The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
Richmond, VA · EIN 54-1530891. Reported 271 grants totalling $30.1M to 184 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
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. The Mary Morton Parsons 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.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $45,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $10,000 and $150,000; the smallest was $5,000 and the largest $1,500,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Housing Coalition | Richmond, VA | $2,000,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Virginia Museum of Fine Arts | Richmond, VA | $1,000,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | Henrico, VA | $750,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Richmond | Richmond, VA | $750,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Virginia Museum of History and Culture | Richmond, VA | $750,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Vpm Public Media | Richmond, VA | $750,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cross-Over Ministry | Richmond, VA | $620,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Valentine Richmond History Center | Richmond, VA | $555,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Virginia Supportive Housing | Richmond, VA | $550,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Cristo Rey-Richmond High School | Richmond, VA | $530,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Science Museum of Virginia | Richmond, VA | $510,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Vcu Children's Hospital | Richmond, VA | $510,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Virginia Repertory Theatre | Richmond, VA | $505,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Liberation Veteran Services Inc | Richmond, VA | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Vcu - Massey Cancer Center | Richmond, VA | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| YMCA of Greater Richmond | Richmond, VA | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| YWCA | Richmond, VA | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Project Homes | Richmond, VA | $400,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Caritas | Richmond, VA | $395,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Colonial Williamsburg Foundation | Williamsburg, VA | $375,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Nature Conservancy | Richmond, VA | $365,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Richmond SPCA | Richmond, VA | $335,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Benedictine Foundation - St Gertrude High School | Richmond, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School | Powhatan, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Chrysler Museum | Norfolk, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Hampdensydney, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| James River Association | Richmond, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Maggie Walker Community Land Trust | Richmond, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Preservation Virginia | Richmond, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Andrews School | Richmond, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Virginia Tech Foundation Inc | Blacksburg, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Washington and Lee University | Lexington, VA | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Peter Paul Development Center | Richmond, VA | $295,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation | Richmond, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Bridgewater College | Bridgewater, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters | Norfolk, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Longwood University | Farmville, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northstar Academy | Glen Allen, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Pcs for People | St Paul, MN | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Randolph College | Lynchburg, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Randolph Macon College | Ashland, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Riverside School | North Chesterfield, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Veritas School | Richmond, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Virginia Foundation for Community College Education | Richmond, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Virginia League for Planned Parenthood | Richmond, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Virginia Museum of History & Culture | Richmond, VA | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Sagamore Institutepathway to Promise | Indianapolis, IN | $220,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mount Vernon Ladies Foundation | Mount Vernon, VA | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| New Community School | Richmond, VA | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Next Up Rva | Richmond, VA | $195,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boys Home of Virginia | Henrico, VA | $180,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Elijah House Academy | Richmond, VA | $180,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ducks Unlimited | Memphis, TN | $175,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chesapeake Bay Foundation | Richmond, VA | $159,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Autism Program of Va Inc - Commonwealth Autism | Richmond, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Calfee Community and Cultural Center | Pulaski, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Elk Hill Farm Inc | Goochland, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends of Hollywood Cemetery | Richmond, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Historic Richmond Foundation | Richmond, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Menokin Foundation | Warsaw, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| National D-Day Memorial Foundation Ltd | Bedford, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nauticus | Norfolk, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Pvcc Educational Foundation | Charlottesville, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sports Backers | Richmond, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St John's Church Foundation | Richmond, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Virginia War Memorial Educational Foundation | Richmond, VA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Faison Center | Richmond, VA | $125,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Safe Harbor Shelter | Richmond, VA | $110,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Fountain Fund | Charlottesville, VA | $110,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Stratford Hall | Stratford, VA | $105,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Arts on Main | Gloucester, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Child Development Resources Inc | Norge, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan | Powhatan, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Healthy Harvest Food Bank | Warsaw, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Heart of Virginia Council Inc | Henrico, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Homeward | Richmond, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mission Gait Foundation | Richmond, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation | Brookneal, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Piedmont Arts | Martinsville, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rappahannock Community College Educational Foundation | Warsaw, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Shenandoah University | Winchester, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Southampton County Historical Society | Newsoms, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Benedict School | Richmond, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Studio Two Three | Richmond, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | Suffolk, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Sweet Briar College | Sweet Briar, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Board of Regents of Gunston Hall Inc | Lorton, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Jxn Project | Richmond, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg | Richmond, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Virginia Legal Aid Society | Lynchburg, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Washington Heritage Museums | Fredericksburg, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| William King Museum of Art | Abingdon, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Foundation | Staunton, VA | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fellowship of Christians in Universities and Schools | New Canaan, CT | $85,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Collegiate School | Richmond, VA | $80,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Community Coalition of Sussex Va | Stony Creek, VA | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Family Lifeline | Richmond, VA | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Feed More | Richmond, VA | $75,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Virginia Living Museum | Newport News, VA | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School | Richmond, VA | $70,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Jewish Community Federation of Richmond | Richmond, VA | $70,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Westview on the James | Goochland, VA | $70,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wings of Hope Ranch | Ashland, VA | $64,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Lucy Corr Village | Chesterfield, VA | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Rework Richmond | Richmond, VA | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Tech for Troops | Richmond, VA | $53,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Partnership for Housing Affordability | Richmond, VA | $52,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Atlantic Outreach Incorporated | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Blue Sky Fund | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Chanco on the James | Spring Grove, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Nature Park | Deltaville, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Diversity Thrift | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Eastern Shore Coalition Against Dv | Onancock, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Elizabeth River Project | Norfolk, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Foundation for the Historic Christ Church Inc | Weems, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends Association for Children | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| George C Marshall Foundation | Lexington, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Girls for a Change | North Chesterfield, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grace Christian School | Mechanicsville, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hanover Habitat for Humanity | Mechanicsville, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Heart Havens Inc | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kovar Corporation | Roanoke, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Little Hands Virginia Inc | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nottaway Cares | Crewe, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Our Lady of Lourdes | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Project Restoration | Ebony, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rappahannock Tribe | Indian Neck, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Margaret's School | Tappahannock, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Virgiinia Center for Creative Arts | Amherst, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Virginia Symphony Orchestra | Norfolk, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Virginia Zoological Society | Norfolk, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Voices for Virginia's Children | Richmond, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Waymakers | Chesterfield, VA | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Colonial Heights Food Pantry Inc | Colonial Heights, VA | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Petersburg Area Art League | Petersburg, VA | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Reestablish Richmond | Richmond, VA | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Michaels Episcopal School | Richmond, VA | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Center for Nonprofit Excellence | Charlottesville, VA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Childsaver | Richmond, VA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Delta Waterfowl Foundation | Bismark, ND | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Henrico Community Food Bank | Richmond, VA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Housing Development Corporation of Hampton Roads | Chesapeake, VA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| IT4CAUSES | Richmond, VA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Leadership Metro Richmond | Richmond, VA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rampsrva (ramps Access Made Possible By Students) | Richmond, VA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Trinity Episcopal School | Richmond, VA | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care | Richmond, VA | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy | Richmond, VA | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Networkpeninsula | Newport News, VA | $34,554 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Access Now | Richmond, VA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond | Richmond, VA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Enrichmond Foundation | Richmond, VA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mending Walls | Richmond, VA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity | Richmond, VA | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Sheltering Arms Foundation | Mechanicsville, VA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| St James' Children's Center | Richmond, VA | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Swift Creek Mill Theatre Inc | South Chesterfield, VA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Virginia Society of Ornithology | Williamsburg, VA | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Alamo Addiction Recovery Center Inc | Petersburg, VA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Positive Vibe Foundation | Richmond, VA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Richmond Triangle Players | Richmond, VA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Vcu Engineering School Foundation | Richmond, VA | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges | Richmond, VA | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Byrd Theatre Foundation | Richmond, VA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Encircle | Richmond, VA | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Focus Richmond | Mechanicsville, VA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Urban Baby Beginnings | Richmond, VA | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Communities in Schools of Chesterfield | Chester, VA | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg, VA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Urban Hope | Richmond, VA | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Blue Ridge Area Food Bank | Charlottesville, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Virginia Athletics Foundation | Charlottesville, VA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Virginia Institute of Marine Science - William & Mary | Gloucester Point, VA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| American Shakespeare Center | Staunton, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Boaz & Ruth | Richmond, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Focus Richmond & Central Virginia | Mechanicsville, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Jmu Foundation | Harrisonburg, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mission Gait | Richmond, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Re-Establish Richmond | Richmond, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Christopher's School Foundation | Richmond, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Wintergreen Music | Nellysford, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
40 of 184 (22%) 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 42%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
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.
- Better Housing Coalition
SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES - Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
SUPPORT CAPITAL CAMPAIGN WITH FOCUS ON RENOVATION OF THE LESLIE CHEEK THEATER - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
SUPPORT "THRIVE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN" - Vpm Public Media
BUILD A NEW HEADQUARTERS IN DOWNTOWN RICHMOND - Virginia Museum of History and Culture
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF HISTORY MATTERS CAMPAIGN - Cross-Over Ministry
PURCHASE AND RENOVATE HENRICO CLINIC BUILDING AND RENOVATE RICHMOND CLINIC BUILDING
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 182 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | $6,255,000 | $27,500 |
| 2022 | 72 | $7,184,000 | $35,000 |
| 2023 | 76 | $7,127,054 | $47,500 |
| 2024 | 71 | $9,537,000 | $50,000 |
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.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation has 95 of them, worth $24.2M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Museum of History & Culture | Richmond, VA | $1,000,000 |
| Feed More | Richmond, VA | $1,000,000 |
| Vpm Media Corporation | Richmond, VA | $750,000 |
| Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden | Henrico, VA | $750,000 |
| Virginia Museum of History and Culture | Richmond, VA | $750,000 |
| Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens | Henrico, VA | $750,000 |
| Cross-Over Ministry | Richmond, VA | $600,000 |
| Liberation Veteran Services | Richmond, VA | $500,000 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Richmond | Richmond, VA | $500,000 |
| Virginia Repertory Theatre | Richmond, VA | $500,000 |
| Capital Regional Land Conservancy | Richmond, VA | $500,000 |
| Children's Museum of Richmond | Richmond, VA | $500,000 |
| The Salvation Army - Cva Command | Richmond, VA | $500,000 |
| Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity | Richmond, VA | $500,000 |
| Science Museum of Virginia | Richmond, VA | $500,000 |
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 97% of this one's giving went to organizations in Virginia. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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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 the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $45,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Virginia.
- 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.
- 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
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 8003 Franklin Farms Drive 111, Richmond, VA, 23229. 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 54-1530891 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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