSHIP
SAUNDERS FIRE DEPARTMENT
$90,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
COVENANT FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
$80,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
HOPE TREE FAMILY SERVICES
$57,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
STRAIGHT STREET
$50,000DONATION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT
ANGELS OF ASSISI
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS