The Better Living Foundation
The Better Living Foundation is a private foundation based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Its 2024 filing reports grants to public charities, all of them in Virginia, and states that the foundation has no direct charitable activities.
The Better Living Foundation at a glance
In short: The Better Living Foundation gave $252K across 35 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Virginia. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $251,500
- +66.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 35
- +9.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,186
- +52.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $1,174,310
- +72.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (2 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Better Living Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a written application describing the request and the organization’s exempt status. The foundation’s filing lists Richard L. Nunley as the contact for applications.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard L Nunley
Mailing address: PO Box 7627, Charlottesville, VA 22906-7627
Phone: (434) 973-4333
Website: https://abetterlivingfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Better Living Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Red Cross ($60K). Together the top 10 received $159K.
Grant Size Distribution
174 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 173 grants of 174 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Better Living Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 35 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 91% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 88% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 439% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $127K (2020) to $252K (2024). In 2024 it made 35 grants totaling $252K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross Charlottesville, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $60,000 |
| Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Verona, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $30,000 |
| Salvation Army Charlottesville, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $15,000 |
| Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Inc Charlottesville, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $10,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charlottesville, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $10,000 |
| United Way Charlottesville, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $10,000 |
| Camp Holiday Trails Charlottesville, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $6,000 |
| Charlottesville Free Clinic Charlottesville, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $6,000 |
| Emergency Food Network Charlottesville, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $6,000 |
| Fluvanna Meals on Wheels Palmyra, VA | General Purpose of Donee | $6,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Better Living Foundation?
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 | $1,174,310 | $739,826 | $261,091 | $251,500 | 35 | $254,025 | $132,770 | $57,864 |
| 2023 | $679,294 | $7,602 | $157,970 | $151,000 | 32 | $151,200 | $832 | $41,987 |
| 2022 | $829,662 | $314,061 | $159,214 | $145,300 | 36 | $150,669 | $8,523 | $35,950 |
| 2021 | $674,815 | $394,047 | $142,131 | $133,500 | 37 | $135,625 | $87,769 | $29,994 |
| 2020 | $422,899 | $88,694 | $132,029 | $126,500 | 34 | — | $81,493 | $25,615 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Better Living Foundation reported a distributable amount of $58K 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
The foundation’s website describes its vision as “creating a lifestyle” and says it seeks to create opportunities for homeless mothers and veterans, provide training, and advocate for public policy changes. It also states that it supports Rotary International and the eradication of polio.
Grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Blue Ridge Area Food Bank says it distributes food through a network of providers, soup kitchens, and shelters in central and western Virginia. Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry says it provides nourishing food and opportunities for community engagement. The Charlottesville Free Clinic describes its work as providing medical, mental health, vision, and dental services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured people at no cost. Camp Holiday Trails says it creates a community where children and teens with medical needs can thrive.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 35 grants totaling $251,500. Grants ranged from $500 to $60,000, with a median of $5,000. Among the largest were $60,000 to the American Red Cross in Charlottesville and $30,000 to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Verona. Other grants included $15,000 to the Salvation Army and $10,000 each to Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Ronald McDonald House, and United Way, all in Charlottesville.
The 2024 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applications should be made in writing and include a description and the organization’s exempt status, along with the nature of the request. Grants are only made to public charities; the foundation does not make grants to individuals.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard L. Nunley as president and director; Julia G. Nunley as secretary, treasurer, and director; John G. Nunley as vice president and director; and Caroline N. Satira as director.
The Better Living Foundation is led by Richard L. Nunley, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Richard L. Nunley
President & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline N. Satira
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John G. Nunley
Vice President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia G. Nunley
Secretary, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Better Living Foundation
How much does The Better Living Foundation give each year?
The Better Living Foundation gave $252K across 35 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $151K across 32 grants.
What is The Better Living Foundation's typical grant size?
The Better Living Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $7,186, across 35 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Better Living Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does The Better Living Foundation give grants?
The Better Living Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charlottesville, VA (29 grants).
Does The Better Living Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Better Living Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (35 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Better Living Foundation's largest grantees?
The Better Living Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Red Cross ($60,000), Blue Ridge Area Food Bank ($30,000) and Salvation Army ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Better Living Foundation?
The Better Living Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $254K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $58K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Better Living Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes its vision as “creating a lifestyle” and says it seeks to create opportunities for homeless mothers and veterans, provide training, and advocate for public policy changes. It also states that it supports Rotary International and the eradication of polio. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Better Living Foundation?
Submit a written application describing the request and the organization’s exempt status. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Better Living Foundation's EIN?
The Better Living Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1324304. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Better Living Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
Charlottesville, VA
The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community organizations working on needs such as housing, food access, health, youth development, arts, environmental stewardship, and equity in Charlottesville and surrounding counties. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $20,100; the foundation describes application-based grant programs, but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$292.3M
Grants
437
Total Given
$27.9M
Perry Foundation Inc
Charlottesville, VA
The foundation supports public charities working to improve quality of life for economically disadvantaged people, across areas including education, health, economic opportunity, arts and culture, and sustainable development. Its 2025 grants went to Virginia organizations and ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median of $25,000. It accepts requests by letter describing the organization and proposed request, and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$32.1M
Grants
57
Total Given
$2.8M
The Genan Foundation
Charlottesville, VA
The Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation (formerly the Genan Foundation) funds economic mobility and well-being, including education, health, housing, and workforce development, as well as conservation and environmental initiatives. Its focus is Greater Charlottesville, Southwest Virginia, and Surry County; 2024 grants ranged from $1,200 to $500,000, with a median of $32,500. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$189.9M
Grants
104
Total Given
$8.5M
Caplin Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Caplin Foundation supports arts education, community development, nonprofit capacity, children’s services, and environmental protection. Its 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $25,000, with a median of $1,000, and were concentrated in Virginia, followed by California and Michigan. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.4M
Grants
212
Total Given
$403K
Sentara Health
Virginia Beach, VA
Sentara Health funds health services and equitable health initiatives, including access to care, medical education, scholarships, skilled careers, and community programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,500 to $45.45 million, with a median award of $22,000, and most funding went to Virginia, with some support elsewhere. Sentara Health Plans accepts applications for qualifying community partnerships in its service area; applications are due by the first of each month.
Assets
$7.2B
Grants
325
Total Given
$63.8M
Manning Family Foundation
Charlottesville, VA
The Manning Family Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in health and life sciences research—especially Type 1 diabetes and retinal diseases—or local health, education, youth development, and financial literacy in Charlottesville. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000, though awards ranged widely; local giving is focused on Charlottesville, while research grants can support organizations elsewhere. It accepts applications on a rolling basis through its online portal; first-time applicants and returning grantees absent for over two years must submit a letter of inquiry first.
Assets
$302.4M
Grants
65
Total Given
$13.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Virginia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Better Living Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-better-living-foundation-morg_9f0011fd991f46d1b490ea59b6e40d2c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_541324304_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Better Living Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-better-living-foundation-morg_9f0011fd991f46d1b490ea59b6e40d2c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 The Better Living 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.
The Better Living Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?