Act for Alexandria
ACT for Alexandria is a public charity based in Alexandria, Virginia. It brings people and resources together to support community needs, local philanthropy, and nonprofits, with work that includes capacity building, community investment, and efforts to advance economic well-being and racial equity.
Act for Alexandria at a glance
In short: Act for Alexandria gave $3.5M across 108 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in Virginia. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,450,949
- -12.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 108
- -11.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,953
- -0.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,811
- Total assets
- $21,603,148
- -1.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (26 of 108, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Act for Alexandria
- How to Apply
-
For the 2026 capacity-building opportunity, eligible organizations are directed to complete the application through ACT’s grant management system during the stated application period. The 2024–2025 organizational resilience application invited requests up to $10,000 and anticipated eight awards, but that cycle has passed.
- Review Cycle
- November 14, 2026, for the 2026 capacity-building application.
- Deadline
- November 14, 2026, for the 2026 capacity-building application.
- Next open deadline
- November 14, 2026 (2026 Capacity Building Grants)
- Contact
Mailing address: 201 N Union St Ste 110, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 739-7778
Website: https://actforalexandria.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Act for Alexandria
2026 Capacity Building Grants
Act for Alexandria
Amount
Up to $10,000
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Fund for Racial Equity Grants
Act for Alexandria
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Organizational Resilience Capacity Building Grants
Act for Alexandria
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Act for Alexandria funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arlington Community Foundation ($788K). Together the top 10 received $1.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
572 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 465 grants of 572 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ACT is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and its website and filing describe substantial support for Alexandria nonprofits and residents. In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia; the filing also reports shares for recipients in Washington, DC (3%), Pennsylvania (2%), New York (1%), and Louisiana (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 108 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Act for Alexandria open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 26 of 108 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $44K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2021) to $8.0M (2020). In 2024 it made 108 grants totaling $3.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| 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 |
Ready to take the next step with Act for Alexandria?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The grant totals were associated with 108 grants in 2024, 122 in 2023, and 130 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21,603,148 | $4,967,215 | $6,030,055 | $3,450,949 | 108 | $1,503,854 |
| 2023 | $22,024,353 | $6,211,354 | $6,782,102 | $3,925,192 | 122 | $950,645 |
| 2022 | $22,323,965 | $6,601,837 | $8,207,705 | $5,505,216 | 130 | $467,104 |
| 2021 | $25,524,079 | $7,617,741 | $3,842,094 | $1,352,860 | 64 | $1,679,851 |
| 2020 | $20,863,556 | $11,118,241 | $10,313,703 | $7,970,898 | 148 | $574,210 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
ACT’s mission is “to amplify the work of our community by bringing people and resources together.” Its website describes a vision of Alexandria as a just, vibrant, equitable place where people who live and work there thrive and feel they belong.
ACT’s stated work includes supporting nonprofits, amplifying community voice, optimizing systems for people historically excluded, and supporting economic mobility for low-income Alexandrians. Its capacity-building grants are intended to strengthen nonprofits’ organizational effectiveness and resilience; the current 2026 grant opportunity focuses on organizations supporting Alexandria’s youth workforce and career-readiness ecosystem. ACT’s Fund for Racial Equity supports efforts to dismantle systemic racism and advance racial equity in Alexandria. Its inaugural 2024 priorities were child welfare, education, health, and housing.
The organizations receiving ACT’s largest 2024 grants illustrate a range of work. The Alexandria Seaport Foundation says it builds workforce skills, self-worth, and community for disconnected youth through woodworking and boat building. The Child and Family Network Centers says it provides free multilingual early education and wraparound services to under-resourced children and families. Nueva Vida says it informs, supports, and empowers Latinas affected by cancer and advocates for access to cancer care. ALIVE says it helps Alexandrians become capable of self-reliant roles in the community.
Grantmaking
ACT reported 108 grants totaling $3,450,949 in 2024. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $788,280, with a median of $12,811. The filing describes community investment grants as primarily donor-advised, unrestricted grants made to nonprofits based on fund-holder recommendations. It also reports capacity-building grants for nonprofits serving Alexandria residents.
The largest reported 2024 grants included $788,280 to Arlington Community Foundation, $408,250 to Alexandria Seaport Foundation, and $250,000 to Virginia Health Care Foundation. Other notable grants were $82,600 to Nueva Vida, $81,100 to the Child & Family Network Centers, and $71,806 to Haverford College. The filing listed these grants as program support.
