Grants for enriching Community Life throughout the Commonwealth in Virginia

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation provides financial support for charitable organizations in Richmond and throughout Virginia.

Donor Name: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation

State: Virginia

City: Richmond

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 09/15/2023

Size of the Grant: $50,000 – $500,000

Details:

Focus Areas

• Arts & Culture
  • Virginia’s residents and visitors love Arts & Culture. That’s why The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation supports organizations that deliver cultural experiences through music, theatre, and visual and performing arts.
• Civic & Community Needs
  • The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation funds organizations that provide services to revitalize neighborhoods and local businesses, develop citizen leadership skills, bolster economic development, contribute to workforce training, and strengthen civic engagement.
• Education
  • From early childhood education to university and professional continuing education, The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation is proud to support educational organizations in the Commonwealth. They contribute funds to public, private, and faith-based schools that support both students and teachers.
• Environment & Conservation
  • To encourage responsible stewardship of the vast natural resources in the Commonwealth, The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation provides grants to conservation and environmental organizations.
• Historic Preservation
  • The Commonwealth of Virginia has a deep and long history. The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation is committed to preserving historically significant structures for future generations.
• Social Services & Welfare
  • The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation funds nonprofit organizations that address a wide range of human needs and aspirations. The Foundation serves people of all ages, socio-economic statuses, and backgrounds.

Grant Basics

Please be aware of the following before you begin your application:

• Typically their grants fund no more than 1/3 of a project’s cost.
• Grant awards are made on a challenge or matching basis.
• Grantees must meet all conditions stated in their award letter within 12 months of approval, and failing to do so may result in grant withdrawal.
• In the case of a construction grant, they will likely require the commencement of construction before they fund the grant.
• As a condition of funding, the Board of The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation expects that 100% of the grantee’s organizational board be contributing to the organization.

Funding Information

The grants awarded are in the range of $50,000 – $500,000, depending on the scope of the project.

Eligibility Criteria

To receive a grant from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Be exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3)
• Not classified as a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a)
• Be an organization located in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Be seeking support for a capital project in one of their focus areas
• Not have received a grant payment from their foundation in the last five years
• Not have submitted an unsuccessful application to their foundation within the last 12 months
• The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation awards grants to organizations that are exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3), not classified as a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a), and either located in the greater Richmond region or having a direct impact in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Additionally, The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation does not consider grants to support:

• Individuals
• Public sector agencies. State and local government majority-supported entities are not eligible for Foundation support; however, exceptions may be made for a limited number of institutions. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Science Museum of Virginia fall into this category
• Endowment funds (including scholarship funds, debt reduction, or funding of deficits)
• Research
• General operating expenses associated with ongoing programs or activities or other general administrative expenses
• Churches or religious programs without a secular or community service focus; except for historic preservation
• Local chapters of national associations and societies, mass mailings, and umbrella organizations

For more information, visit Mary Morton Parsons Foundation.