The Gerald and Paula McNichols Family Foundation concentrates its small, local giving on education and community arts in the Northern Virginia/Shenandoah Valley area, prioritizing direct scholarship support and hands‑on after‑school arts programming. Their two recent grants funded university scholarships and a community handbell after‑school program, indicating a preference for tangible, participant‑focused investments that expand access to education and music. The foundation appears to favor local institutions where donations support programs and scholarships rather than broad general operating support.
A $60,000 scholarship grant to Shenandoah University is the clearest signal in Gerald and Paula Mcnichols Family Foundation’s recent giving: they fund education through small, local awards that often support direct participation rather than broad institutional spending. The foundation’s pattern is anchored in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley, with recurring support for scholarship programs, after-school music instruction, and other hands-on enrichment. Recent awards also show a steady interest in programs for children, students, and people with disabilities, including music therapy, special-needs instruction, and tutoring. The foundation’s grant list suggests a preference for targeted program support. Stafford Regional Handbell Society received multiple awards for bells after-school programs and scholarships, while other grantees were funded for scholarship programs, educational services, and youth enrichment activities. That mix points to a funder that uses relatively modest grants to underwrite specific opportunities for participants rather than general, open-ended support. The result is a portfolio centered on education access, music learning, and practical support for local service providers.
Education is the strongest thread in the foundation’s recent grants. In 2025, Gerald and Paula Mcnichols Family Foundation gave $60,000 to Shenandoah University for scholarship programs, and earlier awards included $20,000 to Arcsmwc Foundation Fellowship in 2023 and $20,000 to Arcs Mwc Foundation Fellowship in 2024 and 2025, both for scholarship programs. Music and arts education is another clear area of support. The foundation gave $34,300 in 2023 and $25,000 in 2025 to Stafford Regional Handbell Society for bells after-school programs and scholarships. It also awarded $15,000 to Hylton Perfoming Arts Foundation for theatrical education programs and $10,000 to South Loudon Youth Chorale for summer choir programs. Support for disability services appears across multiple grants as well. N W Works received $15,000 for education services for people with disabilities and $10,000 for the same purpose, while Step VA received $20,000 for special needs musical programs.
$250K
$7.7M
$206K
$304K
Most grants fall between $4K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Very concentrated, local giving with a small number of relatively sizable grants (two grants totaling $94,300). Grants are program‑specific (scholarships and after‑school arts) rather than broad institutional funding.
Notable grantees: Shenandoah University, Stafford Regional Handbell Society
Typical grants cluster around a modest local range: p25 is $4,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $15,000. The recent record shows both repeat grantees and repeated program lines, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. Stafford Regional Handbell Society appears in 2023 and 2025, and several recipients received more than one award over time, including organizations tied to scholarships, music instruction, and disability services. The foundation is structured as a family foundation and funds individuals, with grantmaking focused on direct program support and scholarships rather than program-related investments.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Virginia, which accounts for 70% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities in the state include Winchester, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Fairfax, Aldie, Harrisonburg, Williamsburg, and Clear Brook. Outside Virginia, grants also went to Washington, DC; New York, NY; Auburn, AL; Ashtabula, OH; Highland Park, NJ; Navarre, FL; and Austin, TX. All recorded grants in the dataset went to US recipients.
The grant list centers on scholarships and education, especially scholarship programs, after-school music and handbell instruction, and services for people with disabilities. Recent awards also include theatrical education, tutoring, summer choir, swimming education, and daycare scholarships.
Its grant size distribution is modest: p25 is $4,000, the median grant is $10,000, and p75 is $15,000. Recent awards include larger scholarship and program grants, but most gifts sit near that middle range.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once in the recent grants list. Stafford Regional Handbell Society received awards in 2023 and 2025, and the Arcsmwc / Arcs Mwc Foundation Fellowship appears across 2023, 2024, and 2025 for scholarship programs.
Virginia is the top state by grant count, and 70% of grants went to recipients in Virginia. Recent Virginia recipients include organizations in Winchester, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Fairfax, Aldie, Harrisonburg, Williamsburg, and Clear Brook.
No. The recent grants include universities, handbell and performing-arts groups, disability-service organizations, tutoring programs, youth chorales, summer camp providers, and daycare scholarship programs. The pattern shows support for students, children, and people with disabilities.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY | WINCHESTER, VA | $60,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS |
| STAFFORD REGIONAL HANDBELL SOCIETY | FREDERICKSBURG, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | BELLS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS |
| STEP VA | FREDERICKSBURG, VA | $20,000 | 2025 | SPECIAL NEEDS MUSICAL PROGRAMS |
| BABY STEPS | Auburn, AL | $20,000 | 2025 | DAYCARE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE TINY TIGERS |
| ARCS MWC FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS |
| NW WORKS MUSIC THERAPY FOUNDATION | WINCHESTER, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES |
| LIBERTY UKRAINE FOUNDATION | AUSTIN, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS |
| HYLTON PERFOMING ARTS FOUNDATION | MANASSAS, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | THEATRICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| EMERALD COAST WILDLIFE FOUNDATION | Navarre, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | ANIMAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| THE NEW YORK POPS KIDS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | SEND SCHOOL CHILDREN TO NY POPS CONCERTS |
| SOUTH LOUDON YOUTH CHORALE | Aldie, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | SUMMER CHOAL PROGRAMS |
| GLOBAL BRONZE FOUNDATION | FREDERICKSBURG, VA | $6,200 | 2025 | SPECIAL NEEDS HANDBELL INSTRUCTION |
| SHENANDOAH VALLEY LATINO SCHOLARS | HARRISONBURG, VA | $6,000 | 2025 | COMPUTER REWARDS TO GRADUATING SENIORS |
| 2 FOR 2 FOUNDATION | CLEAR BROOK, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | SWIMMING EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF THE PIEDM | UPPERVILLE, VA | $4,000 | 2025 | MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| LITERACY VOLUNTEERS WINCHESTER | WINCHESTER, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE READING WRITING & MATH |
| AMERICAN CIVIL WAR MUSEUM | RICHMOND, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | HISTORICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| VALLEY HEALTH PARISI | WINCHESTER, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | ATHLETIC PROGRAMS |
| VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION | WINCHESTER, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | ATHLETIC PROGRAMSPARISI WELLNESS |
| ARCS MWC FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS |
| COLINIAL WILLIAMSBURG | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $20,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| AFTER SCHOOL DISCOVERY | ASHTABULA, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS |
| STAFFORD REGIONAL HANDBELL SOCIETY | FREDERICKSBURG, VA | $15,000 | 2024 | BELLS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS |
| EMERALD COAST WILDLIFE REFUGE | NAVARRE, FL | $10,285 | 2024 | ANIMAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| N W WORKS | WINCHESTER, VA | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES |
| THE NEW YORK POPS KIDS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | SEND SCHOOL CHILDREN TO NY POPS CONCERTS |
| BROADWAY BOUND KIDS | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| SHENANDOAD VALLEY LATINO SCHOLARS | HARRISONBURG, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | COMPUTER REWARDS TO GRADUATING SENIORS |
| MUSIC TO FREE | FAIRFAX, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR LIVING CENTERS |
| MUSEUM OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY | WINCHESTER, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE PIEDMONT | UPPERVILLE, VA | $3,500 | 2024 | MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| LITERACY VOLUNTEERS WINCHESTER | WINCHESTER, VA | $3,000 | 2024 | PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE READING WRITING & MATH SKILLS |
| STAFFORD REGIONAL HANDBELL SOCIETY | FREDERICKSBURG, VA | $34,300 | 2023 | BELLS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ARCSMWC FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS |
| MUSIC TO FREE | FAIRFAX, VA | $10,892 | 2023 | MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR LIVING CENTERS |
| N W WORKS | WINCHESTER, VA | $10,000 | 2023 | BUILD SKILLS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES |
| RAISING HANDS TUTORING | HIGHLAND PARK, NJ | $10,000 | 2023 | READING INSTRUCTION AND TUTORING |
| MUSEUM OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY | WINCHESTER, VA | $5,000 | 2023 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| NY POPS EDUCATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2023 | SEND SCHOOL CHILDREN TO NY POPS CONCERTS |
| SHEN VALLEY LATINO INITIATIVE | HARRISONBURG, VA | $4,000 | 2023 | COMPUTER REWARDS TO GRADUATING SENIORS |
| COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE PIEDMONT | UPPERVILLE, VA | $3,500 | 2023 | MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| MOUNT VISTA GOV SCHOOL FOUNDATION | WARRENTON, VA | $2,994 | 2023 | REGIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPPORT |
| OUR HEALTH INC | WINCHESTER, VA | $2,300 | 2023 | EXPANDING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| VALLEY HEALTH PARISI SCHOLARSHIPS | WINCHESTER, VA | $1,000 | 2023 | YOUTH TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS |
STAFFORD REGIONAL HANDBELL SOCIETY
$25,000BELLS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
STEP VA
$20,000SPECIAL NEEDS MUSICAL PROGRAMS
BABY STEPS
$20,000DAYCARE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE TINY TIGERS
ARCS MWC FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP
$20,000SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
NW WORKS MUSIC THERAPY FOUNDATION
$15,000EDUCATION SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
HYLTON PERFOMING ARTS FOUNDATION
$15,000THEATRICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
EMERALD COAST WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
$10,000ANIMAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SOUTH LOUDON YOUTH CHORALE
$10,000SUMMER CHOAL PROGRAMS
GLOBAL BRONZE FOUNDATION
$6,200SPECIAL NEEDS HANDBELL INSTRUCTION
SHENANDOAH VALLEY LATINO SCHOLARS
$6,000COMPUTER REWARDS TO GRADUATING SENIORS
2 FOR 2 FOUNDATION
$5,000SWIMMING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL OF THE PIEDM
$4,000MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS WINCHESTER
$3,000PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE READING WRITING & MATH
VALLEY HEALTH PARISI
$2,000ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
VALLEY HEALTH FOUNDATION
$1,000ATHLETIC PROGRAMSPARISI WELLNESS
ARCS MWC FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP
$20,000SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
COLINIAL WILLIAMSBURG
$20,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
AFTER SCHOOL DISCOVERY
$20,000AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
STAFFORD REGIONAL HANDBELL SOCIETY
$15,000BELLS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
EMERALD COAST WILDLIFE REFUGE
$10,285ANIMAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
N W WORKS
$10,000EDUCATION SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
THE NEW YORK POPS KIDS
$10,000SEND SCHOOL CHILDREN TO NY POPS CONCERTS
BROADWAY BOUND KIDS
$5,000PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SHENANDOAD VALLEY LATINO SCHOLARS
$5,000COMPUTER REWARDS TO GRADUATING SENIORS
MUSIC TO FREE
$5,000MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR LIVING CENTERS
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE PIEDMONT
$3,500MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS WINCHESTER
$3,000PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE READING WRITING & MATH SKILLS
STAFFORD REGIONAL HANDBELL SOCIETY
$34,300BELLS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
ARCSMWC FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP
$20,000SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS
MUSIC TO FREE
$10,892MUSIC PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR LIVING CENTERS
N W WORKS
$10,000BUILD SKILLS FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
RAISING HANDS TUTORING
$10,000READING INSTRUCTION AND TUTORING
NY POPS EDUCATION
$5,000SEND SCHOOL CHILDREN TO NY POPS CONCERTS
SHEN VALLEY LATINO INITIATIVE
$4,000COMPUTER REWARDS TO GRADUATING SENIORS
COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE PIEDMONT
$3,500MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS
MOUNT VISTA GOV SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$2,994REGIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPPORT
OUR HEALTH INC
$2,300EXPANDING HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
VALLEY HEALTH PARISI SCHOLARSHIPS
$1,000YOUTH TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS