The Massey Family Foundation concentrates its giving on health and biomedical research and applied university programs in Virginia and nearby Appalachian communities. The foundation makes large, targeted gifts—often multi-part grants—to major institutions (notably the Massey Cancer Center and Virginia universities) supporting cancer research, medical innovation, and regional health/quality-of-life initiatives. Its funding pattern emphasizes institutional partnerships with an interest in translating research into practical medical access and community health improvements.
Four annual unrestricted gifts of $1 million each to Massey Cancer Center show the Massey Family Foundation’s clearest priority: sustained support for cancer research and treatment capacity in Richmond. The foundation pairs that commitment with large, multi-year institutional grants in Virginia, including funding for the UVA Engineering Foundation and for Morgan Memorials Medicines 4 All VCU Eng, which ties engineering work to medicines development. Its giving pattern points to long-term partnerships rather than one-time project checks. In recent years, the foundation has also backed Active Southern West Virginia, New Community School, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Child Savers, Virginia Tech Foundation Inc, and Virginia Institute for Marine Science, indicating a mix of medical, university, youth-serving, and regional community investments. Unrestricted support appears frequently in the recent grants list, suggesting the foundation often funds organizations directly rather than attaching a narrow project scope. Across the portfolio, the Massey Family Foundation’s identity is closely linked to Virginia institutions and to applied work that can move from research into practice.
Cancer research and treatment capacity building is the most visible theme in the recent grants list, with repeated $1 million unrestricted grants to Massey Cancer Center. University-based engineering is another clear area: the foundation gave $585,000 to Uva Engineering Foundation in 2024 and additional $100,000 unrestricted grants in 2023, 2025, and 2026. Applied medicine also appears through a $515,000 unrestricted grant in 2023 to Morgan Memorials Medicines 4 All Vcu Eng, linking engineering collaboration to medicines development. Beyond higher education and research, the foundation supported regional health and activity work with $350,000 in 2025 and another $350,000 in 2026 to Active Southern West Virginia, plus earlier $100,000 grants in 2023 and 2024.
Typical grant size centers around a narrow middle range: p25 is $22,000, median is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent grants list also shows a strong repeat pattern, with several recipients appearing across multiple years, including Massey Cancer Center, Uva Engineering Foundation, Active Southern West Virginia, New Community School, Virginia Institute for Marine Science, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and Child Savers. The foundation funds individuals: False and makes program-related investments: False. Many listed awards are unrestricted, which points to flexible institutional support rather than tightly restricted project-only funding.
$4.6M
$74M
$7M
$5.8M
Most grants fall between $22K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$22K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 86% of grants go to recipients in VA.
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants to a small set of institutional grantees with repeat funding to flagship beneficiaries; strategic, project-oriented support aimed at research translation and regional health impact.
Notable grantees: Massey Cancer Center, UVA Engineering Foundation, Morgan Memorials / Medicines4All (VCU engineering), Active Southern West Virginia
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Virginia: 86% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is VA. Recent recipients cluster in Richmond, Charlottesville, Blacksburg, Henrico, and Gloucester Point, with Beckley, WV appearing as the main out-of-state recipient city in the recent list. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 301 grants going to US recipients.
The recent grants point to Virginia institutions in cancer research, university engineering, applied medicine, and regional community programs. Recurring recipients include Massey Cancer Center, Uva Engineering Foundation, Active Southern West Virginia, New Community School, Virginia Institute for Marine Science, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and Child Savers.
The foundation’s typical grant size is small relative to its biggest awards: p25 is $22,000, median is $25,000, and p75 is $50,000. The recent list also includes larger institutional grants, including multiple $1 million awards and several six-figure gifts.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years in the recent grants list. Massey Cancer Center received $1 million grants in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, while Uva Engineering Foundation, Active Southern West Virginia, New Community School, Virginia Institute for Marine Science, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and Child Savers also repeat.
The foundation gives most often in Virginia. The data says 86% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and recent recipient cities include Richmond, Charlottesville, Blacksburg, Henrico, and Gloucester Point. Beckley, WV is the main out-of-state city shown in the recent grants list.
Many of the recent grants are marked unrestricted, including the repeated awards to Massey Cancer Center, Uva Engineering Foundation, Active Southern West Virginia, New Community School, Virginia Institute for Marine Science, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and Child Savers. That pattern suggests flexible institutional support is common.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MASSEY CANCER CENTER | RICHMOND, VA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MASSEY CANCER CENTER | RICHMOND, VA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ACTIVE SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA | BECKLEY, WV | $350,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ACTIVE SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA | BECKLEY, WV | $350,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL | RICHMOND, VA | $160,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL | RICHMOND, VA | $160,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHILD SAVERS | RICHMOND, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VIRGINIA INSTITUTE FOR MARINE SCIENCE | GLOUCESTER POINT, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHILD SAVERS | RICHMOND, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UVA ENGINEERING FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE FOUNDATION | GIOUCESTER POINT, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN | HENRICO, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UVA ENGINEERING FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN | RICHMOND, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FEEDMORE | RICHMOND, VA | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UVA MCINTIRE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UVA MCINTIRE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $75,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS - VIRGINIA CAPITAL CHAPTER | RICHMOND, VA | $70,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS -VIRGINIA CAPITAL CHAPTER | RICHMOND, VA | $70,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VIRGINIA FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT COLLEGES | RICHMOND, VA | $65,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE VIRGINIA HOME | RICHMOND, VA | $55,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CANCER RETREAT CENTER | RICHMOND, VA | $55,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CROSS OVER MINISTRY | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE HEALING PLACE | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VMI FOUNDAION MEMO GEN JH BINFORD PEAY ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND | LEXINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC - HELP PROGRAM | HUNTINGTON, WV | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CARITAS MEMO THE HEALING PLACE | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - HEART OF VIRGINIA COUNCIL | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE | LEXINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VIRGINA TECH FOUNDATION | BLACKSBURG, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - HEART OF VIRGINIA COUNCIL | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FEEDMORE | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | HUNTINGTON, WV | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY TECH | BECKLEY, WV | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VCU ENGINEERING SCHOOL FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAYMONT FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HAMPTON UNIVERSITY | HAMPTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VIRGINIA TECH FOUNDATION INC | BLACKSBURG, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MAYMONT FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND | UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HAMPTON UNIVERSITY | HAMPTON, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CROSSOVER HEALTHCARE MINISTRY | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MORGANTOWN, WV | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VCU ENGINNERING SCHOOL FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | RICHMOND, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ELIJAH HOUSE ACADEMY | RICHMOND, VA | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | BLUEFIELD, WV | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ELIJAH HOUSE ACADEMY | RICHMOND, VA | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
MASSEY CANCER CENTER
$1,000,000UNRESTRICTED
MASSEY CANCER CENTER
$1,000,000UNRESTRICTED
ACTIVE SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
$350,000UNRESTRICTED
ACTIVE SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA
$350,000UNRESTRICTED
NEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL
$160,000UNRESTRICTED
NEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL
$160,000UNRESTRICTED
CHILD SAVERS
UNRESTRICTED
VIRGINIA INSTITUTE FOR MARINE SCIENCE
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
CHILD SAVERS
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
UVA ENGINEERING FOUNDATION
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE FOUNDATION
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
UVA ENGINEERING FOUNDATION
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
FEEDMORE
$75,000UNRESTRICTED
UVA MCINTIRE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE
$75,000UNRESTRICTED
UVA MCINTIRE SCHOOL OF COMMERCE
$75,000UNRESTRICTED
AMERICAN RED CROSS - VIRGINIA CAPITAL CHAPTER
$70,000UNRESTRICTED
AMERICAN RED CROSS -VIRGINIA CAPITAL CHAPTER
$70,000UNRESTRICTED
VIRGINIA FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT COLLEGES
$65,000UNRESTRICTED
THE VIRGINIA HOME
$55,000UNRESTRICTED
CANCER RETREAT CENTER
$55,000UNRESTRICTED
CROSS OVER MINISTRY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
THE HEALING PLACE
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
VMI FOUNDAION MEMO GEN JH BINFORD PEAY ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FUND
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC - HELP PROGRAM
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
CARITAS MEMO THE HEALING PLACE
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - HEART OF VIRGINIA COUNCIL
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
VIRGINA TECH FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - HEART OF VIRGINIA COUNCIL
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
FEEDMORE
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY TECH
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
VCU ENGINEERING SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
MAYMONT FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
VIRGINIA TECH FOUNDATION INC
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
MAYMONT FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
CROSSOVER HEALTHCARE MINISTRY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
VCU ENGINNERING SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
$50,000UNRESTRICTED
ELIJAH HOUSE ACADEMY
$40,000UNRESTRICTED
BLUEFIELD STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC
$40,000UNRESTRICTED
ELIJAH HOUSE ACADEMY
$40,000UNRESTRICTED