An independent grant-making endowment dedicated to improving the quality of Virginia's environment through strategic grantmaking focused on water quality, Chesapeake Bay restoration, land conservation and sustainable land use, environmental literacy and public awareness, climate adaptation, and other emerging environmental issues.
Virginia Environmental Endowment’s recent giving is shaped by large, place-based awards for water quality and river restoration in the James River watershed. The biggest grant in the data is $1,152,830 to Chesapeake Bay Foundation for buffer restoration in the upper James River watershed, followed by $889,700 to James River Association for riparian and living shoreline implementation in the middle and lower James River region. That pattern fits the foundation’s broader mission of improving Virginia’s environment through strategic grantmaking in water quality, Chesapeake Bay restoration, land conservation, environmental literacy, climate adaptation, and emerging environmental issues. The foundation also supports implementation work beyond a single watershed. It awarded $554,232 to Sustainable Chesapeake for manure injection in the James River basin and $225,554 to Wetlands Watch for land conservation and floodplain management capacity in western Virginia. Smaller grants show a mix of restoration, conservation planning, and environmental engagement, including trail restoration, water quality monitoring, and policy work. Across the list, the foundation backs both on-the-ground projects and organizations building the capacity to carry them out.
Water quality is a clear throughline. Virginia Environmental Endowment gave $539,291 to James River Association for "A Fishable, Swimmable, and Drinkable James River," and $52,500 to Rivanna Conservation Alliance for water quality monitoring in the Rivanna River. In the James River basin, it also funded Sustainable Chesapeake at $89,517 for implementation of manure injection in the watershed, reflecting an emphasis on agricultural pollution reduction. The foundation also supports habitat and landscape protection. It gave $406,302 to Chesapeake Bay Foundation for riparian buffer implementation in the upper James River region and $196,095 to Trout Unlimited for stream restoration, riparian buffer, and conservation planning. Environmental education and workforce development appear alongside restoration: Nature Forward received $80,000 for environmental education and engagement in underserved Northern Virginia communities, and Appalachian Conservation Corps received $42,400 for training young women for conservation careers.
$2.6M
$32.4M
$3.8M
$3.3M
Most grants fall between $20K and $40K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$40K
JOSEPH H MAROON
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Typical grant size sits at $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the list also includes several large program grants. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off: James River Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Sustainable Chesapeake, Wetlands Watch, Virginia Conservation Network, Southern Environmental Law Center, Appalachian Conservation Corps, and The Mountain Lake Conservancy each appear more than once in the recent grants. Virginia Environmental Endowment is an independent grant-making endowment, not an individual giving fund, and it does not make program-related investments. The Virginia Program and several other programs accept unsolicited requests.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Virginia-centered: 82% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and the top giving state is Virginia. Recent grants land in Richmond, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, Roanoke, Norfolk, Harrisonburg, Salem, Pembroke, Arlington, and Charlottesville again through different organizations. Outside Virginia, a smaller number of grants went to Chevy Chase, Maryland, and West Jefferson, North Carolina. The geographic spread still tracks Virginia watersheds and local conservation priorities rather than a broad national footprint.
Its work centers on water quality, Chesapeake Bay restoration, land conservation, environmental literacy and public awareness, climate adaptation, invasive species mitigation, community conservation, and watershed restoration, including the James River. Recent grants also show support for trail and greenspace restoration, policy work, and workforce development.
The recent grant pattern is centered around $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $40,000 at the 75th percentile. The portfolio also includes larger awards for major implementation and capacity-building projects.
Yes. Several organizations appear multiple times in the recent grants list, including James River Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Sustainable Chesapeake, Wetlands Watch, Virginia Conservation Network, Southern Environmental Law Center, Appalachian Conservation Corps, and The Mountain Lake Conservancy.
Yes for several programs. The Virginia Program, Community Conservation Program, James River Water Quality Improvement Program, and Collective Impact initiatives all accept unsolicited applications, while the Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys Program does not.
Virginia is the main geography. The data shows 82% of grants going to recipients in Virginia, and the top state by grant count is also Virginia, with recipient cities including Richmond, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Norfolk, Harrisonburg, Salem, Pembroke, Arlington, and Williamsburg.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Virginia Environmental Endowment that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations and other institutions working on environmental projects in Virginia. The Endowment limits awards to eligible nonprofit organizations for programs conducted in Virginia. Applications are accepted twice yearly.
