Funders › Virginia

Tesco Foundation

Richmond, VA · EIN 27-2314595. Reported 292 grants totalling $952,075 to 127 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$1,000median grant
$952,075granted, 2021-2024
127recipients, as named on its returns
74%of grantees funded again the next year
$5,133,863assets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Tesco Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $1,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $750 and $2,500; the smallest was $100 and the largest $39,675. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
79 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
155 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
23 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
32 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
3 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
The ValentineRichmond, VA$68,500642024
St James's Episcopal ChurchRichmond, VA$68,000542024
Greater Richmond PartnershipRichmond, VA$50,000222024
Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal SchoolRichmond, VA$43,900332023
William & Mary FoundationWilliamsburg, VA$39,675112022
Vmfa FoundationRichmond, VA$37,500442024
Maggie Walker Community TrustRichmond, VA$30,000222023
1708 GalleryRichmond, VA$28,175332024
St Christopher's SchoolRichmond, VA$27,050442024
Sports BackersRichmond, VA$27,000442024
Unite AmericaDenver, CO$27,000332023
Venture Richmond IncRichmond, VA$22,500222024
SparcRichmond, VA$20,000222024
Wason Center for Civic LeadershipNewport News, VA$20,000442024
Historic Richmond FoundationRichmond, VA$19,000542024
Washington National CathedralWashington, DC$18,750112022
Anna Julia Cooper SchoolRichmond, VA$18,300212024
Vcu Institute for Contemporary Arts (ica)Richmond, VA$16,355222022
Dancing Classrooms of Greater RichmondRichmond, VA$15,000222024
Mcv FoundationRichmond, VA$15,000112021
Maggie Walker Community Land TrustRichmond, VA$15,000112024
Richmond BalletRichmond, VA$14,500112021
Henrico Education Foundation IncHenrico, VA$10,000112021
Richmond Cycling CorpsRichmond, VA$10,000332024
Urban Hope RvaRichmond, VA$10,000222024
Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, VA$10,000332024
Rva-757 ConnectsRichmond, VA$9,500332024
Westminster Canterbury FoundationRichmond, VA$9,500442024
Richmond Performing Arts AllianceRichmond, VA$9,000442024
YMCA of Greater RichmondWilliamsburg, VA$9,000442024
Leadership Metro RichmondRichmond, VA$8,000442024
Communities in Schools of RichmondRichmond, VA$7,500332023
Groundwork RvaRichmond, VA$7,500112021
Vcu School of Engineering FoundationRichmond, VA$7,500332023
Vcu Massey Cancer CenterRichmond, VA$7,250332023
College of William and MaryWilliamsburg, VA$6,700442024
Capital TreesRichmond, VA$6,000112021
CaritasRichmond, VA$5,500442024
Cultureworks IncRichmond, VA$5,500442024
Historic Petersburg FoundationPetersburg, VA$5,500442024
Nextup RvaRichmond, VA$5,500442024
Richard Bland College FoundationPrince George, VA$5,500442024
ActsRichmond, VA$5,000112021
Better Housing CoalitionRichmond, VA$5,000222024
ChamberrvaRichmond, VA$5,000442024
Elegba Folklore SocietyRichmond, VA$5,000442024
Science Museum of Virginia FoundationRichmond, VA$5,000442024
SportableRichmond, VA$5,000442024
Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA$4,850332023
J Sargeant Reynolds Cc Educational FoundationRichmond, VA$4,500222022
Mr Mac FoundationRichmond, VA$4,000442024
Goodwill Industries of Central VirginiaRichmond, VA$3,500332023
Black History Museum & Cultural Ctr of VaRichmond, VA$3,000112021
Davidson CollegeDavidson, NC$3,000442024
James River AssociationRichmond, VA$3,000442024
Maymont FoundationRichmond, VA$3,000222022
St Catherine's SchoolRichmond, VA$3,000332024
Vcu Massey Comprehensive Cancer CenterRichmond, VA$2,750212024
Cav AngelsCharlottesville, VA$2,500112024
Children's Home Society of VirginiaRichmond, VA$2,500222023
International Justice MissionWashington, DC$2,500442024
Lisc (local Initiative Support CorporatioRichmond, VA$2,500112024
Metropolitan Business League 9MBL)Richmond, VA$2,500112024
Rework RichmondRichmond, VA$2,500442024
St James's Children's CenterRichmond, VA$2,500332024
The Health WagonWise, VA$2,500332023
The Shepherd's Center of ChesterfieldChesterfield, VA$2,500112021
Vcu College of Engineering FoundationRichmond, VA$2,500112024
Vcu Foundation - School of EducationRichmond, VA$2,500112024
Vcu School of ArtsRichmond, VA$2,500112021
Shalom FarmsRichmond, VA$2,400332024
Feed MoreRichmond, VA$2,000442024
Home AgainRichmond, VA$2,000112021
Local Initiatives Support CorporationRichmond, VA$2,000222023
Norfolk State University FoundationNorfolk, VA$2,000222024
