ACT for Alexandria is a community foundation based in Alexandria, Virginia, dedicated to improving the lives of Alexandrians by turning ideas into action and resources into results. Founded in 2002, the organization brings the community together to elevate local philanthropic giving and engagement, connecting donors with causes they are passionate about while collaborating with nonprofits to optimize resources and impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.6M
-1.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
-12.1% YoY
Grant Count
108
-11.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
-0.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To improve the lives of Alexandrians by turning ideas into action and resources into results.
ACT for Alexandria operates through several core program areas:
- Community Investment Grants: Grants awarded primarily through donor-advised funds to nonprofits based on recommendations from fund holders, with approximately half supporting charitable organizations in Alexandria
- Capacity Building Grants: Strengthening and supporting nonprofits that serve people living in Alexandria
- Racial Equity Work: Supporting initiatives to address systemic racism and advance equity
- Youth Support Network: Programs focused on young people in the community
- Alexandria Resilience Fund: A managed fund developed in partnership with the City of Alexandria to address community needs
- Spring2ACTion: An annual citywide giving day celebrating collective philanthropic spirit
- Emergency Grants: Support for nonprofits during times of crisis
The organization's funding focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Grantmaking
ACT for Alexandria distributes grants through multiple mechanisms:
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ACT for Alexandria primarily funds nonprofits serving Alexandria, Virginia. The organization manages approximately 200 local Alexandria nonprofits through its donor-advised fund structure. While the primary focus is Alexandria, the organization's giving also extends to the District of Columbia and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $21,603,148 (as of 2024)
Total Giving: $3,884,887 (most recent filing)
Total Revenues: $4,967,215 (2024)
Total Expenses: $6,030,055 (2024)
Annual Revenue: $19,516,925
Employees: 9 staff members
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,603,148 | $22,024,353 | $22,323,965 |
| Revenue | $4,967,215 | $6,211,354 | $6,601,837 |
| Expenses | $6,030,055 | $6,782,102 | $8,207,705 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,503,854 | $950,645 | $467,104 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Act for Alexandria
2026 Capacity Building Grants
ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA
Amount
Up to $10,000
Deadline
November 14, 2026
Fund for Racial Equity Grants
ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Organizational Resilience Capacity Building Grants
ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arlington Community Foundation ($788,280), Alexandria Seaport Foundation ($408,250), Virginia Health Care Foundation ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ARLINGTON, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $788,280 |
| ALEXANDRIA SEAPORT FOUNDATION ALEXANDRIA, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $408,250 |
| VIRGINIA HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION RICHMOND, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| NUEVA VIDA INC ALEXANDRIA, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $82,600 |
| THE CHILD & FAMILY NETWORK CENTERS ALEXANDRIA, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $81,100 |
| HAVERFORD COLLEGE HAVERFORD, PA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $71,806 |
| CITY OF ALEXANDRIA (OFFICE OF HISTORIC ALEXANDRIA) ALEXANDRIA, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $67,544 |
| THE SPITFIRE CLUB ALEXANDRIA, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $65,600 |
| CHRIST CHURCH ALEXANDRIA, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $64,000 |
| ALIVE ALEXANDRIA, VA | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $61,288 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Heather A. Peeler
Director of Development: Betsy Micklem
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAUREEN DEVINE-AHL | BOARD CHAIR | 5 | — |
| JOHN ARMSTRONG | BOARD SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| KAREN AVERY | BOARD VICE CHAIR | 5 | — |
| MARK JINKS | BOARD TREASURER | 5 | — |
| DAVID BAKER THRU 123124 | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| VIRGINIA BENNETT THRU 123124 | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| JULIA BURGOS | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| SCOTT DARLING THRU 123124 | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| ROSE DAWSON | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| JENNIFER FERRARA | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| LAURIE FLYNN THRU 123124 | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| CHRIS FOSTER | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| LISA GUERNSEY | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| CHARLES HOLT | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| BRYAN JACKSON THRU 123124 | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| BASIM KHAN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| JOE LAMOUNTAIN THRU 123124 | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| STEPHANIE LANDRUM | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| BRIAN LUNDEEN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| PETER MADIGAN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| LISA MARTIN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| PETER MCELWAIN | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| ERIK MUENDEL | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| SUKUMAR RAO | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| BETSEY ROSENBAUM THRU 123124 | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| AMY RUTHERFORD | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| KELLY THOMASSON | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| ANURAG VARMA | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| ROB WHITTLE THRU 123124 | BOARD MEMBER | 3 | — |
| HEATHER PEELER | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $233,154 |
| TRICIA RITCHIE | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $151,410 |
| BRANDI YEE | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $141,688 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
ACT for Alexandria was selected by the Citi Foundation Initiative to advance social and economic opportunity
ACT for Alexandria Selected by Citi Foundation Initiative to Advance SocialThe organization awarded $38,000 in 2024 to organizations fighting systemic racism
ACT for Alexandria awards $38K to these organizations to fight ...The City of Alexandria was awarded $525,000 in grant funding for flood mitigation efforts through ACT's programs
Grant Opportunities - ACT for AlexandriaSpring2ACTion 2025 (15th anniversary) engaged the community with a goal of raising $2.5 million for 190 participating nonprofits
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Act for Alexandria fund?
**Mission:** To improve the lives of Alexandrians by turning ideas into action and resources into results. ACT for Alexandria operates through several core program areas: • **Community Investment Grants:** Grants awarded primarily through donor-advised funds to nonprofits based on recommendations from fund holders, with approximately half supporting charitable organizations in Alexandria • **Capacity Building Grants:** Strengthening and supporting nonprofits that serve people living in Alexandr…
How do I apply for a grant from Act for Alexandria?
ACT for Alexandria distributes grants through multiple mechanisms: **Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,040 to $788,280. **Grant Types:** • Community investment grants through donor-advised funds • Capacity building grants for nonprofit organizational development • Emergency grants to local nonprofits • Matching grants and gifts distributed during Spring2ACTion **Spring2ACTion Activity:** Spring2ACTion is Alexandria's community-wide giving day, held annually in April. The 2021 event …
Where does Act for Alexandria make grants?
ACT for Alexandria primarily funds nonprofits serving Alexandria, Virginia. The organization manages approximately 200 local Alexandria nonprofits through its donor-advised fund structure. While the primary focus is Alexandria, the organization's giving also extends to the District of Columbia and California.
What size grants does Act for Alexandria award?
In 2024, Act for Alexandria awarded 108 grants totaling $3.5M — an average of about $32K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Act for Alexandria's EIN?
Act for Alexandria's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-4322369. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Act for Alexandria's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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