Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc
The Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. is a public charity based in Bluefield, West Virginia. It makes grants and awards scholarships in Mercer County, West Virginia; Tazewell County, Virginia; and surrounding areas, supporting community organizations and students.
Key facts about Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc
In short: Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc gave $483K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), top state Virginia. 52% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 55-0724623
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $483,044
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- Average grant
- $21,002
- Median grant
- $12,769
- New grantees (estimate)
- 52% first-time grantees (12 of 23, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $15,447,561
- Primary geography
- Virginia (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation provides guidelines and an application for its grants cycle. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$15.4M
+9.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$483K
+106.6% YoY
Grant Count
23
+15.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+79.6% YoY
Is Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc open to new grantees?
52%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 23 grantees (52%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $13K 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to promote education, health, beautification, youth, and recreation in the greater southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia areas.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose own missions address outdoor recreation for people with intellectual or physical limitations (Outside Dreams), child advocacy and family resources (Child Protect of Mercer County), arts-based opportunities in downtown Bluefield (Bluefield Arts and Revitalization), Appalachian cultural heritage (Historic Crab Orchard Museum), and organic farming and forestry conservation education (Appalachian Sustainable Development).
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $483,044. Grants ranged from $6,062 to $80,000, with a median of $12,769. Its largest reported awards included $80,000 to Outside Dreams in Tazewell, Virginia; $75,782 to Clinch Valley Community Action Joy Camp in North Tazewell, Virginia; and $50,000 each to Sacred Heart Church and the City of Bluefield Playground in Bluefield, West Virginia.
The foundation’s website describes an annual grants program and says the Grants Cycle will be open for applications early in 2026. That cycle is in the past as of September 28, 2026. The website provides grants guidelines and an application. Program information says eligible applicants are tax-exempt organizations or public institutions, and that the foundation does not fund individual support or ongoing operating expenses. Funded applicants must acknowledge the foundation’s support.
How to Apply
The foundation provides guidelines and an application for its grants cycle. Its website describes the 2026 cycle as opening early in the year; that cycle is past.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it serves Mercer County, West Virginia; Tazewell County, Virginia; and surrounding areas. In filing year 2024, 49% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia, 48% to West Virginia, and 3% to Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $113K (2021) to $483K (2024). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $483K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Outside Dreams ($80K). Together the top 10 received $362K.
Grant Size Distribution
84 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 80 grants of 84 (95%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Dreams Tazewell, VA | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $80,000 |
| Clinch Valley Community Action Joy Camp North Tazewell, VA | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $75,782 |
| Sacred Heart Church Bluefield, WV | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $50,000 |
| City of Bluefield Playground Bluefield, WV | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $50,000 |
| Richlands Fire-Rescue (Rescue Division) Richlands, VA | Assist police and fire departments, parks and recreation, and other general | $25,000 |
| City of Bluefield Parks & Rec Dept Bluefield, WV | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $23,915 |
| Bluefield Beautification Commission Bluefield, WV | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $15,134 |
| Abwe Foundation Harrisburg, PA | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $15,000 |
| Child Protect of Mercer County Princeton, WV | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $14,000 |
| Helpful Harvest Food Bank Athens, WV | Support the Mission of the Organizations | $13,560 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,447,561 | $1,234,075 | $1,130,828 | $483,044 |
| 2023 | $14,082,126 | $867,621 | $1,167,069 | $233,817 |
| 2022 | $13,049,544 | $615,581 | $920,418 | $250,943 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,447,561 | $14,082,126 | $13,049,544 |
| Revenue | $1,234,075 | $867,621 | $615,581 |
| Expenses | $1,130,828 | $1,167,069 | $920,418 |
| Net Investment Income | $522,436 | $471,646 | $405,054 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Julie Johnson as president, Gene Bailey as vice president, Mary Jo Babbitt as secretary, and James Shott as executive director. It also lists Mary Azzo, Jack Asbury, Kathleen Blaydes, Craig Hammond, Doris Sue Kantor, and Rick Kendrick as board members.
Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc is led by James Shott, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 24 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James Shott
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$20K (2020) → $20K (2024)
Julie Johnson
President
Board Member → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebekah Ritter
Assistant
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$27K (2022) → $39K (2024)
Craig Hammond
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Shortridge
Board Member
Board Member → President, 2021
President → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Garton
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doris Sue Kantor
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gene Bailey
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Asbury
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Blaydes
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Azzo
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Jo Babbitt
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Swatts
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter Taylor
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Kendrick
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Hill
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacey Hicks
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Chaffins
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Wells
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathy Payne
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melinda Testerman
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Cofer
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Shott
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maggie Asbury
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Kermit Moore (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Marie Blackwell (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Betty Bailey (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Bob Perkinson (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Carole Dodson (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Frank Brady (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Harry Kammer (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Raub (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Betty Vandyke (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Gina Boggess (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin Worley (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Sara Whitt (2020) — Board 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 $39K, to Rebekah Ritter (Assistant). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 4127, Bluefield, WV 24701
Phone: (304) 324-0222
Website: https://cfvinc.org
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc
How much does Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc give each year?
Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc gave $483K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $234K across 20 grants.
What is Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc's median grant in 2024 was $12,769, and its average grant was $21,002, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc that year got $28K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc give grants?
Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc's top state is Virginia, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest state was West Virginia (48%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bluefield, WV (10 grants), Tazewell, VA (3 grants) and Princeton, WV (2 grants).
Does Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 22% of Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 23) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Support the Mission of the Organizations" (18 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Outside Dreams ($80,000), Clinch Valley Community Action Joy Camp ($75,782) and Sacred Heart Church ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 43% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc?
Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc reported $15.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What does Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to promote education, health, beautification, youth, and recreation in the greater southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc?
The foundation provides guidelines and an application for its grants cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc's EIN?
Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0724623. 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 September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Community Foundation of the Virginias Inc by hand.
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