The Landmark Foundation is a regionally focused funder concentrated on strengthening higher education, children's services, cultural institutions, and local environmental restoration in the Norfolk/SE Virginia area. They make relatively large, strategic grants to anchor institutions—public university, hospitals, museums, environmental nonprofits and community centers—often providing multi-grant support to repeat beneficiaries. Their giving mixes capital and program support for civic assets that serve youth, education access, arts & heritage, and river/estuary restoration. The portfolio reflects a civic-investment approach aimed at building community infrastructure rather than one-off small projects.
The Landmark Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by a $2,000,000 grant to Norfolk Botanical Gardens in 2024, paired with repeated seven-figure support for Norfolk State University and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. That pattern points to a funder that backs anchor institutions with long-term civic roles in Norfolk and the broader Hampton Roads area. Across the recent grants list, the foundation supports higher education, children’s services, cultural institutions, and environmental restoration, with awards ranging from $30,000 at the 25th percentile to $300,000 at the 75th percentile. The foundation’s portfolio shows substantial support for institutions that serve residents across education, health, arts, and local environmental stewardship. Access College Foundation received $1,750,000 in 2025 and $445,000 in 2024, while Elizabeth River Project received $1,510,000 in 2023 for watershed work. The combination of repeat grants and large operating-scale awards suggests a funder building capacity for organizations that function as civic infrastructure. Norfolk appears often in the recipient list, but the grantmaking extends to nearby cities such as Portsmouth, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake.
In higher education, The Landmark Foundation backed Access College Foundation with $1,750,000 in 2025 and $445,000 in 2024, and gave $500,000 to Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation in 2023. Norfolk State University also received $1,000,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing sustained support for local postsecondary capacity. Children’s health and youth services are another clear thread. The foundation awarded $1,150,000 in both 2023 and 2024 to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. In 2025 it gave $750,000 each to Next Step to Success and William a Hunton YMCA, and $500,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia. Cultural and heritage institutions also receive sizable support. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation received $1,000,000 in 2024, and Norfolk Botanical Gardens received $2,000,000 in 2024. Environmental work appears through a $1,510,000 grant to Elizabeth River Project in 2023.
Typical grants cluster at $30,000 for the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile, with many awards far above that range for anchor institutions. The recipient list shows repeat support across multiple years: Norfolk State University, Access College Foundation, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, United Way of South Hampton Roads, and the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake public health departments each appear in more than one year. The foundation is not a funder of individuals and does not make program-related investments. The pattern is institution-centered, with recurring awards that look more like ongoing operating or program support than one-time seed funding.
$8.2M
$98M
$2.5M
$8.4M
Most grants fall between $30K and $300K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$30K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$300K
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Relatively few, large grants concentrated in the Norfolk/Hampton Roads region; repeat multi-grant relationships with anchor institutions; mix of capital and program support prioritizing institutional strengthening over many small awards.
Notable grantees: Norfolk State University, Children's Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Elizabeth River Project, Access College Foundation
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Virginia, which accounts for 92% of grants. Norfolk is the most frequent recipient city, with other grants landing in Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Williamsburg. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 116 grants in the United States and none elsewhere in the recipient data. The footprint reflects a Hampton Roads focus rather than a broad regional or national spread.
The recent grants list shows support for higher education institutions, children’s health and youth-service organizations, cultural institutions, and environmental restoration groups. Examples include Norfolk State University, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, and Elizabeth River Project.
The grant-size distribution centers at $30,000 for the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile. Several awards are much larger than that, including seven-figure grants to anchor institutions.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Norfolk State University, Access College Foundation, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, United Way of South Hampton Roads, and both the Virginia Beach and Chesapeake public health departments.
