Charlottesville Area Community
The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation is a community foundation and 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to philanthropic fundraising and grantmaking. Founded in 1967, the organization is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, and serves as a vehicle for donors to direct charitable giving and for the community to address emerging needs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$292.3M
-1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$27.9M
+26.6% YoY
Grant Count
437
-39.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$64K
+107.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for those living and working in the city of Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Greene, Orange, Louisa, Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Nelson.
The Foundation describes itself as "community-centered" and "equity-forward," committed to helping the region be a place where everyone can belong, contribute, participate, and thrive. Primary funding areas include education, human services, and philanthropy/voluntarism/grantmaking.
Grantmaking
The Foundation operates a competitive grantmaking program that accepts proposals from local nonprofit organizations at different times throughout the year. In 2023, the Foundation:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily funds initiatives in Central Virginia, including Charlottesville and the surrounding seven counties: Albemarle, Greene, Orange, Louisa, Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Nelson. Grants also extend to initiatives in New York and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $292,325,553
- Total Revenue: $39,000,000
- Total Expenses: $34,900,000
- Total Liabilities: $26,600,000
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $297,514,304
- Total Revenue: $29,228,230
- Total Expenses: $30,468,022
The Foundation maintains a four-star rating based on accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $292,325,553 | $297,514,304 | $282,309,437 |
| Revenue | $39,042,429 | $29,228,230 | $34,031,723 |
| Expenses | $34,865,645 | $30,468,022 | $22,101,245 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $15,669,323 | $15,063,388 | $8,615,457 |
| 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
19 open opportunities from Charlottesville Area Community
Ballyshannon Fund Grant
CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA COMMUNITY
Amount
US $500 - US $25,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bama Works Fund Grant
CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA COMMUNITY
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band
CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA COMMUNITY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund ($500,181), Atta Impact Capital Inc ($375,000), Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia ($357,471).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 BLACK MEN OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA NEW ORLEANS, VA | M3 ACADEMY, IN MEMORY OF ELIJAH BERLIN WITT AND GENERAL PURPOSES | $89,500 |
| ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION LOUISA, VA | ACTIVITIES OUTLINED IN BAMA WORKS GRANT APPLICATION - ENGLISH FOR EVERYONE! AND TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE THEIR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, SPECIFICALLY ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES. | $11,500 |
| ADVANCED ENERGY ECONOMY INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING TO BE USED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA | $45,000 |
| AFRICAN-AMERICAN TEACHING FELLOWS OF CHARLOTTESVILLE-ALBEMARLE INC CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GENERAL PURPOSES, IN MEMORY OF KATE AND BUDDY KESSLER FROM SHELAH SCOTT AND GENERAL SUPPORT | $102,250 |
| ALBEMARLE CHARLOTTESVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | SUPPORT OF MAGAZINE OF ALBEMARLE CHARLOTTESVILLE HISTORY, THE ALICE IVORY EXHIBIT FROM SHELAH SCOTT, AND GENERAL PURPOSES IN HONOR OF GEORGE GILLIAM | $62,250 |
| ALBEMARLE COUNTY POLICE FOUNDATION CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $13,500 |
| ALBEMARLE HIGH SCHOOL CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND ANDMUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AHS GRADUATING SENIORS, IN HONOR OF LEROI'S FATHER | $16,000 |
| ALBEMARLE HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | SAFE AT HOME PROGRAMS, GENERAL PURPOES AND BAMA WORKS | $72,250 |
| ALL BLESSINGS FLOW CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | GENERAL PURPOSES AND ABF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT REUSE & RURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM | $34,250 |
| ALLIANCE FOR INTERFAITH MINISTRIES CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | COALITION FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND SENIOR HEALTH & SAFETY PROJECT | $12,750 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Leslie Lynn Smith serves as CEO and President. Ryan Jacoby serves as Director of Operations.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR JOSEPHUS ALLMOND | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR ANTWON BRINSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR BOB DOWNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS HELENE DOWNS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS LIBBY EDWARDS-ALLBAUGH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR CHARLES LEWIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR RAY MISHLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS ASHLEIGH O'BRIEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR GLENN RUST | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MRS DIANE SCHMIDT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MR ROBERT D SWEENEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS BETHAN TEACHMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MS ANDREA ROBERTS | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| MRS KRISTIN HENNINGSEN | VICE-CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JAKE ZARNEGAR | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| BRENNAN GOULD | PRESIDENT, TREASURER & CEO | 40 | $300,202 |
| RYAN JACOBY | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 40 | $167,153 |
| EBONI BUGG | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY INVE | 40 | $152,092 |
| TERREL WHITE | DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $124,800 |
| ALEXANDER GROSS | SR. PROGRAMS MANAGER | 40 | $104,875 |
| JUSTIN REID | SR. PROGRAMS MANAGER | 40 | $102,752 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, the Foundation granted $300,000 to organizations working on issues of injustice. The Foundation has continued to support multi-year commitments through its discretionary grants portfolio and launched new programs responding to changing regional needs. The Bama Works Fund announced end-of-year grants, and the Foundation has supported grant funding for community partnership programming in area schools.
Community Foundation grants $300K to organizations fighting ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Charlottesville Area Community fund?
The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for those living and working in the city of Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Greene, Orange, Louisa, Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Nelson. The Foundation describes itself as "community-centered" and "equity-forward," committed to helping the region be a place where everyone can belong, contribute, participate, and thrive. Primary funding areas include education, human services, and philanthropy/voluntarism/grantmak…
How do I apply for a grant from Charlottesville Area Community?
The Foundation operates a competitive grantmaking program that accepts proposals from local nonprofit organizations at different times throughout the year. In 2023, the Foundation: • Received contributions totaling $26,741,334 from 1,217 donors making 2,036 donations • Disbursed 2,483 grants totaling $25,882,021 to the region • Supported 189 students through scholarship support totaling $770,527 • Opened 10 new funds and managed 391 funds as of December 31, 2023 Typical grant awards range from …
Where does Charlottesville Area Community make grants?
The Foundation primarily funds initiatives in Central Virginia, including Charlottesville and the surrounding seven counties: Albemarle, Greene, Orange, Louisa, Fluvanna, Buckingham, and Nelson. Grants also extend to initiatives in New York and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does Charlottesville Area Community award?
In 2024, Charlottesville Area Community awarded 437 grants totaling $27.9M — an average of about $64K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Charlottesville Area Community's EIN?
Charlottesville Area Community's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1506312. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Charlottesville Area Community'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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