Birdsong Charitable Foundation
Birdsong Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Suffolk, Virginia. Its 2024 grants supported organizations and projects with purposes including education, social assistance, arts, and youth recreation.
Birdsong Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Birdsong Charitable Foundation gave $999K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $53K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $998,500
- +121.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- -20.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $52,553
- +180.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $9,685,488
- -3.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Virginia (72% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Birdsong Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1400, Suffolk, VA 23439
Phone: (757) 539-3456
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Birdsong Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Global Action Platform ($250K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $998K.
Grant Size Distribution
203 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 152 grants of 203 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 72% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia, 25% to recipients in Tennessee, and 3% to recipients in Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Birdsong Charitable Foundation gives
- 9% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 56% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 192% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $7K (2022) to $2.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $999K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nansemond Suffolk Academy Suffolk, VA | Education | $100,000 |
| Operation Smile Virginia Beach, VA | Social Assistance | $100,000 |
| Randolph Macon College Ashland, VA | Education | $100,000 |
| Suffolk Center for the Cultural Art Suffolk, VA | ARTS | $100,000 |
| Suffolk Center for the Cultural Art Suffolk, VA | ARTS | $100,000 |
| Global Action Platform Nashville, TN | Social Assistance | $100,000 |
| Global Action Platform Nashville, TN | Social Assistance | $100,000 |
| Suffolk Youth Athletic Association Suffolk, VA | Youth Recreation | $50,000 |
| Nansemond Suffolk Academy Suffolk, VA | Education | $50,000 |
| Randolph Macon College Ashland, VA | Education | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Birdsong Charitable Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,685,488 | $760,919 | $1,107,263 | $998,500 | 19 | $1,003,500 | $358,387 | $523,521 |
| 2023 | $10,036,567 | $345,478 | $548,262 | $450,500 | 24 | $450,500 | $283,075 | $496,320 |
| 2022 | $10,245,521 | $2,101,867 | $90,716 | $7,105 | 1 | $7,105 | $204,245 | $461,864 |
| 2021 | $8,235,918 | $1,734,283 | $2,339,037 | $2,269,500 | 133 | $2,269,500 | $237,494 | $436,881 |
| 2020 | $8,840,672 | $353,146 | $1,717,876 | $1,636,000 | 26 | — | $252,911 | $480,224 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Birdsong Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $524K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for education, social assistance, arts, and youth recreation. Among its grantees, Global Action Platform describes its work as advancing solutions for food, health, and prosperity through regional innovation hubs. Operation Smile describes its work as providing surgery for people born with cleft lip and cleft palate and other surgical conditions, as well as medical education and health-system support in lower- and middle-income countries. The Virginia College Fund says it solicits public contributions on behalf of member colleges and helps donors support small colleges and universities in Virginia.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 19 grants totaling $998,500. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $50,000.
Notable 2024 grants included $100,000 each to Nansemond Suffolk Academy for education, Operation Smile for social assistance, Randolph-Macon College for education, Suffolk Center for the Cultural Art for arts, and Global Action Platform for social assistance. Other reported grants included $50,000 to Suffolk Youth Athletic Association for youth recreation and $30,000 to MANA Nutrition for social assistance.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists George Y. Birdsong, Stephen L. Huber, Charles R. Birdsong, Everett B. Birdsong, and S. Paul Huber as directors.
Birdsong Charitable Foundation is led by Charles R. Birdsong, Director & President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charles R. Birdsong
Director & President
Director → Director & President, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
George Y. Birdsong
Director & Ass
Director & Treasurer → Director & Ass, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Stephen L. Huber
Director
Director & Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Everett B. Birdsong
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
S. Paul Huber
Director & Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Thomas H. Birdsong (2020) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Birdsong Charitable Foundation
How much does Birdsong Charitable Foundation give each year?
Birdsong Charitable Foundation gave $999K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $451K across 24 grants.
What is Birdsong Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Birdsong Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $52,553, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Birdsong Charitable Foundation give grants?
Birdsong Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Tennessee (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Suffolk, VA (10 grants), Nashville, TN (3 grants) and Ashland, VA (2 grants).
Does Birdsong Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Birdsong Charitable Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Social Assistance" (8 grants), "Education" (6 grants) and "Arts" (3 grants).
Who are Birdsong Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Birdsong Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Global Action Platform ($250,000 across 3 grants), Suffolk Center for the Cultural Art ($210,000 across 3 grants) and Nansemond Suffolk Academy ($150,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Birdsong Charitable Foundation?
Birdsong Charitable Foundation reported $9.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $524K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Birdsong Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for education, social assistance, arts, and youth recreation. Among its grantees, Global Action Platform describes its work as advancing solutions for food, health, and prosperity through regional innovation hubs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Birdsong Charitable Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Birdsong Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Birdsong Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1607210. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Birdsong Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Birdsong Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Suffolk Foundation
Suffolk, VA
The Suffolk Foundation funds nonprofit projects in human needs, arts and culture, education, the environment and animal welfare, and health that serve Suffolk and Western Tidewater, Virginia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,100 to $81,100, with a median of $11,300. It accepted applications for its 2025 grant programs; the deadline was October 15, 2025.
Assets
$22.2M
Grants
58
Total Given
$1.1M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Birdsong Trust Fund
Suffolk, VA
Assets
$2.0M
Grants
8
Total Given
$104K
The Blocker Foundation
Suffolk, VA
The Blocker Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Hampton Roads in areas including nourishment, shelter, education, economic opportunity, and the environment. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,140 to $250,000, with a median of about $58,000; the service area covers southeastern Virginia and three North Carolina counties. Unsolicited requests are considered through an LOI process, but applicants must first speak with foundation staff.
Assets
$107.6M
Grants
69
Total Given
$4.6M
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
The Pruden Foundation
Virginia Beach, VA
The Pruden Foundation’s grants have supported community philanthropy, arts, legal aid, meals for homebound people, and poverty alleviation, with a traditional focus on Western Tidewater, Virginia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,567,935, with a median of $5,500; it has transitioned to a donor-advised fund and no longer accepts formal grant applications.
Assets
—
Grants
26
Total Given
$2.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Virginia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Birdsong Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/birdsong-charitable-foundation-morg_be7b23a9f650466689253d7ec604e1e4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_541607210_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Birdsong Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/birdsong-charitable-foundation-morg_be7b23a9f650466689253d7ec604e1e4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Birdsong Charitable Foundation'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.
Birdsong Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?