The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation
The Marie A Dornhecker Foundation is a private foundation based in Chesapeake, Virginia. It supports educational scholarships and programs intended to encourage interest in French language and culture and their impact in Virginia.
The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation at a glance
In short: The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation gave $43K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $43,200
- -2.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,600
- -10.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Total assets
- $763,790
- -2.0% vs 2023
- 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.
How to apply to The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2024 filing stated that applicants had to mail a completed application, scholarly essay, and college or high school official transcript to the foundation. Awards were restricted to students enrolled in a college or university who were residents of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, defined as cities and counties within a 75-mile radius of the foundation’s principal address.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing listed August 13, 2024, and December 14, 2024. Both dates are past.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing listed August 13, 2024, and December 14, 2024.
- Contact
Application contact: The Marie A Dornhecker Foundation
Mailing address: 308 Cedar Lakes Dr, 2Nd Floor, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone: (757) 547-9191
Website: https://www.dornheckerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Virginia Musical Theater ($5K). Together the top 5 received $19K.
Organizations only. It also paid 7 individual scholarships ($24,200), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 49 grants of 49 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Virginia. The 2024 filing restricted scholarship awards to eligible students residing in the Hampton Roads area, within a 75-mile radius of the foundation’s principal address.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−15%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 138% 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $43K (2024) to $62K (2022). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $43K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 7 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $24,200 |
| Virginia Musical Theater Virginia Beach, VA | Donation | $5,000 |
| Urban Discovery Ministries Norfolk, VA | Donation | $3,500 |
| Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia Norfolk, VA | Donation | $3,500 |
| Chesapeake Humane Society Chesapeake, VA | Donation | $3,500 |
| Elijah House Academy Richmond, VA | Donation | $3,500 |
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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 | $763,790 | $55,000 | $70,769 | $43,200 | 12 | $59,321 | $43,552 | $42,996 |
| 2023 | $779,559 | $48,229 | $97,497 | $44,200 | 11 | $70,170 | $20,903 | $41,771 |
| 2022 | $828,827 | $45,942 | $89,060 | $62,100 | 10 | $73,545 | $30,427 | $46,104 |
| 2021 | $871,945 | $109,903 | $73,860 | $51,100 | 10 | $61,061 | $97,104 | $49,821 |
| 2020 | $835,902 | $38,466 | $66,759 | $51,500 | 6 | — | $23,207 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $43K 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 stated goal is to provide educational scholarships and programs that foster interest in French language and culture and their impact on the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its website describes scholarships promoting the study of French language and culture in Virginia.
Its 2024 grants also included donations to organizations whose missions address animal welfare, urban community work, hunger relief, and education. For example, Chesapeake Humane Society describes its mission as building connections for pets and people and cultivating a humane community. Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia says its mission is to lead efforts to eliminate hunger in its community. Elijah House Academy describes its mission as providing a Christ-centered education for children in Richmond.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $43,200. Grant amounts ranged from $1,200 to $6,500, with a median of $3,500. The grants included scholarships to individual recipients and donations to organizations. Notable organizational grants were $5,000 to Virginia Musical Theater and $3,500 each to Urban Discovery Ministries, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Chesapeake Humane Society, and Elijah House Academy.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Stephen J Telfeyan as vice president and treasurer, Robert R Kinser as president, and Susan V Rowling as director.
The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation is led by Robert R. Kinser, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert R. Kinser
President
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$12K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Susan V. Rowling
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$11K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Stephen J. Telfeyan
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$12K (2023) → $0 (2024)
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 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $12K, to Stephen J Telfeyan (VP & Treasur). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation
How much does The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation give each year?
The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation gave $43K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $44K across 11 grants.
What is The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation's typical grant size?
The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,500, and its average grant was $3,600, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation give grants?
The Marie a Dornhecker 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 Norfolk, VA (2 grants).
Does The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (5 grants) and "Scholarship" (5 grants).
Who are The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation's largest grantees?
The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Virginia Musical Theater ($5,000), Urban Discovery Ministries ($3,500) and Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia ($3,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 7 individual scholarships ($24,200), which are not listed by name. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation?
The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation reported $764K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $59K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $43K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated goal is to provide educational scholarships and programs that foster interest in French language and culture and their impact on the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its website describes scholarships promoting the study of French language and culture in Virginia. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation?
The foundation’s 2024 filing stated that applicants had to mail a completed application, scholarly essay, and college or high school official transcript to the foundation. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation's EIN?
The Marie a Dornhecker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1945504. 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
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