
The JF Environmental Trust Foundation concentrates its modest giving on locally focused environmental science and community food security in Northern Virginia. It primarily funds university-led, science-based water and wildlife pollution research (often supporting student participation) and makes occasional community grants to support distribution of locally produced organic food. The foundation’s grants are project-specific and closely tied to environmental monitoring and practical community impact rather than broad advocacy or national programs.
JF Environmental Trust Foundation’s largest recent grants went to the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg for science-based studies of coal ash pollution in local waterways. That pattern captures how the foundation gives: it backs project-specific environmental research, often tied to student participation and local field work, rather than broad institutional support. The recent grants also show a second thread in community food security, including support for Serve in Stafford to purchase and distribute organic flour from local farms. Across its recent award history, the foundation has funded water quality and wildlife studies, climate-related research, and practical environmental education projects. George Mason University in Fairfax received support for chemical trace analyses of pollution in waterways and their effects on fish and other wildlife. The foundation also made smaller awards for school-based nature-trail work, urban heat island research, and vermiculture education. Its grantmaking is local in scope and entirely within Virginia, with awards that range from small student stipends to larger university research grants.
Environmental science research is a core theme. JF Environmental Trust Foundation gave $45,500 in 2024 and $31,575 in 2025 to the University of Mary Washington for analysis of coal ash pollution in local waterways. It also awarded $20,640 to George Mason University for chemical trace analyses of pollution in waterways and their effects on fish and other wildlife. The foundation also funds climate and ecology work. In 2025, George Mason University received $4,800 for graduate student research on climate change and avian populations in Northern Virginia. Earlier support went to the University of Mary Washington for a study of the heat island effect on neighborhoods in Fredericksburg. Community food security appears in its grantmaking as well. Serve in Stafford received $10,000 to buy and distribute organic flour from local farms to a food pantry serving Northern Virginia.
Recent grants show a mid-sized project-grant pattern, with a typical grant size of $4,038 at the 25th percentile, $12,475 at the median, and $23,374 at the 75th percentile. The foundation’s latest 990 year is 2025, and the grant list shows repeated support to the same university across multiple years, which suggests ongoing project funding rather than one-time awards. The foundation is also structured to fund individuals, and it makes program-related investments. Several awards are framed as scholarships or student research support, including awards linked to presentations, articles, and fieldwork.
$33K
$124K
$41K
$41K
Most grants fall between $4K and $23K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$23K
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Concentrated, small-scale portfolio: few grants per year with a majority directed to repeat academic grantees (notably University of Mary Washington) for specific research projects; occasional modest community nonprofit support. Grants are project-restricted and focused on local, science-based interventions rather than large multi-year general operating commitments.
Notable grantees: University of Mary Washington, George Mason University, S.E.R.V.E. (Northern Virginia food pantry)
Grantmaking is entirely in Virginia, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. The strongest concentration is in Fredericksburg, where the University of Mary Washington and individual student awards appear. Other Virginia recipients include Fairfax, Stafford, and Colonial Forge Public High School in Stafford. The geography is local rather than regional or national, and the recipient-country distribution is fully U.S.-based.
Its recent grants emphasize environmental research and applied science, especially studies of coal ash pollution, chemical trace analysis in waterways, climate-related ecology, and hands-on monitoring projects. The foundation also supports community food security through purchases and distribution of local organic food.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals and also gives to universities, schools, and community organizations. The grant list includes a $300 award to Stella Hennessey and several student-oriented research and scholarship awards alongside larger institutional grants.
The typical grant size is $4,038 at the 25th percentile, $12,475 at the median, and $23,374 at the 75th percentile. The recent list includes both smaller student awards and larger university research grants, which fits that spread.
Yes. The recipient-country distribution is 100% U.S., and 100% of grants go to recipients in Virginia. Recent recipients include Fredericksburg, Fairfax, Stafford, and other Virginia locations.
Yes. The University of Mary Washington appears in multiple recent awards across 2023, 2024, and 2025, with grants for coal ash studies and related environmental research. That repeated support points to ongoing project-based funding.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg, VA | $30,000 | 2026 | Funds have been given to the University of Mary Washington UMW for for scholarships and grants to students doing science-based research on local environmental issues. The funds are used for environmental issues such as: water used by data centers; air pollution caused by diesel-powered backup electrical systems; trash pollution along local rivers; updated maps of nuclear plant evacuation routes and earthquake history etc. Results were provided by the recipients in the form of research papers newsletter articles and public presentations. |
| Lynn Godfrey | Portsmouth, VA | $2,500 | 2026 | Environmental Activism on Climate Change. She spearheaded the effort to defeat the Lambert Compressor Station effectively halting a major pipeline project in Virginia. She worked with the SAVE Coalition yo successfully stop the creation of the VNG HIP C4GT Gas Plant and Chickahominy Gas Plants. |
| University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg, VA | $31,575 | 2025 | Funds given to UMW for science-based studies on environmental issues including analysis of coal ash pollution of local waterways. Funds were given as grants to cover expenses of analyzing water and fish samples and to provide scholarships and or stipends for students participating in the studies. A final report was issued. |
| George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | $20,640 | 2025 | Funds were provided to perform chemical trace analyses of pollution in waterways and how they affect fish and other wildlife living in or near those waterways. |
| SERVE | Stafford, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | S.E.R.V.E is a food pantry assisting people living in Northern Virginia. Contributions to them were made to allow them to purchase and distribute organic flour from local farms. |
| Geroge Mason University | Fairfax, VA | $4,800 | 2025 | Funds were provided for graduate student research into the impact of climate change on avian populations in Northern Virginia. |
| Stella Hennessey | Fredericksburg, VA | $300 | 2025 | Students learn how worms affect the ability of gardens to grow plants. Vermiculture allows plants to obtain and use nutrients they need to grow. The funds were used to build boxes for housing both worms and compostable materials. |
| University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg, VA | $45,500 | 2024 | Funds given to UMW for science-based studies on environmental issues including analysis of coal ash pollution of local waterways. Funds were given as grants to cover expenses of analyzing water and fish samples and to provide scholarships and or stipends for students participating in the studies. |
| University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg, VA | $14,950 | 2023 | Three grants scholarships awarded in 2022: 1 Scholarship & grant to continue to study the heat island effect on neighborhoods in Fredericksburg VA; 2 grant to continue a study on the impact of coal ash on small aquatic creatures; 3 grant to build a neighborhood organic food garden in the Bragg Hill neighborhood of Fredericksburg VA. |
| Colonial Forge Public High School | Stafford, VA | $1,750 | 2023 | Help students build an educational nature trail on school property to be able to study wildlife and test water samples. |
Funds have been given to the University of Mary Washington UMW for for scholarships and grants to students doing science-based research on local environmental issues. The funds are used for environmental issues such as: water used by data centers; air pollution caused by diesel-powered backup electrical systems; trash pollution along local rivers; updated maps of nuclear plant evacuation routes and earthquake history etc. Results were provided by the recipients in the form of research papers newsletter articles and public presentations.
Lynn Godfrey
$2,500Environmental Activism on Climate Change. She spearheaded the effort to defeat the Lambert Compressor Station effectively halting a major pipeline project in Virginia. She worked with the SAVE Coalition yo successfully stop the creation of the VNG HIP C4GT Gas Plant and Chickahominy Gas Plants.
Funds given to UMW for science-based studies on environmental issues including analysis of coal ash pollution of local waterways. Funds were given as grants to cover expenses of analyzing water and fish samples and to provide scholarships and or stipends for students participating in the studies. A final report was issued.
George Mason University
Funds were provided to perform chemical trace analyses of pollution in waterways and how they affect fish and other wildlife living in or near those waterways.
SERVE
$10,000S.E.R.V.E is a food pantry assisting people living in Northern Virginia. Contributions to them were made to allow them to purchase and distribute organic flour from local farms.
Geroge Mason University
$4,800Funds were provided for graduate student research into the impact of climate change on avian populations in Northern Virginia.
Stella Hennessey
$300Students learn how worms affect the ability of gardens to grow plants. Vermiculture allows plants to obtain and use nutrients they need to grow. The funds were used to build boxes for housing both worms and compostable materials.
Funds given to UMW for science-based studies on environmental issues including analysis of coal ash pollution of local waterways. Funds were given as grants to cover expenses of analyzing water and fish samples and to provide scholarships and or stipends for students participating in the studies.
Three grants scholarships awarded in 2022: 1 Scholarship & grant to continue to study the heat island effect on neighborhoods in Fredericksburg VA; 2 grant to continue a study on the impact of coal ash on small aquatic creatures; 3 grant to build a neighborhood organic food garden in the Bragg Hill neighborhood of Fredericksburg VA.
Colonial Forge Public High School
$1,750Help students build an educational nature trail on school property to be able to study wildlife and test water samples.