Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation
The an individual recipient Foundation (ESVCF) is based in Onley, Virginia, and supports nonprofits serving Virginia’s Eastern Shore through grants and charitable funds. The foundation says it focuses solely on Accomack and Northampton counties and is an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation gave $849K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $50K), mostly in Virginia. 81% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $848,750
- +180.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +70.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $49,926
- +64.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $652,087
- +23.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 81% first-time grantees (13 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a concept proposal submitted before a full proposal. Applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), and projects must directly benefit residents of Accomack or Northampton counties. With rare exceptions for special projects, an organization must have completed at least one full fiscal year and submitted a Form 990. The foundation does not fund individuals, general operating expenses, fundraising events or campaigns, endowments, scholarships, fellowships, scholarly research, existing obligations or debts, or political, fraternal, or religious activities. Private schools and religious organizations are excluded unless the program provides a significant, broad-based and inclusive community benefit; national or international organizations must restrict grant funds to local benefit.
- Review Cycle
- The stated deadlines are March 1 for Spring grants and September 1 for Fall and Field of Interest grants. The 2026 dates have passed as of October 2, 2026. Applicants first submit a concept proposal; full proposals are submitted only after selection for further consideration. The board considers eligible applications at its April and October meetings.
- Deadline
- The stated deadlines are March 1 for Spring grants and September 1 for Fall and Field of Interest grants.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 205, Onley, VA 23418
Phone: (757) 789-0910
Website: https://esvcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation Grants
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
ESVCF Community Grants Program- Fall Cycle
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
ESVCF Community Grants Program- Spring Cycle
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Hampton Roads Community Foundation ($512K). Together the top 10 received $795K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($10,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 38 grants of 56 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
ESVCF says it focuses solely on Accomack and Northampton counties, and its Community Grants require projects to directly benefit residents of either county. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia and 1% to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation open to new grantees?
81%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 16 grantees (81%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $60K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $7K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2018–2025). 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 2018 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $223K (2023) to $849K (2025). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $849K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hampton Roads Community Foundation Norfolk, VA | For addition to endowed unrestricted, field of interest and donor advised funds held and managed by Hampton Roads Community Foundation. | $511,750 |
| Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore Norfolk, VA | $50,000 to Purchase forklift for Eastern Shore facility. $10,000 to support food purchases | $60,000 |
| Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society Inc Onancock, VA | Support project to repair roofs on historic Ker Place and Hopkins Brothers Store. | $45,000 |
| The Randy Custis Memorial Fund Nassawadox, VA | Lighting for soccer fields for evening play | $40,000 |
| ESVA Housing Mission Onley, VA | Purchase equipment trailer for construction materials and tools. | $36,000 |
| Northampton County Education Foundation Machipongo, VA | Purchase LEGO Education SPIKE and personal learning kits for integration into STEM curriculum for elementary school students in Northampton County. | $32,000 |
| Eastern Shore Area Agency on Aging Community Action Agency Exmore, VA | Replace HVAC equipment in Hallwood facility and support purchase of new senior transportation bus. | $25,000 |
| No Limits Eastern Shore Tasley, VA | Purchase vehicle for case manager use and to transport clients. | $25,000 |
| Eastern Shore Rural Health System Onancock, VA | To support Health Bridge program to provide needs-based discounted health services. | $10,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing identifies ESVCF as a public charity filing Form 990.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $652,087 | $1,071,925 | $927,754 | $848,750 | 17 | $65,567 |
| 2024 | $529,058 | $457,885 | $388,291 | $303,000 | 10 | $42,088 |
| 2023 | $539,416 | $367,649 | $377,973 | $223,000 | 7 | $5,851 |
| 2022 | $491,364 | $347,089 | $529,975 | $360,900 | 11 | $-32,688 |
| 2021 | $675,184 | $479,918 | $502,011 | $413,600 | 11 | $104,153 |
| 2020 | $697,277 | $415,550 | $326,242 | $239,000 | 8 | $6 |
| 2019 | $607,970 | $433,805 | $376,935 | $329,850 | 11 | $9 |
| 2018 | $509,586 | $403,021 | $314,079 | $261,000 | 7 | $6 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to benefit Virginia’s Eastern Shore by enabling donors to meet their charitable goals through endowed funds, educating donors about effective philanthropy and grantmaking, and meeting emerging community needs.
Its stated focus areas include arts and culture, child, family and social services, community vitality, economic resilience, education, environment, and health. The foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations serving the Shore. Among its 2025 grantees, the an individual recipient Society describes its work as preserving historic buildings and promoting historical and educational projects. No Limits Eastern Shore says it is dedicated to improving the lives of brain injury survivors, and an individual recipient Rural Health describes its work as operating federally supported community health centers.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, ESVCF gave $848,750 through 17 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $511,750, with a median of $10,000. The largest grant, $511,750, went to Hampton Roads Community Foundation for addition to endowed unrestricted, field-of-interest, and donor-advised funds held and managed by that foundation. Other large grants included $60,000 to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the an individual recipient for a forklift and food purchases; $45,000 to the an individual recipient Society for roof repairs; and $40,000 to the Randy Custis Memorial Fund for soccer-field lighting.
The foundation’s website describes two annual Community Grants cycles. Spring grants support capital projects and ongoing programs with documented successful outcomes, with a limit of $50,000. Fall Small Grants support smaller projects, seed funding for innovative work in priority areas, and nonprofit capacity building, with a limit of $10,000. It also describes Field of Interest grants, including a fund for health and well-being and a program intended to support organizations serving people affected by child labor or working to prevent labor trafficking.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Monika Bridgforth as Executive Director. Directors listed are Cara Jane Burton, Chair; Bill Payne, Vice Chair; John Burdiss, Secretary/Treasurer; Nick Chuquin; Andre Elliott; William O’Hare; Ann Hayward Walker; Beth Sharpley; and James Shaeffer.
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation is led by Monika Bridgforth, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 11 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Monika Bridgforth
Executive Director
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
32 hrs/week
$25K (2024) → $48K (2025)
Andre Elliott
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Payne
Director
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cara Jane Burton
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick Chuquin
Director
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William O'Hare
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Hayward Walker
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Burdiss
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Sharpley
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Shaeffer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie West
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Julie M Badger (2018–2024) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Robert Leatherbury (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Karen Downing (2024) — Director
- Former: Roberta Newman (2019–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Katie O'Shea (2023) — Director
- Former: Bruce D. Holland (2018–2022) — Chair
- Former: Chris Bott (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Joyce Holland (2018–2021) — Director
- Former: Robin Rinaca (2018–2021) — Secretary Treasurer
- Former: Robert J Bloxom (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mozella Francis (2018–2020) — Director
- Former: Richard F Hall III (2018–2020) — Chair
- Former: Norman Thibodeaux (2018–2019) — Director
- Former: Timothy Brown (2018–2019) — Vice Chair
- Former: Maureen A Lawrence (2018) — Chair
- Former: Susan D Nottingham (2018) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $48K, to Monika Bridgforth (Exec Dir).
Frequently asked questions about Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation
How much does Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation give each year?
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation gave $849K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $303K across 10 grants.
What is Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $49,926, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation that year got $60K on average.
Where does Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation give grants?
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Norfolk, VA (3 grants), Onancock, VA (3 grants) and Cape Charles, VA (2 grants).
Does Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 6% of Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Hampton Roads Community Foundation ($511,750), Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore ($60,000) and Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society Inc ($45,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($10,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation?
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation reported $652K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What does Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to benefit Virginia’s Eastern Shore by enabling donors to meet their charitable goals through endowed funds, educating donors about effective philanthropy and grantmaking, and meeting emerging community needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through a concept proposal submitted before a full proposal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation's EIN?
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3651144. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2025.
Does Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(9)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS April 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2018–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/eastern-shore-of-virginia-community-foundation-morg_7770e15d7b03464c957ddbf89bbdead1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203651144_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/eastern-shore-of-virginia-community-foundation-morg_7770e15d7b03464c957ddbf89bbdead1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Eastern Shore of Virginia Community 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.
Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?