The Virga Foundation concentrates on environmental conservation in the U.S. West and Indigenous-led community strengthening, while also supporting social justice, immigrant rights, and grassroots media. Grants are typically unrestricted and program-general, aimed at advocacy, land protection, cultural preservation, and grassroots service providers rather than capital projects. The foundation favors regionally focused, mission-driven nonprofits (including tribal and Indigenous organizations) and gives both to established advocacy groups and smaller community-based groups.
Virga Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored in environmental conservation in the U.S. West, especially land protection tied to Indigenous-led coalitions and tribal organizations. A $62,400 unrestricted grant to Grand Canyon Trust Inc in Flagstaff, Arizona, is the largest recent award on file, and it sits alongside multiple grants to groups working around Bears Ears, the Colorado Plateau, and related public-land issues. The foundation also supports Indigenous community strengthening and cultural preservation, with grants to the Hopi Foundation Lomasuminagwtukwsiumani in Kykotsmovi, Arizona, Friends of Cedar Mesa in Bluff, Utah, and Youth Empowerment Services for Dine Bikeyah Inc in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. Alongside conservation and tribal work, the foundation backs grassroots community organizations and media. It gave Make the Road New York $50,000 in Brooklyn for general and unrestricted support, and it supported Community Radio Project in Cortez, Colorado, with repeat general grants across 2023 and 2025. The grant list also includes support for immigrant rights, local service providers, and public-interest communications, showing a mix of advocacy, cultural preservation, and community-level assistance rather than a single program silo.
Land and conservation advocacy is a core thread. Virga Foundation gave $35,000 to Resources Legacy Fund in Sacramento to support the Bear’s Ears Inter-tribal Coalition, and it also backed Borderlands Restoration Network in Patagonia, Arizona, with a $20,000 general grant. Indigenous-led cultural and community work appears in several awards. The Hopi Foundation Lomasuminagwtukwsiumani received $35,000 in Kykotsmovi, Arizona, while Flower Hill Institute in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, received $25,000 for general support. The foundation also supports grassroots media and local public-interest institutions. Community Radio Project in Cortez, Colorado, received $25,000 in 2025 and $15,000 in 2023, and Charities Aid Foundation America in Alexandria, Virginia, received $15,000 for the Tri Duc Fund for the Book Station project. These grants show a preference for operating support and targeted project support in community-based settings.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $500, the median is $1,000, and the 75th percentile is $2,625. The recent list also includes larger awards, but the center of gravity is low-dollar support spread across many recipients. Most listed grants are general and unrestricted, which suggests flexible operating support is a common mode. Recurring support appears in the record: Community Radio Project received grants in both 2023 and 2025, and several organizations appear with multiple awards in the broader recent list. Virga Foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$669K
$9.5M
$457K
$836K
Most grants fall between $500 and $3K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$500
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$3K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CO.
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Distributed portfolio of many modest to mid-sized grants (mostly $10k–$62k) with a mix of repeat and one-off grantees; grants are frequently general/unrestricted and directed to advocacy, grassroots, and tribal organizations rather than large institutional endowments.
Notable grantees: Grand Canyon Trust, Make the Road New York, Friends of Cedar Mesa, Resources Legacy Fund, Community Radio Project
Virga Foundation gives nationally, but the recent record is heavily weighted toward the U.S. West. Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico appear repeatedly, with multiple recipients in Cortez, Kykotsmovi, and other regional hubs. New York also stands out in the recipient mix, including Brooklyn and New York City grants. The distribution is entirely domestic in the data provided: 66 grants, or 100%, went to U.S. recipients. No grants in the recent list are shown for the foundation’s Delaware headquarters state.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on environmental conservation, Indigenous-led community strengthening, grassroots immigrant rights, and community media. Examples include general support to Grand Canyon Trust Inc, The Hopi Foundation Lomasuminagwtukwsiumani, Make the Road New York, and Community Radio Project.
Yes. Many recent awards are labeled general and unrestricted, including $62,400 to Grand Canyon Trust Inc, $50,000 to Make the Road New York, and $35,000 to Friends of Cedar Mesa. The pattern suggests unrestricted operating support is a common funding approach.
Yes. Community Radio Project received grants in 2023 and 2025, and the foundation’s recent record includes multiple awards to organizations working in the same regional and thematic areas. That indicates some continuing relationships rather than only one-time grants.
The top state by grant count is New York, even though the foundation’s headquarters are in Wilmington, Delaware. The recent list also shows many awards in Western states, especially Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRAND CANYON TRUST INC | FLAGSTAFF, AZ | $62,400 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| RESOURCES LEGACY FUND | SACRAMENTO, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | To support the Bear's Ears Inter-tribal Coalition |
| THE HOPI FOUNDATION LOMASUMINAGWTUKWSIUMANI | KYKOTSMOVI, AZ | $35,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FRIENDS OF CEDAR MESA | BLUFF, UT | $35,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| NACA-INSPIRED SCHOOLS NETWORK | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $30,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FLOWER HILL INSTITUTE | JEMEZ PUEBLO, NM | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SERVICES FOR DINE BIKEYAH INC | TEEC NOS POS, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| COMMUNITY RADIO PROJECT | CORTEZ, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| BORDERLANDS RESTORATION NETWORK | PATAGONIA, AZ | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MANCOS COMMON PRESS INC | MANCOS, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MONTEZUMA LAND CONSERVANCY | CORTEZ, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | Tri Duc Fund for the Book Station project |
| GREATER GOOD CHARITIES | SEATTLE, WA | $15,000 | 2025 | To support Wildlife at Risk |
| INDIAN COUNTRY GRASSROOTS SUPPORT | FARMINGTON, NM | $15,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| THE PINON PROJECT | CORTEZ, CO | $15,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| HERITAGE LANDS COLLECTIVE | EVERGREEN, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| KUTE INC | IGNACIO, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CENTER FOR MEDIA JUSTICE | OAKLAND, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| TO NIZHONI ANI | KYKOTSMOVI, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| THE CORTEZ CENTER INC | CORTEZ, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| ATABEY OUTDOORS | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| BRIDGE EMERGENCY SHELTER | CORTEZ, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| EVLOVES | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| SAIGON CHILDRENS CHARITY USA | SAN JOSE, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| THE RECONCILIATION CENTER INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| PROTECT OUR WINTERS | BOULDER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | To support Full Circle Expeditions |
| NAVAJO HEALTH FOUNDATION-SAGE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN | GANADO, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MYRIAD USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | for UK-Med to directly support crisis in Gaza |
| VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $7,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| ONWARD A LEGACY FOUNDATION | CORTEZ, CO | $6,000 | 2025 | To support the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project on behalf of Onward |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| PALESTINE CHILDRENS RELIEF FUND | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| OUTDOOR AFRO | OAKLAND, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FOUR CORNERS RISING | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| ONWARD A LEGACY FOUNDATION | CORTEZ, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | Dolores Public Library Fund |
| INTEROOTS INITIATIVE | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | To support the Iinah Institute |
| INDIGENOUS LIFE WAYS | GALLUP, NM | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| ALL HANDS AND HEARTS SMART RESPONSE INC | MATTAPOISETT, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| THE GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER | CORTEZ, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| GREENING YOUTH FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHARITIES AID FOUNDATION AMERICA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | For Palestine Red Crescent Society - ongoing aid to Gaza and the West Bank |
| DOLORES RIVER BOATING ADVOCATES | DOLORES, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FORGE PROJECT ASSOCIATION | ANCRAM, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| PROJECT ELEVEN HUNDRED | CASTLE VALLEY, UT | $4,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MANCOS VALLEY RESOURCES | MANCOS, CO | $3,000 | 2025 | To support the Mancos Gear Share |
| CYCLE KIDS INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $3,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FOUR CORNERS FOOD COALITION | CORTEZ, CO | $3,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| DOLORES ROTARY CLUB FOUNDATION INC | DOLORES, CO | $2,000 | 2025 | Charitable Event |
| AMERICAN WHITEWATER | SPRINGFIELD, OR | $2,000 | 2025 | To support the River Radius Podcast |
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SERVICES FOR DINE BIKEYAH INC
$25,000General & Unrestricted
COMMUNITY RADIO PROJECT
$25,000General & Unrestricted
MANCOS COMMON PRESS INC
$20,000General & Unrestricted
INDIAN COUNTRY GRASSROOTS SUPPORT
$15,000General & Unrestricted
HERITAGE LANDS COLLECTIVE
$10,000General & Unrestricted
THE CORTEZ CENTER INC
$10,000General & Unrestricted
ATABEY OUTDOORS
$10,000General & Unrestricted
BRIDGE EMERGENCY SHELTER
$10,000General & Unrestricted
EVLOVES
$10,000General & Unrestricted
SAIGON CHILDRENS CHARITY USA
$10,000General & Unrestricted
NAVAJO HEALTH FOUNDATION-SAGE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN
$10,000General & Unrestricted
To support the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project on behalf of Onward
FOUR CORNERS RISING
$5,000General & Unrestricted
INTEROOTS INITIATIVE
$5,000To support the Iinah Institute
THE GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER
$5,000General & Unrestricted
GREENING YOUTH FOUNDATION INC
$5,000General & Unrestricted
For Palestine Red Crescent Society - ongoing aid to Gaza and the West Bank
DOLORES RIVER BOATING ADVOCATES
$5,000General & Unrestricted
FORGE PROJECT ASSOCIATION
$4,000General & Unrestricted
PROJECT ELEVEN HUNDRED
$4,000General & Unrestricted
MANCOS VALLEY RESOURCES
$3,000To support the Mancos Gear Share
FOUR CORNERS FOOD COALITION
$3,000General & Unrestricted
DOLORES ROTARY CLUB FOUNDATION INC
$2,000Charitable Event
AMERICAN WHITEWATER
$2,000To support the River Radius Podcast