Its giving is concentrated in Virginia, which accounts for 92% of grants. Recent recipient cities include Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Williamsburg.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments, according to the provided data.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $1,750,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL GRANTS |
| WILLIAM A HUNTON YMCA | NORFOLK, VA | $750,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| NEXT STEP TO SUCCESS | NORFOLK, VA | $750,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| MERCY CHEFS | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $450,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| VIRGINIA BEACH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $300,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| CHESAPEAKE HEALTH DEPARTMENT | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $300,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL GRANTS |
| HAMPTON ROADS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $200,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF THE KING'S DAUGHTERS | NORFOLK, VA | $175,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| HAMPTON ROADS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE | NORFOLK, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE | NORFOLK, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| TIDEWATER COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL GRANTS |
| JOY MINISTRIES | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| AN ACHIEVABLE DREAM VIRGINIA BEACH | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $75,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| VIRGINIA FOUNDATION FOR INDEPENDENT COLLEGES | RICHMOND, VA | $65,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| FORKIDS INC | NORFOLK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF HAMPTON ROADS | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| URBAN RENEWAL CENTER | NORFOLK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | ARTS & MUSEUMS |
| HAMPTON ROADS EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE | NORFOLK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| UNION MISSION MINISTRIES | NORFOLK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| HORIZONS HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| SAMARITAN HOUSE | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| PATHWAY TO PROMISE | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| JUDEO - CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE UP CENTER | NORFOLK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| TOGETHER WE CAN FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN | LAS VEGAS, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| ALL DISTRICT READS | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| NEW VISION YOUTH SERVICES INC | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| EVMS FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| ALBEMARLE AREA UNITED WAY | ELIZABETH CITY, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| CIVIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | NORFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| NANSEMOND RIVER PRESERVATION ALLIANCE | SUFFOLK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | CONSERVATION SERVICES |
| VIRGINIA CENTER FOR INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES | RICHMOND, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| VIRGINIA PUBLIC ACCESS PROJECT | RICHMOND, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS | NORFOLK, VA | $2,000,000 | 2024 | ARTS & MUSEUMS |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF THE KING'S DAUGHTERS | NORFOLK, VA | $1,150,000 | 2024 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL GRANTS |
| COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $1,000,000 | 2024 | ARTS & MUSEUMS |
| ODU EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $500,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL GRANTS |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $450,000 | 2024 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $445,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| HOSPICE HOUSE OF HAMPTON ROADS | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $300,000 | 2024 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| CHESAPEAKE HEALTH DEPARTMENT | CHESAPEAKE, VA | $300,000 | 2024 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| VIRGINIA BEACH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $300,000 | 2024 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| AN ACHIEVABLE DREAM VIRGINIA BEACH | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $100,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000EDUCATIONAL GRANTS
WILLIAM A HUNTON YMCA
$750,000HUMAN SERVICES
HUMAN SERVICES
VIRGINIA BEACH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
$300,000HUMAN SERVICES
CHESAPEAKE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
$300,000HUMAN SERVICES
HAMPTON ROADS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
$100,000HUMAN SERVICES
TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE
$100,000HUMAN SERVICES
AN ACHIEVABLE DREAM VIRGINIA BEACH
$100,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
FORKIDS INC
$50,000HUMAN SERVICES
HAMPTON ROADS EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE
$50,000HUMAN SERVICES
PATHWAY TO PROMISE
$50,000HUMAN SERVICES
TOGETHER WE CAN FOUNDATION
$30,000HUMAN SERVICES
GIRLS ON THE RUN
$25,000HUMAN SERVICES
ALL DISTRICT READS
$25,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
NEW VISION YOUTH SERVICES INC
$25,000HUMAN SERVICES
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
$5,000HUMAN SERVICES
NANSEMOND RIVER PRESERVATION ALLIANCE
$5,000CONSERVATION SERVICES
NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS
$2,000,000ARTS & MUSEUMS
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000EDUCATIONAL GRANTS
CHESAPEAKE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
$300,000HUMAN SERVICES
VIRGINIA BEACH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
$300,000HUMAN SERVICES
AN ACHIEVABLE DREAM VIRGINIA BEACH
$100,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS