Dignity of Work
Dignity of Work is a private foundation based in Midlothian, Virginia. It supports people facing employment barriers related to incarceration or substance use disorder, with assistance focused on transportation and other resources that can help them secure work.
Dignity of Work at a glance
In short: Dignity of Work gave $30K across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $29,901
- +1850.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 24
- +2300.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,246
- -18.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $520
- Total assets
- $11,730
- -53.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Dignity of Work
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The website provides an application for assistance, but the 2024 filing states that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 16102 Founders Bridge Terrace, Midlothian, VA 23113
Phone: (804) 837-0953
Website: https://www.thedignityofwork.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dignity of Work funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Meek Motors ($7K). Together the top 10 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 27 grants of 27 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website identifies Richmond and surrounding counties as its service area and says Virginians are its priority. In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia and 3% to recipients in Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
How Dignity of Work gives
- Giving grew 3298% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $489 (2023) to $30K (2025). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $30K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Meek Motors Powhatan, VA | Car purchases | $7,105 |
| Dept of Motor Vehicles Richmond, VA | Drivers license fee | $5,252 |
| National General Insurance Glen Allen, VA | Car insurance | $4,372 |
| Chesterfield Auto Parts Richmond, VA | Vehicle parts | $2,200 |
| Goodwill Richmond, VA | Computer purchases | $1,616 |
| Sara R Wilson Trust Richmond, VA | Drive to Work program | $1,292 |
| Sixty Service Richmond, VA | Car repairs | $1,273 |
| Mechanics of Faith King William, VA | Car repairs | $1,130 |
| Civitek Tallahassee, FL | Drivers license expenses | $893 |
| Midas of Richmond Richmond, VA | Car repairs | $707 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,730 | $28,095 | $44,307 | $29,901 | 24 | $29,901 |
| 2024 | $25,071 | $45,807 | $22,288 | $1,533 | 1 | $18,452 |
| 2023 | $1,552 | $15,168 | $16,294 | $489 | 1 | $13,488 |
| 2022 | $2,678 | — | $3,147 | $880 | 1 | $3,147 |
| 2021 | $5,825 | $7,250 | $1,425 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to empower people who have experienced hardship through incarceration or substance use disorder to overcome transportation-related obstacles that hinder access to the workplace. It describes support for resources such as vehicle maintenance, restoring driving privileges, vehicle purchase and insurance, computers, tools, uniforms, tuition, and skills training. Its 2024 filing also describes direct charitable activity as providing physical and monetary resources for people seeking employment after incarceration and alcohol or drug rehabilitation.
The 2025 grants included payments for car purchases, driver’s license expenses, insurance, repairs, vehicle parts, computers, and a drive-to-work program. Among the organizations it supported, Mechanics of Faith says its mission is to provide affordable automotive repairs for people in need so they can access safe, reliable transportation. The Center for Nonprofit Excellence describes itself as a champion, learning partner, and advisor for Virginia nonprofits.
Grantmaking
In 2025, Dignity of Work reported 24 grants totaling $29,901. Grant amounts ranged from $55 to $7,105, with a median of $520. Notable recipients included Meek Motors ($7,105 for car purchases), the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles ($5,252 for driver’s license fees), National General Insurance ($4,372 for car insurance), Chesterfield Auto Parts ($2,200 for vehicle parts), and Goodwill ($1,616 for computer purchases). Mechanics of Faith received $1,130 for car repairs, and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence received $100.
The foundation’s website says eligibility is assessed using income level, work history, the application, references, and an interview. Its application page says applicants may be asked for more information, invited to an interview, or declined. Applicants are asked about their employment goals, needed resources, and work history; they may attach a resume or provide work history and explain employment gaps. The website says priority is given to people graduating from substance use disorder recovery programs or released from incarceration. It also states that race, creed, religious or political affiliation, and non-violent felony convictions are not considered in decisions. The 2024 filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Thomas Walker as President, Mike Morrison as Vice President, Denise White as Secretary, and Victoria Phillips as Treasurer. It lists Beverly Smith, Mike Kiefer, Christian Vaughn, and Kevin Bender as directors.
Dignity of Work is led by Thomas Walker, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Thomas Walker
President
On filings since 2021
25 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christian Vaughn
Director
Trustee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Kiefer
Director
Trustee → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beverly Smith
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Bender
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Morrison
Vice President
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise White
Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Phillips
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Julie Tucker (2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Ann Forloines (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Nathan Jones (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kayte Oard (2023) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Dignity of Work
How much does Dignity of Work give each year?
Dignity of Work gave $30K across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2K across 1 grant.
What is Dignity of Work's typical grant size?
Dignity of Work's median grant in 2025 was $520, and its average grant was $1,246, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Dignity of Work give grants?
Dignity of Work gives mostly in Virginia: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Richmond, VA (15 grants).
Does Dignity of Work give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 24 grants with a stated purpose on Dignity of Work's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Car repairs" (5 grants) and "Property tax payment" (3 grants).
Who are Dignity of Work's largest grantees?
Dignity of Work's largest 2025 grantees include Meek Motors ($7,105), Dept of Motor Vehicles ($5,252) and National General Insurance ($4,372), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Dignity of Work?
Dignity of Work reported $12K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $28K.
What does Dignity of Work fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to empower people who have experienced hardship through incarceration or substance use disorder to overcome transportation-related obstacles that hinder access to the workplace. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dignity of Work?
The website provides an application for assistance, but the 2024 filing states that the foundation 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 Dignity of Work's EIN?
Dignity of Work's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-2697170. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Dignity of Work 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Dignity of Work funds
Employment Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Dignity of Work's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Dignity of Work'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.
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