Beazley Foundation Incorporated
Beazley Foundation Incorporated is a private foundation based in Portsmouth, Virginia, established in 1948. The foundation was created to honor the legacy of Fred W. Beazley, a self-made entrepreneur who built his fortune in the coal and ice industries during the early 20th century. Recognizing his own educational limitations, Beazley dedicated his estate to supporting educational and charitable initiatives in his community. The foundation remains privately endowed and neither solicits nor accepts donations from external sources.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$42.5M
+2.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+12.3% YoY
Grant Count
58
+26.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
-10.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Beazley Foundation Incorporated reported a distributable amount of $2.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
From its inception in 1948, the foundation's primary focus has been addressing the needs of the community and young people, consistent with the founder's vision. The foundation supports organizations and programs in the following areas:
- Education (primary focus, including elementary, secondary, higher, graduate, professional, and medical education)
- Healthcare (in-patient medical care, hospital care, disease treatment)
- Housing
- Recreation (recreation centers for adults and children)
- Human Services (youth development, youth services, services for older adults, homeless services)
- Community and Economic Development
- Religion (parochial schools and religious charitable activities)
- Sports and Recreation
The foundation serves diverse populations including children, adolescents, adults, older adults, economically disadvantaged individuals, homeless people, low-income people, and people with disabilities.
Grantmaking
The foundation awards grants only to organizations that are:
Average Grant
amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not disclosed in sources
Review Cycle
and specific formatting requirements. All grants are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, which exercises sole and absolute discretion.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Although the foundation historically favored projects within Portsmouth, it now funds nonprofits throughout South Hampton Roads and, on occasion, beyond. The foundation has supported organizations in Virginia, Washington D.C., Illinois, and Kentucky.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $42,485,786
- Total Revenues: $4,833,669
- Total Expenses: $3,577,885
- Total Giving: $1,794,628
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $41.5 million
- Total Revenues: $2.95 million
- Total Expenses: $3.35 million
Organization Status:
- Tax-exempt since July 1994
- EIN: 54-0550100
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $42,485,786 | $41,468,238 | $41,626,561 |
| Revenue | $4,833,669 | $2,950,539 | $3,312,014 |
| Expenses | $3,577,885 | $3,345,795 | $3,333,776 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,063,019 | $2,832,945 | $2,804,239 |
| Net Investment Income | $683,657 | $576,810 | $542,241 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,599,495 | $2,409,834 | $2,488,000 |
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
245 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Beazley Foundation Incorporated
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Childrens Hospital of the Kings Dau ($125,000), Christopher Newport University ($125,000), Old Dominion University ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABILITY CENTER OF VIRGINIA VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | GRANT | $5,000 |
| ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION NORFOLK, VA | GRANT | $102,000 |
| ALL TRADES OF TIDEWATER NORFOLK, VA | GRANT | $25,000 |
| BARRIER ISLANDS CENTER MACHIPONGO, VA | GRANT | $20,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOP 6 CHESAPEAKE, VA | GRANT | $50,000 |
| BUFFALOW FAMILY AND FRIENDS CHESAPEAKE, VA | GRANT | $20,000 |
| CHESAPEAKE CARE CLINIC CHESAPEAKE, VA | GRANT | $5,000 |
| CHESAPEAKE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY CHESAPEAKE, VA | GRANT | $3,150 |
| CHESAPEAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHESAPEAKE, VA | GRANT | $10,000 |
| CHESAPEAKE REGIONAL HEALTH FOUNDATI CHESAPEAKE, VA | GRANT | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Richard S. Bray – Chairman of the Board (compensation: $40,000 as of 2024)
- Robert S. Best – President (compensation: $243,907 as of 2025)
- Patricia A. Carlson – Treasurer/Comptroller
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT S BEST | PRESIDENT | 40 | $243,907 |
| DIANE POMEROY GRIFFIN | VICE PRESIDE | 2 | $10,000 |
| P WARD ROBINETT JR | SECRETARY | 2 | $10,000 |
| LAWRENCE W I'ANSON III | TRUSTEE | 2 | $10,000 |
| W ASHTON LEWIS | TRUSTEE | 2 | $10,000 |
| JOHN FAILES | TRUSTEE | 2 | $10,000 |
| CHRISTINE PIERSALL | TRUSTEE | 2 | $10,000 |
| PATRICIA A CARLSON | TREASURER | 24 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made several significant commitments in recent years, including:
A $200,000 grant to support a new aquatics center at Pipsico Scout Reservation
News Release: Beazley Foundation Awards $200,000 Grant to Support New AquaticsCreation of the W. Ashton Lewis Sr. Endowed Scholarship
Beazley Foundation creates W. Ashton Lewis Sr. Endowed Scholarship | OldAn endowed scholarship at Regent University
Beazley Foundation creates W. Ashton Lewis Sr. Endowed Scholarship | OldA $500,000 commitment to Old Dominion University's College of Health Sciences
Beazley Foundation Commits $500K to ODU\u2019s College of Health Sciences\Contact Information
Address: 3720 Brighton Street, Portsmouth, VA 23707
Phone: (757) 393-1605
Fax: (757) 393-4708
Email: info@beazleyfoundation.org
Hours of Operation: Weekdays 9am-4pm
Website: beazleyfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Beazley Foundation Incorporated fund?
From its inception in 1948, the foundation's primary focus has been addressing the needs of the community and young people, consistent with the founder's vision. The foundation supports organizations and programs in the following areas: • **Education** (primary focus, including elementary, secondary, higher, graduate, professional, and medical education) • **Healthcare** (in-patient medical care, hospital care, disease treatment) • **Housing** • **Recreation** (recreation centers for adults and…
How do I apply for a grant from Beazley Foundation Incorporated?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $515 to $125,000 • Average grant amount and median grant amount data available but specific figures not disclosed in sources • The foundation made 49 grants in 2024 **Grant Policy:** The foundation awards grants only to organizations that are: • Tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code • Engaged in educational, charitable, and religious (parochial schools) activities **What the Foundation Does NOT Support:** • C…
Where does Beazley Foundation Incorporated make grants?
Although the foundation historically favored projects within Portsmouth, it now funds nonprofits throughout South Hampton Roads and, on occasion, beyond. The foundation has supported organizations in Virginia, Washington D.C., Illinois, and Kentucky.
What size grants does Beazley Foundation Incorporated award?
In 2024, Beazley Foundation Incorporated awarded 58 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $31K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Beazley Foundation Incorporated required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Beazley Foundation Incorporated reported a distributable amount of $2.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Beazley Foundation Incorporated's EIN?
Beazley Foundation Incorporated's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-0550100. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Beazley Foundation Incorporated'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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