The Cameron Foundation
The Cameron Foundation is a private foundation based in Petersburg, Virginia. Founded in 2003 following the sale of Southside Regional Medical Center, it manages proceeds from the hospital’s sale and supports community impact in the Tri-Cities and surrounding counties.
The Cameron Foundation at a glance
In short: The Cameron Foundation gave $5.0M across 157 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in Virginia. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,985,052
- +43.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 157
- +61.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $31,752
- -11.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,000
- Total assets
- $167,601,937
- +4.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (25 of 99, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (99% 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 Cameron Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The general grant process begins with an online Letter of Intent. Organizations invited to proceed may submit a full proposal through the online application system; hard-copy applications are not accepted. The LOI requests organizational information, a preliminary project budget, leadership details and information about the proposed project and its community need. The Foundation’s guidelines require applicants to review eligibility and funding criteria. Its FAQ says it does not consider unsolicited requests from organizations without 501(c)(3) status. The Foundation generally focuses on 501(c)(3) nonprofits and is open to supporting a limited set of public-entity activities. At least 51% of the people served by a proposed project must live in the Foundation’s service area. Grant funds cannot be used for event sponsorship, and only one General Grant may be approved per organization per year.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists January 7, 2027, as the next Letter of Intent deadline.
- Deadline
- The website lists January 7, 2027, as the next Letter of Intent deadline.
- Next open deadline
- January 7, 2027 (Cameron Foundation Grant Program)
- Contact
Application contact: Nadine Marsh-Carter
Mailing address: 228 South Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23803
Phone: (804) 732-7900
Website: https://www.camfound.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Cameron Foundation
Who The Cameron Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Sussex County ($500K). Together the top 10 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
631 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 515 grants of 631 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s service area includes Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell; Dinwiddie, Prince George and Sussex counties; and the portion of Chesterfield County south of Route 10, with boundaries further defined by the Foundation.
In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia and 1% to recipients in Pennsylvania. The filing also lists shares rounded to 0% for Connecticut, Georgia and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 157 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Cameron Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 25 of 99 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $54K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $28K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 89% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $3.5M (2023) to $5.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 157 grants totaling $5.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sussex County Sussex, VA | Community & Economic DEVELOPMNT:CAPITAL | $500,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Richmond Richmond, VA | HEALTH:CAPITAL | $385,000 |
| Project Homes Richmond, VA | Human SERVICES:PROGRAM Support | $281,500 |
| James Madison University Col of Education Harrisonburg, VA | EDUCATION:PROGRAM Support | $276,885 |
| Sussex County Youth and Adult Rec Waverly, VA | Community & Economic DEVELOPMNT:PROGRAM Support | $229,857 |
| Central Virginia Health Services New Canton, VA | HEALTH:PROGRAM Support | $198,000 |
| Better Housing Coalition Richmond, VA | Human SERVICES:CAPITAL | $150,000 |
| Community Coalition of Sussex Virginia Jarratt, VA | Community & Economic DEVELOPMNT:PROGRAM Support | $100,000 |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation Richmond, VA | Community & Economic DEVELOPMNT:PROGRAM Support | $100,000 |
| Virginia's Gateway Region Colonial Heights, VA | Community & Economic DEVELOPMNT:OPERATING Support | $99,190 |
Ready to take the next step with The Cameron 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 | $167,601,937 | $8,967,292 | $7,973,360 | $4,985,052 | 157 | $7,321,556 | $8,737,372 | $8,195,907 |
| 2023 | $159,832,127 | $10,647,516 | $6,551,668 | $3,484,560 | 97 | $5,832,121 | $10,170,180 | $7,052,521 |
| 2022 | $143,968,786 | $9,047,455 | $6,871,284 | $3,732,028 | 112 | $6,032,902 | $8,699,069 | $6,969,575 |
| 2021 | $170,387,931 | $14,350,568 | $7,106,036 | $4,340,767 | 123 | $6,433,989 | $14,680,263 | $7,608,082 |
| 2020 | $153,931,918 | $9,585,322 | $6,667,689 | $3,821,009 | 142 | — | $9,244,704 | $6,437,502 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Cameron Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to transform the Tri-Cities and surrounding counties into a healthy, vibrant and economically vital region by strategically leveraging resources for community impact. Its six outcome areas are healthy residents, education excellence, cultural richness, a vital economy, vibrant communities and dynamic nonprofits.
Its funding interests include health care, including programs that improve access to health services for poor, uninsured, under-insured and underserved people, as well as health care capital improvements and technology advancements. The 2024 grants also show support for education, human services, community and economic development, and health.
Among 2024 grantees, Central Virginia Health Services described itself as a nonprofit providing outpatient health and medical care. Better Housing Coalition said it develops affordable housing communities in the Richmond metropolitan area. Community Coalition of Sussex described work to improve local living conditions and well-being through advocacy, partnerships, education, training and resources. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 157 grants totaling $4,985,052. Awards ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median grant of $8,000.
The largest reported awards included $500,000 to Sussex County for community and economic development capital; $385,000 to YMCA of Greater Richmond for health capital; $281,500 to Project Homes for human services program support; $276,885 to James Madison University College of Education for education program support; and $229,857 to Sussex County Youth and Adult Recreation for community and economic development program support. Other awards included $198,000 to Central Virginia Health Services for health program support and $150,000 to Better Housing Coalition for human services capital.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nadine Marsh-Carter as president; Vandy V. Jones III as chair; Jeffrey W. Geisz as vice chair; Chequila H. Fields as secretary; and Mark H. Stevens as treasurer. It also lists J. Tolleison Morriss VI, Alice S. Martin, T. Robertson Blount Jr., Dr. Alton Hart and Brenda Mitchell as directors.
The Cameron Foundation is led by Nadine Marsh-Carter, President & Current on every filing since 2022; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nadine Marsh-Carter
President & Current
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$302K (2023) → $300K (2024)
Vandy V. Jones III
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alice S. Martin
Director
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alton Hart
Director
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Tolleison Morriss Vi
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
T. Robertson Blount Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brenda Mitchell
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chequila H. Fields
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey W. Geisz
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark H. Stevens
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: J. Todd Graham (2020–2023) — President & Past
- Former: Pamela M. Comstock (2020–2023) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $300K, to Nadine Marsh-Carter (President, Current).
Frequently asked questions about The Cameron Foundation
How much does The Cameron Foundation give each year?
The Cameron Foundation gave $5.0M across 157 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.5M across 97 grants.
What is The Cameron Foundation's typical grant size?
The Cameron Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $8,000, and its average grant was $31,752, across 157 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Cameron Foundation that year got $54K on average.
Where does The Cameron Foundation give grants?
The Cameron Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Richmond, VA (49 grants), Petersburg, VA (31 grants), Colonial Heights, VA (12 grants) and Hopewell, VA (11 grants).
Does The Cameron Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 56% of The Cameron Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (88 of 157) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "EDUCATION:PROGRAM Support" (25 grants), "HEALTH:PROGRAM Support" (16 grants) and "Human SERVICES:PROGRAM Support" (10 grants).
Who are The Cameron Foundation's largest grantees?
The Cameron Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Sussex County ($500,000), YMCA of Greater Richmond ($415,573 across 4 grants) and Project Homes ($281,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Cameron Foundation?
The Cameron Foundation reported $167.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Cameron Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to transform the Tri-Cities and surrounding counties into a healthy, vibrant and economically vital region by strategically leveraging resources for community impact. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Cameron Foundation?
The general grant process begins with an online Letter of Intent. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Cameron Foundation's EIN?
The Cameron Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0097152. 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 October 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Cameron Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-cameron-foundation-morg_9a83bc3e738a44188565feccc75dba7d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_200097152_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Cameron Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-cameron-foundation-morg_9a83bc3e738a44188565feccc75dba7d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Cameron 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.
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