The Perry Family Foundation concentrates its giving on large, place-based cultural and public-serving institutions in the Norfolk, VA area, prioritizing major arts, horticulture, and public attractions as community anchors. Grants are sizable and mission-focused, often designated to further the donee's core activities, with occasional support for social services addressing local needs. The foundation appears to favor a small number of high-impact partners and repeats funding to the same institutions.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, large grants concentrated locally; repeat multi-grant support to flagship cultural institutions rather than many small or nationwide grants.
The Perry Family Foundation centers its philanthropy on a small set of place-based institutions in Norfolk and nearby Virginia Beach, with very large grants repeatedly directed to the same civic and cultural organizations. Its largest recent award was $2,785,800 to the Chrysler Museum of Art, followed by $1,544,913 and $1,478,275 to Norfolk Botanical Gardens in separate years. That pattern points to a funder that backs anchor institutions over time rather than spreading support across many recipients. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s giving reaches arts, horticulture, marine and environmental education, and selected human services. Virginia Zoological Society received $833,333 in 2025, while Samaritan House received $750,000 in 2023. Other sizable grants went to Virginia Arts Festival, Hurrah Players, Nauticus, and Old Dominion University, all in Norfolk. The recipient names and repeated awards suggest a consistent emphasis on organizations that serve the Norfolk area through public programming, education, conservation, and community support. Grant descriptions often use the same language — “further donee’s charitable purpose” — which indicates unrestricted or broadly supportive funding tied to the recipient’s mission. The foundation’s recent activity shows long-term support for a concentrated local portfolio, including repeat grants to the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Virginia Arts Festival, and Nauticus.
In arts and culture, the foundation supported Virginia Arts Festival with $575,000 in 2025 and $550,000 in 2024, and gave $411,794 to Hurrah Players in 2025 after a $550,000 grant in 2024. It also awarded $175,000 to Virginia Stage Company in 2023, showing a clear pattern of funding performance organizations in Norfolk. Its environmental and public-attraction grants include $833,333 to Virginia Zoological Society in 2025 and $358,333 to Nauticus in 2025, alongside earlier Nauticus grants of $191,667 in 2024 and 2023. For higher education and youth-serving institutions, the foundation gave $529,101 to Old Dominion University in 2024 and $250,000 to Chesapeake Bay Academy in 2025. Human services also appear in the portfolio. Samaritan House received $750,000 in 2023, and Mercy Medical Angels received $300,000 in 2025 after grants of $200,000 in both 2023 and 2024.
$8.8M
$28.9M
$2.2M
$8.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $200K, with a median of $56K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$56K
75th Percentile
$200K
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Notable grantees: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Virginia Zoological Society, Samaritan House
Recent grants cluster around large checks: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $56,322, and the 75th percentile is $200,000. That spread, together with awards in the high six and seven figures, shows a structure that can make both mid-sized and very large commitments. The foundation’s recent record also shows repeat funding to the same organizations across multiple years, including several multi-year recipients. Grants are described as furthering the donee’s charitable purpose, suggesting broad mission support rather than tightly restricted project-only awards. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
Giving is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Virginia, with 89% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Norfolk is the main city in the recipient list, followed by Virginia Beach and Reston. Recipients outside Norfolk include Samaritan House in Virginia Beach, Mercy Medical Angels in Virginia Beach, and Young America’s Foundation in Reston. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 89 grants in the United States.
The recent grants point to a portfolio built around arts and culture, horticulture, public attractions, and selected social services. Recipients include the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Virginia Zoological Society, Virginia Arts Festival, Hurrah Players, Nauticus, and Samaritan House.
Yes. 89% of grants go to recipients in Virginia, and the grant list is concentrated in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, with additional Virginia recipients in Reston.
The grant-size profile is broad but weighted toward sizable awards. The 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $56,322, and the 75th percentile is $200,000. Recent grants also include multiple awards above $500,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Virginia Arts Festival, Hurrah Players, Nauticus, Mercy Medical Angels, and Young America’s Foundation.
The grant descriptions repeatedly say the money is to “further donee’s charitable purpose.” That wording suggests broad support for the recipient’s mission rather than a narrowly defined project in most cases.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART | NORFOLK, VA | $2,785,800 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS | Norfolk, VA | $1,478,275 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | Norfolk, VA | $833,333 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL | NORFOLK, VA | $575,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HURRAH PLAYERS | NORFOLK, VA | $411,794 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NAUTICUS | NORFOLK, VA | $358,333 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MERCY MEDICAL ANGELS | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $300,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VANGUARD LANDING INC | Virginia Beach, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| YOUNG AMERICA'S FOUNDATION | RESTON, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| Chesapeake Bay Academy | Virginia Beach, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| FAMILIES OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN OF TIDE | Virginia Beach, VA | $246,667 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ACCESS College Foundation | Norfolk, VA | $200,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| Hospice House of Hampton Roads | Virginia Beach, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION INTERNATIONA | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| Edmarc Inc | Portsmouth, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| SAMARITAN HOUSE INC | Virginia Beach, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| EGGLESTON SERVICES FOUNDATION | Norfolk, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FestEvents | Norfolk, VA | $75,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| VIRGINIA STAGE COMPANY | NORFOLK, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE HERMITAGE MUSEUM AND GARDENS | Norfolk, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| RETAIL ALLIANCE | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NORFOLK ACADEMY | Norfolk, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VIRGINIA OPERA FOUNDATION | Norfolk, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| TIDEWATER ARTS OUTREACH | Norfolk, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| TWP-The Youth Movement | Norfolk, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | Further Donee's charitable purpose |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE | NORFOLK, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VIRGINIA PENINSULA FOODBANK | HAMPTON, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HARBORS EDGE FOUNDATION INC | Norfolk, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SLOVER LIBRARY FOUNDATION | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000 | 2025 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS | Norfolk, VA | $1,544,913 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART | NORFOLK, VA | $1,525,000 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HURRAH PLAYERS | NORFOLK, VA | $550,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL | NORFOLK, VA | $550,000 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY | NORFOLK, VA | $529,101 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ELIZABETH RIVER PROJECT | NORFOLK, VA | $266,667 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MERCY MEDICAL ANGELS | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $200,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NAUTICUS | NORFOLK, VA | $191,667 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS | NORFOLK, VA | $173,170 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FAMILIES OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN OF TIDE | Virginia Beach, VA | $166,667 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| YOUNG AMERICA'S FOUNDATION | Reston, VA | $104,120 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| JDRF | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EGGLESTON SERVICES FOUNDATION | Norfolk, VA | $100,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| VIRGINIA STAGE COMPANY | NORFOLK, VA | $65,000 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ARTS ALLIANCE | Norfolk, VA | $35,000 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| RETAIL ALLIANCE | NORFOLK, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NORFOLK ACADEMY | Norfolk, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| D'ART CENTER | Norfolk, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ORPHANETWORK | Virginia Beach, VA | $15,000 | 2024 | FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS
$1,478,275FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$833,333Further Donee's charitable purpose
FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
VANGUARD LANDING INC
$250,000Further Donee's charitable purpose
FAMILIES OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN OF TIDE
$246,667FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION INTERNATIONA
$100,000Further Donee's charitable purpose
EGGLESTON SERVICES FOUNDATION
$100,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FestEvents
$75,000Further Donee's charitable purpose
RETAIL ALLIANCE
$25,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NORFOLK ACADEMY
$25,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
VIRGINIA OPERA FOUNDATION
$25,000Further Donee's charitable purpose
TIDEWATER ARTS OUTREACH
$10,000Further Donee's charitable purpose
TWP-The Youth Movement
$10,000Further Donee's charitable purpose
TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE
$10,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HARBORS EDGE FOUNDATION INC
$2,500FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SLOVER LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$1,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDENS
$1,544,913FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART
$1,525,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
$529,101TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MERCY MEDICAL ANGELS
$200,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FAMILIES OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN OF TIDE
$166,667FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
EGGLESTON SERVICES FOUNDATION
$100,000TO FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ARTS ALLIANCE
$35,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
RETAIL ALLIANCE
$25,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NORFOLK ACADEMY
$25,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE
D'ART CENTER
$25,000FURTHER DONEE'S CHARITABLE PURPOSE