The Blocker Foundation
The Blocker Foundation is an independent private foundation established in 1982 and located in Suffolk, Virginia. The organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity dedicated to supporting the Hampton Roads community through strategic grantmaking that addresses fundamental community needs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$107.6M
-2.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.6M
+3.9% YoY
Grant Count
69
+16.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$67K
-11.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to inspire, empower and support the Hampton Roads community to provide all in the community with wholesome nourishment, safe shelter, educational opportunity, economic opportunity, and a healthy environment in which all may thrive.
The foundation focuses on six primary areas:
- Wholesome nourishment
- Safe shelter
- Educational opportunity
- Economic opportunity
- Healthy environment
- Community systems and root cause solutions
Grantmaking
The Blocker Foundation considers the following types of grant requests:
Review Cycle
dates are available on the foundation's Apply Page.
Grant Types
How to Apply
As of 2026, the foundation requires Letters of Intent for organizations wishing to apply for funding beginning with the September 2026 cycle. Grant deadline dates are available on the foundation's Apply Page.
Ready to take the next step with The Blocker Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Blocker Foundation serves the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Service Area, which includes various cities and counties in Virginia and North Carolina. Eligible organizations must serve this geographic region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $109,737,664
- Total Revenue: $1,496,696
- Total Expenses: $5,420,700
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $4,431,261
- Number of Grants Made: 47 grants (12 grants documented in detail, with 44 additional grants totaling $3,392,617)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $107,593,427 | $109,737,664 | $113,609,634 |
| Revenue | $3,509,061 | $1,496,696 | $15,320,499 |
| Expenses | $5,644,528 | $5,420,700 | $3,188,184 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,266,018 | $5,067,691 | $2,387,882 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,248,155 | $1,885,030 | $2,343,459 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,789,535 | $5,205,329 | $4,950,036 |
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
161 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Blocker Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sarah Taylor: Grants Manager
- Patricia Bennett: Account Assistant
- Whitney Saunders: Staff member (title not specified)
The foundation operates with 3 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN E BISSETT | TREASURER | 1 | $12,500 |
| WILLIAM H GEORGE | SECRETARY | 1 | $12,500 |
| FREDRICK V MARTIN | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | $12,500 |
| WHITNEY G SAUNDERS | PRESIDENT | 1 | $269,300 |
| REGINALD CORINALDI | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $12,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Virginia Living Museum received a grant of $99,947 from The Blocker Foundation in 2025. The foundation continues to support organizations addressing vital issues in the Hampton Roads region, with recent funding supporting early childhood education expansion through Peake Childhood Center's partnership with the City of Newport News and Virginia Peninsula Community College.
Thomas J. Blocker Society Foundation Launches Summer Healthcare ExposureContact Information
- Website: www.theblockerfoundation.com
- Phone: 757-942-2005
- Address: 705 W Washington St Ste 2, Suffolk, VA 23434-6102
- EIN: 54-1217447
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Blocker Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities