Historic Alexandria Foundation
Through advocacy, grants, awards, and recognition programs we encourage public participation and appreciation of our cultural heritage. Since its founding in 1954, haf has raised millions of dollars for surveys of historic architecture, protection of endangered buildings, restoration of museum properties, and conservation of important historical artifacts. We invite all to join us in safeguarding - and celebrating - alexandria's rich cultural and architectural history.
Key facts about Historic Alexandria Foundation
In short: Historic Alexandria Foundation gave $28K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 54-6052540
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $27,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- Average grant
- $6,875
- Median grant
- $6,250
- Total assets
- $2,781,925
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Next open deadline
- May 1, 2027 (Historic Alexandria Preservation Fund Grant)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$2.8M
+9.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$28K
-26.2% YoY
Grant Count
4
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-7.8% YoY
How Historic Alexandria Foundation gives
- Giving fell 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About Historic Alexandria Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Historic Alexandria Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts and culture, based in Alexandria, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $28K. Net investment income was $128K.
Focus Areas
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Historic Alexandria Foundation
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2021) to $130K (2023). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $28K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Tall Ship Providence ($10K). Together the top 4 received $28K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 23 (96%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tall Ship Providence Alexandria, VA | Operating Support. | $10,000 |
| City of Alexandria Alexandria, VA | Historic Preservation Efforts. | $7,500 |
| Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Alexandria, VA | Operating Support. | $5,000 |
| Lee-Fendall House Alexandria, VA | Operating Support | $5,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,781,925 | $2,535,748 | $2,309,485 |
| Revenue | $336,611 | $203,796 | $169,227 |
| Expenses | $214,365 | $199,372 | $240,611 |
| Net Investment Income | $127,596 | $68,218 | $99,769 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 16, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 5, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 16, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Historic Alexandria Foundation is led by Mary Sparks Sterling, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 1 of 14 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Sparks Sterling
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
30 hrs/week
$39K (2024) → $49K (2025)
Robert Weinhagen
President
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2023
25 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gail C. Rothrock
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Thorpe Richards
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leland S. Ness
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Smith Ariail
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruth B. Apelt
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sherry Hulfish Browne
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Butora
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John S. Moran
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Latane Montague
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Ann Carson MD
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Heiden
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Burchette
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: John H Sprinkle Jr. (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Maureen C. Cooney (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Morgan D Delaney (2019–2024) — President
- Former: Brian Branton (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: R. Latane Montague (2024) — Trustee
- Former: John H Guy IV (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Mason Montague Bavin (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Bob Weinhagen (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Charles D Ablard (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Elaine Johnston (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: John Edward Dumsick (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Mary Kay Ryan (2019) — Corresponding Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $49K, to Mary Sparks Sterling (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Historic Alexandria Foundation
How much does Historic Alexandria Foundation give each year?
Historic Alexandria Foundation gave $28K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $37K across 5 grants.
What is Historic Alexandria Foundation's typical grant size?
Historic Alexandria Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $6,250, and its average grant was $6,875, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Historic Alexandria Foundation give grants?
Historic Alexandria Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Alexandria, VA (4 grants).
Does Historic Alexandria Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of Historic Alexandria Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
How large is Historic Alexandria Foundation?
Historic Alexandria Foundation reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $337K.
What is Historic Alexandria Foundation?
Historic Alexandria Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts and culture, based in Alexandria, VA. It holds $2.8M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Historic Alexandria Foundation's EIN?
Historic Alexandria Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-6052540. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching Historic Alexandria Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Historic Alexandria Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Historic Alexandria Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?