The Batten Foundation
The Batten Foundation is a private foundation based in Norfolk, Virginia. Its 2024 grants supported organizations in Virginia and New York, including William & Mary, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, Rare, Sentara Foundation, and Urban League of Hampton Roads.
The Batten Foundation at a glance
In short: The Batten Foundation gave $11.0M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $1.8M), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,960,000
- -7.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- -14.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,826,667
- +7.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000,000
- Total assets
- $24,705,419
- -23.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Virginia (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Batten Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 3310, Norfolk, VA 23514
Phone: (757) 625-7670
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Batten Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was William & Mary ($6.3M). Together the top 6 received $11.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 19 grants of 32 (59%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia and 9% to recipients in New York. Grants went to organizations in Williamsburg, Arlington, Norfolk, and New York City.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Batten Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+8%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 693% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $10.1M (2021) to $11.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $11.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| William & Mary Williamsburg, VA | For General Charitable Purposes. | $6,250,000 |
| Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Williamsburg, VA | For General Charitable Purposes. | $2,500,000 |
| Environmental Defense Fund New York, NY | For General Charitable Purposes. | $1,000,000 |
| Rare Arlington, VA | For General Charitable Purposes. | $1,000,000 |
| Sentara Foundation Norfolk, VA | For General Charitable Purposes. | $200,000 |
| Urban League of Hampton Roads Norfolk, VA | For General Charitable Purposes. | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24,705,419 | $4,672,670 | $11,925,320 | $10,960,000 | 6 | $10,960,000 | $3,253,653 | $1,581,880 |
| 2023 | $32,209,335 | $8,127,803 | $13,025,422 | $11,848,318 | 7 | $11,848,318 | $6,349,240 | $1,943,089 |
| 2022 | $34,340,457 | $1,819,537 | $11,914,990 | $10,466,667 | 8 | $10,466,667 | $1,098,654 | $2,405,916 |
| 2021 | $46,076,230 | $15,138,185 | $11,323,160 | $10,111,667 | 11 | $10,111,667 | $8,211,790 | $3,067,181 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Batten Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for educational and cultural institutions, environmental organizations, and a regional urban league. Environmental Defense Fund describes its mission as preserving the natural systems on which life depends by finding practical, lasting solutions to serious environmental problems. Urban League of Hampton Roads says it works to advance economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights through education, employment, health, and housing services and programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported six grants totaling $10,960,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $6,250,000, with a median grant of $1,000,000. The largest grants were $6,250,000 to William & Mary and $2,500,000 to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, both for general charitable purposes. Other grants included $1,000,000 each to Environmental Defense Fund and Rare, $200,000 to Sentara Foundation, and $10,000 to Urban League of Hampton Roads.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jane Batten as president and Louis Ryan as assistant secretary.
The Batten Foundation is led by Jane Batten, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jane Batten
President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louis Ryan
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 The Batten Foundation
How much does The Batten Foundation give each year?
The Batten Foundation gave $11.0M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $11.8M across 7 grants.
What is The Batten Foundation's typical grant size?
The Batten Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000,000, and its average grant was $1,826,667, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Batten Foundation give grants?
The Batten Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Williamsburg, VA (2 grants) and Norfolk, VA (2 grants).
Does The Batten Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Batten Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Batten Foundation's largest grantees?
The Batten Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include William & Mary ($6,250,000), Colonial Williamsburg Foundation ($2,500,000) and Environmental Defense Fund ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Batten Foundation?
The Batten Foundation reported $24.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $11.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Batten Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for educational and cultural institutions, environmental organizations, and a regional urban league. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Batten Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and 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 The Batten Foundation's EIN?
The Batten Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1451569. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Does The Batten Foundation 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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