Potomac Health Foundation is a private foundation based in Woodbridge, Virginia, established in December 2009 following Potomac Hospital's merger with Sentara Healthcare. The foundation preserves a 40-year legacy of community health commitment originating from Potomac Hospital, which opened in 1972 as a grassroots community initiative with the motto "A Life Is Reason Enough." The foundation operates as a catalyst for improving health access for medically underserved populations in Northern Virginia.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$109.6M
+1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.9M
-1.8% YoY
Grant Count
55
-35.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$107K
+51.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Potomac Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to improve the health of the community by increasing access to primary health care for the medically underserved, with a focus on community-based, population health projects.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Access to health care
- Mental health and substance abuse
- Capacity building
- Family services and social services
- Community health systems
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$19,323–$257,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves:
- Eastern Prince William County, Virginia
- South Fairfax (Lorton), Virginia
- North Stafford County, Virginia
- District of Columbia
- Additional focus areas include Alexandria, Arlington, and Richmond
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $107.8–$109.6 million
- Annual Giving: $5.97–$6.0 million
- Total Revenue: $5.23 million
- Total Expenses: $7.77 million
- Giving Rate: 6.2%
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $109,573,060 | $107,812,905 | $104,353,678 |
| Revenue | $9,728,411 | $5,225,318 | $6,009,190 |
| Expenses | $10,101,437 | $7,771,406 | $6,391,863 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,419,441 | $6,575,677 | $7,144,678 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,910,739 | $5,025,776 | $6,024,161 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,215,195 | $5,158,634 | $5,462,978 |
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
1 open opportunity from Potomac Health Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Prince William County Community Services ($500,000), Northern Virginia Family Service ($252,843), Action in Community Through Service Inc ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACTION IN COMMUNITY THROUGH SERVICE INC DUMFRIES, VA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER WASHINGTON WASHINGTON, DC | PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR YOUTH AT HYLTON & HEISER BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | $146,762 |
| BRINGING RESOURCES TO AID WOMEN'S SHELTERS (BRAWS) VIENNA, VA | SUPPLY MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND UNDERGARMENTS TO RESIDENTS OF PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY ($16,200); SUPPLY MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND UNDERGARMENTS TO EASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY AND SOUTHERN FAIRFAX COUNTY ($41,580) | $57,780 |
| CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK WASHINGTON, DC | SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY FOOD IN PFH SERVICE AREA ($22,500); SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY FOOD, WITH A FOCUS ON WELLNESS ($52,500) | $75,000 |
| CAPITAL CARING HEALTH FALLS CHURCH, VA | COMMUNITY GRIEF AND COUNSELING PROGRAM ($11,370); COMMUNITY GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT ($30,937) | $42,307 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES ARLINGTON DIOCESE MOTHER OF MERCY FREE MEDICAL CLINIC MANASSAS, VA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| CFH INC MANASSAS, VA | CREATING FOUNDATIONS FOR HEALTHY LIVING THROUGH ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD | $35,000 |
| FOODS & FRIENDS INC WASHINGTON, DC | SPECIALIZED NUTRITION SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY ILL VIRGINIANS | $40,000 |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF SPONSORED PROGRAMS FAIRFAX, VA | OPERATING SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| GREATER DC DIAPER BANK WASHINGTON, DC | PROVIDING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES IN GREATER DC WITH ESSENTIALS TO THRIVE | $31,084 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Erin Thomas-Matthews – Executive Director (appointed July 2023)
Board Members:
- Marion M. Wall – Chair
- Carol S. Shapiro, MD, MBA – Vice-Chair
- R. Michael Sorensen – Treasurer
- Wayne Mallard – Secretary
- Carlos Castro – Director
- Paul Gaden – Director
- Sam Hill, EdD – Director
- Phyllis Morgan, PhD – Director
The foundation is led with an emphasis on community-driven solutions and shifting power dynamics from intention to impact. A new strategic plan is currently in development.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIN THOMAS-MATTHEWS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $141,601 |
| MARION M WALL | CHAIR | 4 | — |
| CAROL S SHAPIRO MD MBA | VICE-CHAIR | 4 | — |
| GAYLE WHITLOCK | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| WAYNE MALLARD | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| CARLOS CASTRO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAUL GADEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SAM HILL EDD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DEBRA LEE MD | DIRECTOR AS OF MARCH 2024 | 1 | — |
| PHYLLIS MORGAN PHD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM M MOSS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SARAH PITKIN PHD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILIAM C REHA MD MBA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| R MICHAEL SORENSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALICE TANG DO MBA | DIRECTOR TO JANUARY 2024 | 1 | — |
| CLARICE TORIAN MED | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grants have supported:
Expansion of mental health services in Prince William County
Potomac Health Foundation Grant to Expand Mental Health Services in PrinceOral healthcare and SNAP outreach initiatives
NVFS Expands Oral Healthcare and SNAP Outreach in Prince ...Grief support expansion in Prince William County
Capital Caring Health Expands Grief Support in Prince William ...Food rescue expansion programs
Community mental health services expansion
Potomac Health Foundation Grant to Expand Mental Health Services in PrinceThe foundation continues to emphasize responsive, community-informed grantmaking while developing its strategic direction under new leadership.
Contact Information
Address: 2296 Opitz Boulevard, Suite 200, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Phone: (703) 523-0620
Email: info@potomachealthfoundation.org
Website: potomachealthfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Potomac Health Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to improve the health of the community by increasing access to primary health care for the medically underserved, with a focus on community-based, population health projects. Primary funding focus areas include: • Access to health care • Mental health and substance abuse • Capacity building • Family services and social services • Community health systems
How do I apply for a grant from Potomac Health Foundation?
**Grant Programs:** **Howard L. Greenhouse Large Grant Program** (Signature Program) • Two-step RFP process with Letter of Intent • Grant range: $19,323–$257,000 • Currently offering one-year grants (traditionally three-year) • Decision timeline: 4–5 months from Letter of Intent to award **Health Safety Net (HSN) Program** • Invitation only • Supports eight agencies providing primary, dental, medication, mental health, and other services **Recent Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: approximately…
Where does Potomac Health Foundation make grants?
The foundation serves: • Eastern Prince William County, Virginia • South Fairfax (Lorton), Virginia • North Stafford County, Virginia • District of Columbia • Additional focus areas include Alexandria, Arlington, and Richmond
What size grants does Potomac Health Foundation award?
In 2024, Potomac Health Foundation awarded 55 grants totaling $5.9M — an average of about $107K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Potomac Health Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Potomac Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Potomac Health Foundation's EIN?
Potomac Health Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1340920. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Potomac Health Foundation'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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