Deadline: June 15 and December 1 each year
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION | RICHMOND, VA | $889,700 | 2025 | RIPARIAN AND LIVING SHORELINE IMPLEMENTATION IN THE MIDDLE AND LOWER JAMES RIVER REGION. |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION | RICHMOND, VA | $406,302 | 2025 | RIPARIAN BUFFER IMPLEMENTATION IN THE UPPER JAMES RIVER REGION. |
| TROUT UNLIMITED | ARLINGTON, VA | $196,095 | 2025 | STREAM RESTORATION, RIPARIAN BUFFER, AND CONSERVATION PLANNING IN THE UPPER JAMES RIVER REGION. |
| THE MOUNTAIN LAKE CONSERVANCY | PEMBROKE, VA | $95,939 | 2025 | TRAIL RESTORATION AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING AT MOUNTAIN LAKE, GILES COUNTY, VA. |
| SUSTAINABLE CHESAPEAKE | RICHMOND, VA | $89,517 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTATION OF MANURE INJECTION IN THE JAMES RIVER WATERSHED. |
| NATURE FORWARD | CHEVY CHASE, MD | $80,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN VA. |
| NEW RIVER CONSERVANCY | WEST JEFFERSON, NC | $76,261 | 2025 | CLEAN-UP AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING OF THE NEW RIVER IN VA. |
| CAPITAL REGION LAND | RICHMOND, VA | $60,000 | 2025 | LAND CONSERVATION CAPACITY BUILDING VIA THE HIRING OF A LAND CONSERVATION MANAGER. |
| WETLANDS WATCH | NORFOLK, VA | $59,402 | 2025 | BUILDING LAND CONSERVATION AND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT CAPACITY IN WESTERN VA. |
| RIVANNA CONSERVATION ALLIANCE | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $52,500 | 2025 | WATER QUALITY MONITORING IN THE RIVANNA RIVER. |
| SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR WATER QUALITY PROTECTION, LAND CONSERVATION, AND RESILIENCE POLICIES IN VA. |
| APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS | HARRISONBURG, VA | $42,400 | 2025 | TRAINING YOUNG WOMEN FOR CONSERVATION CAREERS. |
| VIRGINIA CONSERVATION NETWORK | RICHMOND, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | COORDINATION OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATEWIDE PARTNERS TO DEVELOP CLEAN WATER POLICY FOR VA. |
| NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING LANDSCAPE-SCALE CONSERVATION WITHIN AND SURROUNDING SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK. |
| VIRGINIA'S UNITED LAND TRUSTS | RICHMOND, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | EXPAND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO ADVANCE AND ACCELERATE LAND CONSERVATION IN VA. |
| ALLIANCE FOR THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY | NEWMARKET, VA | $30,000 | 2025 | LAND CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA. |
| POTOMAC CONSERVANCY | SILVER SPRING, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | LAND CONSERVATION IN PRIORITY WATERSHEDS IN THE UPPER SHENANDOAH RIVER WATERSHED. |
| BAY JOURNAL MEDIA | MAYO, MD | $25,000 | 2025 | REPORTING ON AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PRACTICES, VIRGINIA ISSUES, AND CHESAPEAKE BAY POLLUTION. |
| BLUE RIDGE PRISM | CROZET, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | LANDOWNER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO MITIGATE INVASIVE PLANT PROBLEMS ACROSS VA. |
| BLUE SKY FUND | RICHMOND, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN THE CITY OF RICHMOND. |
| LAND TRUST ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | INCREASING LAND TRUST CAPACITY, TRAINING, AND COVERAGE TO ACCOMPLISH GREATER LAND CONSERVATION IN VA. |
| WESTERN VIRGINIA WATER AUTHORITY | ROANOKE, VA | $20,816 | 2025 | REDUCTION OF COMMUNITY AND WATER QUALITY HARM THROUGH PROPER STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF MEDICATIONS. |
| THE 500-YEAR FOREST PROJECT | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | EXPAND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO PROTECT FUTURE OLD GROWTH FORESTS OF VIRGINIA. |
| NORTHERN NECK LAND CONSERVANCY | WARSAW, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | INCREASING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO INCREASE LAND CONSERVATION IN THE NORTHERN NECK OF VA. |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA INSTITUTE FOR ENGAGEMENT & NEGOTIATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $19,999 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PLANS. |
| THE MARINER'S MUSEUM AND PARK | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $17,500 | 2025 | PUBLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN HAMPTON ROADS, VA. |
| ROANOKE COLLEGE | SALEM, VA | $16,020 | 2025 | RESTORATION OF A DEGRADED URBAN AREA IN ROANOKE, VA. |
| NEW RIVER LAND TRUST | BLACKSBURG, VA | $15,810 | 2025 | RESTORATION ACTIVITIES FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF THE NORTH FORK OF THE ROANOKE RIVER. |