The 2026 capacity-building opportunity is scheduled to open October 14 and close November 14, 2026, and is focused on organizations supporting Alexandria’s youth workforce and career-readiness ecosystem. The application is to be completed through ACT’s grant management system. ACT explains that capacity-building grants support organizational development and are not intended for general operating expenses or ongoing programmatic support. The 2024–2025 organizational resilience capacity-building application and the 2024 Fund for Racial Equity application describe past cycles, not current deadlines. The Fund for Racial Equity’s inaugural summer 2024 round supported more than 25 community partners with over $150,000; future opportunities are listed as to be determined.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Maureen Devine-Ahl as board chair, John Armstrong as board secretary, Karen Avery as board vice chair, and Mark Jinks as board treasurer. It also lists Julia Burgos, Rose Dawson, and Jennifer Ferrara as board members. David Baker, Virginia Bennett, and Scott Darling are listed as board members through December 31, 2024.
Act for Alexandria is led by Heather Peeler, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 3 of 24 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Heather Peeler
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$190K (2020) → $233K (2024)
Maureen Devine-Ahl
Board Chair
Member → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandi Yee
Chief Program Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$110K (2020) → $142K (2024)
Tricia Ritchie
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$133K (2022) → $151K (2024)
Brian Lundeen
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Chuck Holt
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Armstrong
Board Secretary
Secretary → Board Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Avery
Board Vice Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Board Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Guernsey
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Martin
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Madigan
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rose Dawson
Board Member
Ex-Officio Member → Member, 2022
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Landrum
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Rutherford
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Basim Khan
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erik Muendel
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Ferrara
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Burgos
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Jinks
Board Treasurer
Member → Board Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter McElwain
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sukumar Rao
Board Member
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anurag Varma
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Foster
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Thomasson
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (33)
- Former: Betsey Rosenbaum (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: David Baker (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: Joe Lamountain (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: Laurie Flynn (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: Scott Darling (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: Virginia Bennett (2020–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: Bryan Jackson (2022–2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: Rob Whittle (2024) — Board Member · Filing note: Thru 123124
- Former: Phyllis Patterson (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Whittle (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Christian Foster (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Christopher Foster (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Molly Dahl (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Rabbi David Spinrad (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Ericka Miller (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Eugene Steuerle (2020–2021) — Chair Emeritus
- Former: Kelly Grant (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Kurt Huffman (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Lori Morris (2020–2021) — Emeritus
- Former: Sydney Etheredge (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Brooke Curran (2020) — Member
- Former: Christopher Lewis (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Daniel Rogers (2020) — Member
- Former: David Frantz (2020) — Chair
- Former: David Hawkins (2020) — Member
- Former: Debra Collins (2020) — Member
- Former: Jane Downing Knops (2020) — Member
- Former: Lauren Stack (2020) — Member
- Former: Lyles Carr (2020) — Member
- Former: Magaly Galdo-Hirst (2020) — Member
- Former: Neil Parent (2020) — Member
- Former: Paul Stevens (2020) — Member
- Former: Trip Howell (2020) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $233K, to Heather Peeler (President & CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Act for Alexandria
How much does Act for Alexandria give each year?
Act for Alexandria gave $3.5M across 108 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.9M across 122 grants.
What is Act for Alexandria's typical grant size?
Act for Alexandria's median grant in 2024 was $12,811, and its average grant was $31,953, across 108 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Act for Alexandria that year got $44K on average.
Where does Act for Alexandria give grants?
Act for Alexandria gives mostly in Virginia: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Alexandria, VA (64 grants), Arlington, VA (9 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants) and Richmond, VA (2 grants).
Does Act for Alexandria give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 108 grants with a stated purpose on Act for Alexandria's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (108 grants).
Who are Act for Alexandria's largest grantees?
Act for Alexandria's largest 2024 grantees include Arlington Community Foundation ($788,280), Alexandria Seaport Foundation ($408,250) and Virginia Health Care Foundation ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Act for Alexandria?
Act for Alexandria reported $21.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.0M.
What does Act for Alexandria fund?
ACT’s mission is “to amplify the work of our community by bringing people and resources together.” Its website describes a vision of Alexandria as a just, vibrant, equitable place where people who live and work there thrive and feel they belong. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Act for Alexandria?
For the 2026 capacity-building opportunity, eligible organizations are directed to complete the application through ACT’s grant management system during the stated application period. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Gannett Foundation’s 2025 grants supported a range of organizations, with listed awards generally between $1,500 and $2,500, though the available figures do not establish a typical grant size or geographic focus. The foundation has wound down: its 2026 filing reports no grants or assets, and no current application process or acceptance of unsolicited requests is stated.
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—
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Total Given
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The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Inc
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Assets
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Grants
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Total Given
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Arlington Community Foundation
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Assets
$50.6M
Grants
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Total Given
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Assets
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Grants
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Total Given
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United Way of the National Capital Area
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Total Given
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Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Act for Alexandria funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/act-for-alexandria-morg_9f42e37fa7934286a13db3c0b20a17fa
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_264322369_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Act for Alexandria funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/act-for-alexandria-morg_9f42e37fa7934286a13db3c0b20a17fa},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Act for Alexandria's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Act for Alexandria down — hundreds of funders to go?