Startup VirginiaRichmond, VA$2,000222024
Tulane UniversityDallas, TX$1,850112024
Junior League of RichmondRichmond, VA$1,750332024
Peter Paul Development CenterRichmond, VA$1,500332024
Richmond Boys ChoirRichmond, VA$1,500222022
The Podium FoundationRichmond, VA$1,500222022
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts FoundationRichmond, VA$1,500112023
Virginia Public Access ProjectRichmond, VA$1,500222024
Tom Tom FoundationCharlottesville, VA$1,450222022
Braille Circulating Library for the BlindRichmond, VA$1,250442024
Alzheimer's AssociationGlen Allen, VA$1,000112021
American Red CrossRichmond, VA$1,000112022
Amp Metro RichmondRichmond, VA$1,000222022
Art 180Richmond, VA$1,000112021
Capital Region Land ConservancyRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Children's Museum of RichmondRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Cristo Rey Richmond High School IncRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Friends of Monroe ParkRichmond, VA$1,000112022
Friends of Hollywood CemeteryRichmond, VA$1,000442024
Higher AchievementPittsburgh, PA$1,000112021
Health BrigadeRichmond, VA$1,000112024
Ica at Vcu (institute for Contemporary Art)Richmond, VA$1,000112023
Lewis Ginter Botanical GardenRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Library of Virginia FoundationRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Monroe Park ConservancyRichmond, VA$1,000112021
ONEVIRGINIA2021Richmond, VA$1,000112021
Richmond Bridgepark FoundationRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Smart Beginnings Greater RichmondRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Studio Two ThreeRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Stay RvaRichmond, VA$1,000222023
Storefront for Community DesignRichmond, VA$1,000112024
The DoorwaysRichmond, VA$1,000442024
The Metropolitan Business LeagueRichmond, VA$1,000112023
University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA$1,000442024
Virginia Interfaith Ctr for Public PolicyRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Virginia Opera AssociationRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Virginia Repertory TheatreRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Visual Arts Center of RichmondRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Faison CenterRichmond, VA$970442024
St Andrews SchoolRichmond, VA$950442024
Syrian American Medical SocietyWashington, DC$800442024
Cru FoundationBrassfield, NC$500112021
Commonwealth Catholic CharitiesRichmond, VA$500112023
Jamestown Rediscovery FoundationJamestown, VA$500112023
Oakwood ArtsRichmond, VA$500112021
States NewsroomWashington, DC$500112022
Uva FundCharlottesville, VA$500112022
SbpNew Orleans, LA$400442024
Bolling Haxall House FoundationRichmond, VA$250112021
Bridging VirginiaRichmond, VA$250112024
Crossover Healthcare MinistryRichmond, VA$250112022
Greater Richmond Children's ChoirRichmond, VA$250112021

72 of 127 (57%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 74%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 194 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.

Education
53 grants
Arts & Culture
39 grants
Human Services
25 grants
Community Improvement
17 grants
Health Care
12 grants
Environment
11 grants
Housing & Shelter
9 grants
Recreation & Sports
8 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202187$253,100$1,000
202269$242,200$1,000
202365$209,275$1,000
202471$247,500$1,500

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

94% of its giving went to organizations in Virginia. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.

Virginia
$891K
Colorado
$27K
District of Columbia
$23K
Louisiana
$5K
North Carolina
$4K
Texas
$2K
Pennsylvania
$1K

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.

The Community Foundation Inc70 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund58 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc57 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc51 shared recipientsDominion Energy Charitable Foundation48 shared recipientsHerndon Foundation36 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $1,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Virginia.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding education in VirginiaEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding arts & culture in VirginiaEvery funder in this group

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Tesco Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.

Address of record on the latest return: 2001 Maywill Street 100, Richmond, VA, 23230. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 27-2314595 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.