| THE FLORA OF VIRGINIA PROJECT | RICHMOND, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | DATABASE DEVELOPMENT WORK FOR THE PUBLICATION (3RD EDITION) OF FLORA OF VIRGINIA. |
| INDIGENOUS CONSERVATION COUNCIL | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | DEVELOPMENT OF A DATA PLATFORM TO TRACK AND PROTECT ANCESTRAL TRIBAL LANDSCAPES IN VIRGINIA. |
| UPPER TENNESSEE RIVER ROUNDTABLE INC | ABINGDON, VA | $12,325 | 2025 | ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS. |
| VIRGINIA JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE | RICHMOND, VA | $12,000 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION | RESTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR POLICY WORK ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION. |
| DAN RIVER BASIN | EDEN, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR 4TH GRADERS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA. |
| LAND SAVERS UNITED | ROANOKE, VA | $8,644 | 2025 | CREATION OF A LAND CONSERVATION PLAN FOR SEVEN COUNTIES IN THE ROANOKE, VA REGION. |
| VIRGINA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY | BLACKSBURG, VA | $7,870 | 2025 | IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES IN MAINTAINING WATER QUALITY FOR HOMES DEPENDENT ON PRIVATE WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHWEST VA. |
| VA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT | MECHANICSVILLE, VA | $6,778 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTATION OF RESIDENTIAL SCALE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. |
| JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION | RICHMOND, VA | $539,291 | 2024 | A FISHABLE, SWIMMABLE, AND DRINKABLE JAMES RIVER |
| WETLANDS WATCH | NORFOLK, VA | $225,554 | 2024 | BUILDING LAND CONSERVATION AND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT CAPACITY IN WESTERN VIRGINIA |
| THE MOUNTAIN LAKE CONSERVANCY | PEMBROKE, VA | $106,975 | 2024 | MOUNTAIN LAKE TRAIL NETWORK CONSERVATION & CONNECTION PROJECT |
| SOUTHERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $40,000 | 2024 | LEADERSHIP FOR ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE LAND USE AND LAND CONSERVATION IN VIRGINIA, PROMOTING COASTAL RESILIENCY, AND PROTECTING WATER QUALITY IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH |
| VIRGINIA CONSERVATION NETWORK | RICHMOND, VA | $40,000 | 2024 | MAINTAINING MOMENTUM FOR CLEAN WATER IN THE COMMONWEALTH |
| POTOMAC RIVERKEEPER NETWORK | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2024 | VIRGINIA COAL ASH WORK |
| VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $30,000 | 2024 | COMMONWEALTH COASTAL AND MARINE POLICY FELLOWSHIP |
| THE NATURE CONSERVACY | ARLINGTON, VA | $30,000 | 2024 | STEPPATHS TO CAREERS IN CONSERVATION |
| LAND TRUST ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2024 | TO ADVANCE LAND CONSERVATION CAPACITY AND PARTNERSHIPS IN VIRGINIA |
| FRIENDS OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK | FREDERICKSBURG, VA | $26,000 | 2024 | LEVERAGING VOLUNTEERISM FOR RIVER PROTECTION |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA INSTITUTE FOR ENGAGEMENT & NEGOTIATION | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | IMPLEMENTING THE RAFT (RESILIENCE ADAPTATION FEASIBILITY TOOL) TO INCREASE RESILIENCE IN THE CITIES OF HOPEWELL AND PETERSBURG OF CRATER DISTRICT, VA (ORIGINALLY $28,740) |
| THE MARINER'S MUSEUM AND PARK | NEWPORT NEWS, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | EXPANDING ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY THROUGH MARINERS EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT |
| VALLEY CONSERVATION COUNCIL | STAUNTON, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | SUPPORTING BIPOC LAND CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY |
RIPARIAN AND LIVING SHORELINE IMPLEMENTATION IN THE MIDDLE AND LOWER JAMES RIVER REGION.
RIPARIAN BUFFER IMPLEMENTATION IN THE UPPER JAMES RIVER REGION.
STREAM RESTORATION, RIPARIAN BUFFER, AND CONSERVATION PLANNING IN THE UPPER JAMES RIVER REGION.
THE MOUNTAIN LAKE CONSERVANCY
$95,939TRAIL RESTORATION AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING AT MOUNTAIN LAKE, GILES COUNTY, VA.
SUSTAINABLE CHESAPEAKE
$89,517IMPLEMENTATION OF MANURE INJECTION IN THE JAMES RIVER WATERSHED.
NATURE FORWARD
$80,000ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN VA.
CLEAN-UP AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING OF THE NEW RIVER IN VA.
LAND CONSERVATION CAPACITY BUILDING VIA THE HIRING OF A LAND CONSERVATION MANAGER.
BUILDING LAND CONSERVATION AND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT CAPACITY IN WESTERN VA.
RIVANNA CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
$52,500WATER QUALITY MONITORING IN THE RIVANNA RIVER.
SUPPORT FOR WATER QUALITY PROTECTION, LAND CONSERVATION, AND RESILIENCE POLICIES IN VA.
APPALACHIAN CONSERVATION CORPS
$42,400TRAINING YOUNG WOMEN FOR CONSERVATION CAREERS.
COORDINATION OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATEWIDE PARTNERS TO DEVELOP CLEAN WATER POLICY FOR VA.
ADVANCING LANDSCAPE-SCALE CONSERVATION WITHIN AND SURROUNDING SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK.
VIRGINIA'S UNITED LAND TRUSTS
$30,000EXPAND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO ADVANCE AND ACCELERATE LAND CONSERVATION IN VA.
LAND CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA.
LAND CONSERVATION IN PRIORITY WATERSHEDS IN THE UPPER SHENANDOAH RIVER WATERSHED.
REPORTING ON AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PRACTICES, VIRGINIA ISSUES, AND CHESAPEAKE BAY POLLUTION.
LANDOWNER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO MITIGATE INVASIVE PLANT PROBLEMS ACROSS VA.
INCREASING LAND TRUST CAPACITY, TRAINING, AND COVERAGE TO ACCOMPLISH GREATER LAND CONSERVATION IN VA.
WESTERN VIRGINIA WATER AUTHORITY
$20,816REDUCTION OF COMMUNITY AND WATER QUALITY HARM THROUGH PROPER STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF MEDICATIONS.
THE 500-YEAR FOREST PROJECT
$20,000EXPAND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO PROTECT FUTURE OLD GROWTH FORESTS OF VIRGINIA.
INCREASING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO INCREASE LAND CONSERVATION IN THE NORTHERN NECK OF VA.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA INSTITUTE FOR ENGAGEMENT & NEGOTIATION
$19,999IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL COMMUNITY RESILIENCE PLANS.
THE MARINER'S MUSEUM AND PARK
$17,500PUBLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN HAMPTON ROADS, VA.
NEW RIVER LAND TRUST
$15,810RESTORATION ACTIVITIES FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF THE NORTH FORK OF THE ROANOKE RIVER.
THE FLORA OF VIRGINIA PROJECT
$15,000DATABASE DEVELOPMENT WORK FOR THE PUBLICATION (3RD EDITION) OF FLORA OF VIRGINIA.
INDIGENOUS CONSERVATION COUNCIL
$15,000DEVELOPMENT OF A DATA PLATFORM TO TRACK AND PROTECT ANCESTRAL TRIBAL LANDSCAPES IN VIRGINIA.
UPPER TENNESSEE RIVER ROUNDTABLE INC
$12,325ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS.
VIRGINIA JUNIOR ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
$12,000ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.
SUPPORT FOR POLICY WORK ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION.
DAN RIVER BASIN
$10,000PUBLIC SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR 4TH GRADERS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, VA.
LAND SAVERS UNITED
$8,644CREATION OF A LAND CONSERVATION PLAN FOR SEVEN COUNTIES IN THE ROANOKE, VA REGION.
VIRGINA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
$7,870IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES IN MAINTAINING WATER QUALITY FOR HOMES DEPENDENT ON PRIVATE WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHWEST VA.
VA ASSOCIATION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$6,778IMPLEMENTATION OF RESIDENTIAL SCALE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT.
BUILDING LAND CONSERVATION AND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT CAPACITY IN WESTERN VIRGINIA
THE MOUNTAIN LAKE CONSERVANCY
$106,975MOUNTAIN LAKE TRAIL NETWORK CONSERVATION & CONNECTION PROJECT
LEADERSHIP FOR ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE LAND USE AND LAND CONSERVATION IN VIRGINIA, PROMOTING COASTAL RESILIENCY, AND PROTECTING WATER QUALITY IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH
MAINTAINING MOMENTUM FOR CLEAN WATER IN THE COMMONWEALTH
VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE
$30,000COMMONWEALTH COASTAL AND MARINE POLICY FELLOWSHIP
TO ADVANCE LAND CONSERVATION CAPACITY AND PARTNERSHIPS IN VIRGINIA
LEVERAGING VOLUNTEERISM FOR RIVER PROTECTION
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA INSTITUTE FOR ENGAGEMENT & NEGOTIATION
$25,000IMPLEMENTING THE RAFT (RESILIENCE ADAPTATION FEASIBILITY TOOL) TO INCREASE RESILIENCE IN THE CITIES OF HOPEWELL AND PETERSBURG OF CRATER DISTRICT, VA (ORIGINALLY $28,740)
THE MARINER'S MUSEUM AND PARK
$25,000EXPANDING ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY THROUGH MARINERS EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT
VALLEY CONSERVATION COUNCIL
$25,000SUPPORTING BIPOC LAND CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY