The Barr Foundation concentrates the bulk of its giving on medical research, with a particularly strong and repeated commitment to breast cancer research. It also makes modest, local investments in cultural institutions in Virginia — primarily museums and performing arts. Grants are mission-support gifts rather than restricted program funding, indicating general operating support.
Highly concentrated giving: a few mid-to-large grants with one dominant recurring grantee (Breast Cancer Research Foundation) that accounts for the majority of dollars, supplemented by smaller, one-off local cultural grants.
Notable grantees: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, University of Virginia - Fralin Museum, Virginia Arts Festival
The Barr Foundation’s largest recent grant went to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with awards of $75,000 in 2023, $37,500 in 2024, and $25,000 in 2025. That repeated support points to a strong medical-research emphasis, especially breast cancer research, alongside a smaller but steady stream of gifts to Virginia cultural institutions. Recent recipients also include the University of Virginia - Fralin Museum, Virginia Arts Festival, and Chrysler Museum, showing that the foundation’s funding reaches both research organizations and arts groups. The grants are framed as support for the mission of the organization, which indicates general operating or core support rather than narrowly restricted project funding. The Barr Foundation’s recent activity also includes support for Planned Parenthood, Whro, Jewish Museum Contemporary Arts Council, and the Metropolitan Museum, suggesting a mix of health, education, and cultural giving. Overall, its pattern is relatively concentrated: a few grantees receive repeated awards across multiple years, while the rest of the portfolio is spread across a wider set of mission-aligned nonprofits.
Breast cancer research is the clearest center of gravity in the recent record. The foundation gave $75,000 in 2023, $37,500 in 2024, and $25,000 in 2025 to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, all for mission support. In Virginia arts and culture, it supported Virginia Arts Festival with $15,800 in 2023, $10,800 in 2024, and $20,800 in 2025, showing repeated annual support. Museum giving appears in several forms, including $40,000 to University of Virginia - Fralin Museum in 2024 and $14,050 to Chrysler Museum in 2025, both mission-support grants. The foundation also made smaller awards to Whro, Virginia Symphony, and Beth El, indicating a broader interest in cultural and community institutions beyond a single venue or discipline.
The Barr Foundation’s typical gifts are small relative to its largest awards: p25 is $250, median is $500, and p75 is $1,000. That sits alongside a few much larger grants, including repeated six-figure-scale support for the same medical-research grantee. The pattern shows recurring awards to the same organizations across multiple years rather than one-off gifts only. Grants are mission support, which points to unrestricted or core support. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$477K
$4.2M
$356K
$334K
Most grants fall between $250 and $1K, with a median of $500.
25th Percentile
$250
Median
$500
75th Percentile
$1K
About 33% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Giving is regional, with all recorded recipient-country grants going to the US. New York is the top state by grant count, while Virginia accounts for 32% of grants. Recipient cities that appear repeatedly include New York, Norfolk, Charlottesville, Virginia Beach, and Washington, DC. The Virginia cluster is visible in Norfolk especially, while New York appears frequently through medical and cultural recipients.
Its recent grants support breast cancer research, university-affiliated museums, regional performing arts, public media, and some civic or health organizations. Repeated recipients include Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Virginia Arts Festival, University of Virginia - Fralin Museum, and Virginia Symphony, all funded as mission support.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Virginia Arts Festival in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Whro in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The distribution is small at the center: p25 is $250, median is $500, and p75 is $1,000. The recent record also includes much larger mission-support grants, including $75,000 to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
New York is the top state by grant count, but Virginia still receives a substantial share of grants at 32%. Recipient cities in the record include New York, Norfolk, Charlottesville, and Virginia Beach.
The stated purpose across the recent grants is to support the mission of the organization. That wording appears on awards to research, arts, museum, media, and civic organizations, indicating a mission-support style of giving.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL | NORFOLK, VA | $20,800 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHRYSLER MUSEUM | NORFOLK, VA | $14,050 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BETH EL | NORFOLK, VA | $5,360 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WHRO | NORFOLK, VA | $5,300 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UKRAINIAN HUMANITY CENTER | CARNATION, WA | $4,100 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $4,100 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HOPEWELL FUNDGALVANIZE USA | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SE VIRGINIA | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $2,700 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA SYMPHONY | NORFOLK, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HORIZON HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,800 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FOR KIDS | NORFOLK, VA | $1,775 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PALESTINIAN CHILDREN RELIEF | LOS ANGELES, CA | $1,750 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $1,726 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA STAGE COMPANY | NORFOLK, VA | $1,700 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,360 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGN NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,225 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE | BRONXVILLE, NY | $1,200 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FASHION INSTITUTE MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| OHEF SHOLOM TEMPLE | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN CANCER ASSOCIATION | ATLANTA, GA | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART | RALEIGH, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HERMITAGE MUSEUM | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC TELEVISION | DURHAM, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WORLD MONUMENT FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATURAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | RICHMOND, VA | $860 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE | MONTGOMERY, AL | $800 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN'S SOCCER | NORFOLK, VA | $750 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORFOLK ACADEMY | NORFOLK, VA | $700 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $680 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $650 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $650 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA BEACH CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $625 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GROW NYC | NEW YORK, NY | $600 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM | NEW YORK, NY | $600 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF MODERN ART | NEW YORK, NY | $600 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PALESTINE LEGAL FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $550 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | NORFOLK, VA | $550 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $525 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| VIRGINIA FOUNDATION FOR THE HUMANITIES | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE | WASHINTON, DC | $500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION |
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$25,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL
$20,800TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHRYSLER MUSEUM
$14,050TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
BETH EL
$5,360TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
WHRO
$5,300TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
UKRAINIAN HUMANITY CENTER
$4,100TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM
$4,100TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
HOPEWELL FUNDGALVANIZE USA
$3,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SE VIRGINIA
$2,700TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$2,500TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
VIRGINIA SYMPHONY
$2,500TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
HORIZON HAMPTON ROADS
$2,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY
$1,800TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
FOR KIDS
$1,775TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
PALESTINIAN CHILDREN RELIEF
$1,750TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
$1,726TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
VIRGINIA STAGE COMPANY
$1,700TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
CLEVELAND CLINIC
$1,360TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
ROSENWALD PARK CAMPAIGN NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
$1,225TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE
$1,200TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
FASHION INSTITUTE MUSEUM
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
OHEF SHOLOM TEMPLE
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN CANCER ASSOCIATION
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
HERMITAGE MUSEUM
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC TELEVISION
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
WORLD MONUMENT FUND
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATURAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION
$1,000TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
VIRGINIA HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
$860TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE
$800TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE WOMEN'S SOCCER
$750TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
NORFOLK ACADEMY
$700TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
$680TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
$650TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND
$650TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
VIRGINIA BEACH CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER
$625TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
GROW NYC
$600TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
$600TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
$600TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
PALESTINE LEGAL FUND
$550TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$550TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
$525TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
VIRGINIA FOUNDATION FOR THE HUMANITIES
$500TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$500TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION
$500TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
$500TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION