The Rapha Foundation
The Rapha Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation based in Wise, Virginia, dedicated to improving population health and access to education across Southwest Virginia. The organization was established in 2019 when the Board of Directors of Community Healthcare Foundation, Inc. approved the sale of its 49.9% minority interest in Norton Community Hospital to Ballad Health System, with proceeds from the sale forming the foundation's endowment.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$47.9M
+2.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+25.1% YoY
Grant Count
59
+28.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
-2.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Rapha Foundation's mission is to improve population health and access to education across Southwest Virginia. The foundation focuses on:
- Population health initiatives
- Educational access and pathways
- Health literacy
- Healthcare access
- Addressing root causes of health and education inequality
Primary funding areas include health care, education, human services, philanthropy, and volunteerism, with a geographic emphasis on Virginia and Tennessee.
Grantmaking
The foundation requires applicants to complete a formal grant application and review The Rapha Foundation Grant Guidelines prior to submission. Applications are reviewed by the Executive Director to determine if they qualify for consideration. Applicants meeting the foundation's criteria may be asked to submit additional information, which may include project budgets, financial statements, board member lists, audits, or IRS Form 990s.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds initiatives in Southwest Virginia, with particular emphasis on Wise County and the City of Norton. Secondary focus areas include Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending May 2024:
- Total Assets: $46,565,427
- Total Revenue: $1,054,569
- Total Expenses: $1,524,233
- Net Income: -$469,664
- Total Liabilities: $2,060,000
- Total Giving: $1,458,681
The foundation maintains a single employee on staff.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $47,900,331 | $46,565,427 | $42,247,899 |
| Revenue | $2,071,869 | $1,054,569 | $897,588 |
| Expenses | $2,257,411 | $1,524,233 | $2,020,369 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,903,056 | $1,537,360 | $1,547,655 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,835,203 | $899,960 | $789,468 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,277,297 | $1,894,011 | $1,562,161 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
165 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Mark S. Vanover – Executive Director (appointed December 2, 2019). Vanover brings 30 years of executive experience, including service as Assistant Vice President for Dickenson Community Hospital since 2010 and Dickenson County Administrator from 2008 to 2010.
Charles "Jibber" Ward – Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ward is the former chair of Norton Community Hospital.
The foundation is governed by a nine-member volunteer board.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES WARD | CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| VALERIE LAWSON | VICE CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| ERNIE WARD | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| DR MATTHEW CUSANO MD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| FRED RAMEY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LARRY BARTON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARK VANOVER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $124,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In February 2021, the foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. for cancer education programming. The grant was structured as a two-year commitment, with $25,000 delivered in the first year and the remainder awarded in 2022. The funding supported the expansion of the Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center's educational component in Wise County and the City of Norton, addressing the region's elevated cancer mortality rates.
Rapha Clinic of West Georgia Receives Grant from Georgia Health FoundationRelated Funders
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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