The Nettie L and Charles L Wiley Foundation concentrates its giving on local youth and K–12 education in the Northern Neck/Lancaster County, VA area. The foundation makes a small number of sizeable grants, often repeated to the same local organizations, prioritizing children’s programming and school-related support that strengthens community services for youth.
Highly concentrated: few (4) grants totaling $323,500, with large, repeat grants to a primary local partner (Northern Neck Family YMCA) and targeted funding to a local education foundation.
The Nettie L and Charles L Wiley Foundation stands out for a tightly focused pattern of local support for young children in Virginia’s lower Northern Neck, with repeated grants to a small set of organizations over multiple years. Its recent awards show a preference for programs that serve children through education, enrichment, health, and recreation, especially in Lancaster County and nearby communities. The foundation also funds scholarships and loans, linking its philanthropic work to student preparation and local school staffing. Among the largest recent grants is $110,000 to Northern Neck Family YMCA in Kilmarnock for children’s programs, followed by $67,000 to Lancaster County VA Education Fdn for education. The foundation has also given $50,000 to Northern Neck Free Health Clinic for health and $50,000 to Boys & Girls Club of the Nn for children’s education, showing that it supports both direct services and school-related initiatives. Other grants reach museums, academies, food banks, and health-focused family services, but the common thread is benefit to children and school-aged youth in a defined local area.
Early childhood education is a central theme. The foundation gave $50,000 to Rappahannock Art League for children’s programs and $20,000 to Chesapeake Academy for children’s programs, both in Kilmarnock. Health and well-being for children also appears in recent grants. It awarded $44,790 to Healthy Harvest Food Bank for children’s health and $28,240 to Three Rivers Healthy Families for children’s health, supporting food access and family health services. Scholarship support is another clear lane. In 2025, the foundation gave $47,500 to Rappahannock Community College for scholarship and $20,730 to First Spark for scholarship, alongside its separate individual scholarship and loan programs for students. Cultural and community enrichment shows up as well. The foundation granted $35,000 to Lancaster Virginia Hist Society for children’s programs and $15,810 to Northern Neck Farm Museum for children’s programs, linking local institutions to youth-serving work.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $2,759, a median of $6,500, and a p75 of $20,000. Recent giving includes both smaller awards and a few large commitments, but the overall pattern is steady support for repeat local partners rather than a broad national portfolio. The foundation funds individuals through scholarships and loans, and it also makes project-based grants to nonprofits. Several programs accept unsolicited requests, including scholarship and loan applications; one scholarship track reviews applications in July, and teacher loans are structured as forgivable after required years taught in Lancaster or Northumberland schools.
$766K
$6.6M
$780K
$894K
Most grants fall between $3K and $20K, with a median of $7K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$7K
75th Percentile
$20K
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Notable grantees: Northern Neck Family YMCA, Lancaster County VA Education Foundation, Local Northern Neck youth-serving organizations (representative)
The foundation gives almost entirely in Virginia, with 96% of grants to recipients in the state. Recent grants cluster in Kilmarnock, including Northern Neck Family YMCA, Lancaster County VA Education Fdn, Northern Neck Free Health Clinic, Rappahannock Art League, and Boys & Girls Club of the Nn. Other Virginia recipients include Saluda, Warsaw, Lancaster, Lively, Irvington, Heathsville, and Newport News. Grant patterns also point to the lower Northern Neck and Lancaster County as the core service area, with Lancaster County receiving preference in several grant programs.
It focuses on children’s programming, youth development, K–12 education support, and community services for young children in the lower Northern Neck of Virginia. Recent grants include support for education, health, scholarships, preschool, and cultural enrichment for children and students.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals through scholarships and loans, including scholarships and loans for students and forgivable teacher loans for those who plan to teach in Lancaster or Northumberland schools.
The typical grant size is $2,759 at the 25th percentile, $6,500 at the median, and $20,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards include both smaller grants and larger commitments to repeat local partners.
Yes. The foundation offers scholarship and loan programs for students, with applications, recommendations, and transcripts required by March 31 for one track. Another scholarship track reviews applications in July and is aimed at students pursuing undergraduate or graduate study in fields related to young children’s education and well-being.
Its grants are overwhelmingly local. Ninety-six percent of grants go to recipients in Virginia, and Kilmarnock appears repeatedly in the recent grants list alongside other lower Northern Neck communities such as Saluda, Warsaw, Lancaster, Lively, Irvington, Heathsville, and Newport News.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAPPAHANNOCK COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SALUDA, VA | $207,909 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NORTHERN NECK FAMILY YMCA | KILMARNOCK, VA | $100,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| CHESAPEAKE ACADEMY | IRVINGTON, VA | $55,825 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE NN | KILMARNOCK, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S EDUCATION |
| FIRST SPARK | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NORTHERN NECK FREE HEALTH CLINIC | KILMARNOCK, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | HEALTH |
| HEALTHY HARVEST FOOD BANK | WARSAW, VA | $47,355 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S HEALTH |
| LANCASTER COUNTY VA EDUCATION FDN | KILMARNOCK, VA | $37,138 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| THREE RIVERS HEALTHY FAMILIES | SALUDA, VA | $37,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S HEALTH |
| LIBERTY UNIVERSITY | LYNCHBURG, VA | $20,152 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | LIVELY, VA | $20,000 | 2026 | PRESCHOOL |
| RAPPAHANNOCK FOUNDATION FOR ARTS | KILMARNOCK, VA | $15,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| LANCASTER VIRGINIA HIST SOCIETY | LANCASTER, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| LANCASTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY | KILMARNOCK, VA | $8,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY | NORFOLK, VA | $6,828 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| STEAMBOAT ERA MUSEUM | IRVINGTON, VA | $6,500 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| RADFORD UNIVERSITY | RADFORD, VA | $5,950 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| LANCASTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | KILMARNOCK, VA | $5,500 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| THE HAVEN | WARSAW, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S HEALTH |
| NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY | NORFOLK, VA | $4,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| VIRGINIA TECH | BLACKSURG, VA | $3,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH | IRVINGTON, VA | $3,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| RAPPAHANNOCK CONCERT ASSOC | HEATHSVILLE, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE, NC | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NC STATE UNIVERSITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| REEDVILLE FISHERMEN'S MUSEUM | REEDVILLE, VA | $2,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $1,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON | FREDERICKSBURG, VA | $1,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| COPPIN STATE | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $1,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| TOYS FOR TOTS | LANCASTER, VA | $1,000 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| NATIONAL CHILD SAFETY COUNCIL | LANCASTER, VA | $500 | 2026 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| NORTHERN NECK FAMILY YMCA | KILMARNOCK, VA | $110,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE NN | KILMARNOCK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S EDUCATION |
| NORTHERN NECK FREE HEALTH CLINIC | KILMARNOCK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| RAPPAHANNOCK COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SALUDA, VA | $47,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| HEALTHY HARVEST FOOD BANK | WARSAW, VA | $44,790 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S HEALTH |
| RAPPAHANNOCK ART LEAGUE | KILMARNOCK, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | CHILDRES'S PROGRAMS |
| LANCASTER COUNTY VA EDUCATION FDN | KILMARNOCK, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| THREE RIVERS HEALTHY FAMILIES | SALUDA, VA | $28,240 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S HEALTH |
| FIRST SPARK | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $20,730 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | LIVELY, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | PRESCHOOL |
| CHESAPEAKE ACADEMY | IRVINGTON, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| LANCASTER VIRGINIA HIST SOCIETY | LANCASTER, VA | $18,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| NORTHERN NECK FARM MUSEUM | HEATHSVILLE, VA | $15,810 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| LIBERTY UNIVERSITY | LYNCHBURG, VA | $12,594 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| THE HAVEN | WARSAW, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S HEALTH |
| LANCASTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | KILMARNOCK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| STEAMBOAT ERA MUSEUM | IRVINGTON, VA | $8,925 | 2025 | CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS |
| JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | HARRISONBURG, VA | $8,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
RAPPAHANNOCK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$207,909SCHOLARSHIP
NORTHERN NECK FAMILY YMCA
$100,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
CHESAPEAKE ACADEMY
$55,825CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE NN
$50,000CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
NORTHERN NECK FREE HEALTH CLINIC
$50,000HEALTH
LANCASTER COUNTY VA EDUCATION FDN
$37,138EDUCATION
THREE RIVERS HEALTHY FAMILIES
$37,000CHILDREN'S HEALTH
BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000PRESCHOOL
RAPPAHANNOCK FOUNDATION FOR ARTS
$15,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
LANCASTER VIRGINIA HIST SOCIETY
$10,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
LANCASTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY
$8,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
$6,828SCHOLARSHIPS
STEAMBOAT ERA MUSEUM
$6,500CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
RADFORD UNIVERSITY
$5,950SCHOLARSHIPS
LANCASTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$5,500CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
THE HAVEN
$5,000CHILDREN'S HEALTH
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY
$4,000SCHOLARSHIPS
VIRGINIA TECH
$3,500SCHOLARSHIP
HISTORIC CHRIST CHURCH
$3,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
$2,500SCHOLARSHIPS
RAPPAHANNOCK CONCERT ASSOC
$2,500CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
NC STATE UNIVERSITY
$2,000SCHOLARSHIPS
REEDVILLE FISHERMEN'S MUSEUM
$2,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$1,500SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
$1,500SCHOLARSHIP
COPPIN STATE
$1,500SCHOLARSHIP
TOYS FOR TOTS
$1,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
NATIONAL CHILD SAFETY COUNCIL
$500CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
NORTHERN NECK FAMILY YMCA
$110,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE NN
$50,000CHILDREN'S EDUCATION
NORTHERN NECK FREE HEALTH CLINIC
$50,000HEALTH
RAPPAHANNOCK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$47,500SCHOLARSHIP
RAPPAHANNOCK ART LEAGUE
$40,000CHILDRES'S PROGRAMS
LANCASTER COUNTY VA EDUCATION FDN
$30,000EDUCATION
THREE RIVERS HEALTHY FAMILIES
$28,240CHILDREN'S HEALTH
BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000PRESCHOOL
CHESAPEAKE ACADEMY
$20,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
LANCASTER VIRGINIA HIST SOCIETY
$18,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
NORTHERN NECK FARM MUSEUM
$15,810CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
THE HAVEN
$10,000CHILDREN'S HEALTH
LANCASTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$10,000CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
STEAMBOAT ERA MUSEUM
$8,925CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
$8,000SCHOLARSHIPS