Shearwater Foundation focuses its giving on Virginia-based educational and cultural institutions, favoring major one-off gifts to universities, independent schools, and regional history museums. Its grants support both higher education access (including scholarship/college-access programs) and preservation/presentation of Virginia history and culture. The foundation appears to prioritize established institutions in its home state rather than broad national or small community-based nonprofits.
Shearwater Foundation Inc made its largest recent gift to Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond, a $1,510,000 grant in 2025. That scale is typical of the foundation’s work in Virginia, where it supports established institutions tied to education and cultural preservation. Norfolk State University received $1,500,000 in 2025, and Access College Foundation received $735,000 the same year, pointing to a strong emphasis on higher education access alongside heritage work. The foundation’s recent giving also reaches major state history institutions. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation received $525,000 in 2025, while VMI Foundation received $250,000 that year. Smaller awards appear as well, but the pattern is clear: Shearwater Foundation Inc favors one-off support for universities, college-access organizations, museums, and schools rather than broad, distributed grantmaking. Its grants often support the tax-exempt purposes of long-established Virginia organizations, especially in Norfolk and other parts of the Commonwealth.
Higher education is a major theme in the foundation’s portfolio. In 2025, Norfolk State University received $1,500,000, and Access College Foundation received $735,000; the same organization also received $10,000 in 2023 and $10,000 in 2024. Shearwater Foundation Inc also backs Virginia history and cultural institutions. Virginia Museum of History & Culture received $1,510,000 in 2025 and $10,000 in 2024, while Colonial Williamsburg Foundation received $525,000 in 2025 and $25,000 in both 2023 and 2024. A smaller but recurring line of support goes to independent education. Buckley Country Day School received $30,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation also funded VMI Foundation with $250,000 in 2025, reflecting support for military-linked higher education.
Shearwater Foundation Inc gives at a range centered on modest awards: the typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also shows several large, one-time grants in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Grantmaking appears to be institutional rather than individual, and the foundation does not make program-related investments. A few recipients recur across multiple years, including Buckley Country Day School, Access College Foundation, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation, United Way of South Hampton Roads, and The Up Center.
$4.7M
$16.6M
$27.8M
$4.8M
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small number of established regional institutions—large single grants rather than many small awards; occasional repeat or smaller gifts to familiar local schools.
Notable grantees: Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Norfolk State University, Access College Foundation, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, VMI Foundation
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Virginia: 88% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Virginia is also the top state by grant count. Norfolk appears repeatedly, with grants to Norfolk State University, Access College Foundation, Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation, United Way of South Hampton Roads, The Up Center, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, The Union Mission, and Norfolk Academy. Outside Norfolk, the foundation gave to Richmond, Williamsburg, Lexington, Portsmouth, and Mathews. All recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients.
The recent record shows support for Virginia-based educational and cultural institutions, including universities, college-access organizations, independent schools, museums, and history groups. Recipients include Norfolk State University, Access College Foundation, Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and VMI Foundation.
Typical grants are $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile. The grant list also includes several much larger awards, including seven-figure gifts in 2025.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Buckley Country Day School in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Access College Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation, United Way of South Hampton Roads, and The Up Center across multiple years.
Virginia is the clear center of its giving. The data shows 88% of grants going to recipients in Virginia, and the top state by grant count is also Virginia.
The recent grants emphasize higher education access, university support, and Virginia history and culture. Examples include Norfolk State University, Access College Foundation, Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and VMI Foundation.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE | RICHMOND, VA | $1,510,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY | NORFOLK, VA | $1,500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $735,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $525,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| VMI FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| BUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | ROSLYN, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | RICHMOND, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| FOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VA | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| MATHEWS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MATHEWS, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF THE KING'S DAUGHTERS (CHKD) | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| ELIZABETH RIVER PROJECT | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NORFOLK ACADEMY | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE UNION MISSION | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE UP CENTER | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE DEERWOOD FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, MA | $7,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE MARINERS' MUSEUM AND PARK | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION | YORKTOWN, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| BOOMER ESIASON FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| SLOVER LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| BUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | ROSLYN, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NORFOLK ACADEMY | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE UP CENTER | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | RICHMOND, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF THE KING'S DAUGHTERS (CHKD) | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE UNION MISSION | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| ELIZABETH RIVER PROJECT | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| FOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VA | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE | RICHMOND, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| MATHEWS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MATHEWS, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE DEERWOOD FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, MA | $7,500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| THE MARINERS' MUSEUM AND PARK | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION | YORKTOWN, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE
$1,510,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,500,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION
$525,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
BUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$30,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE
$25,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
THE SALVATION ARMY
$10,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
MATHEWS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$10,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NORFOLK ACADEMY
$10,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
THE UP CENTER
$10,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
THE DEERWOOD FOUNDATION
$7,500TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS
$5,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
THE MARINERS' MUSEUM AND PARK
$5,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$5,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
$5,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
SLOVER LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$1,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
BUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$30,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE
$25,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NORFOLK ACADEMY
$10,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
THE SALVATION ARMY
$10,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
THE DEERWOOD FOUNDATION
$7,500TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
THE MARINERS' MUSEUM AND PARK
$5,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
$5,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$5,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS
$5,000TO SUPPORT TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION