The Volgenau Foundation
The Volgenau Foundation is a private foundation based in McLean, Virginia. It supports conservation, education for under-resourced communities, and classical music through grantmaking and collaboration.
The Volgenau Foundation at a glance
In short: The Volgenau Foundation gave $13.4M across 60 grants in 2024 (avg $224K), top state Virginia. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,446,628
- +17.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 60
- +17.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $224,110
- -0.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $112,500
- Total assets
- $166,183,467
- +7.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (12 of 55, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (35% 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 Volgenau Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 8300 Greensboro Drive 950, Mclean, VA 22102
Phone: (703) 988-7973
Website: https://volgenaufoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Volgenau Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Volgenau Climate Initiative ($4.1M). Together the top 10 received $7.7M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($75,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
283 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 93 grants of 283 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in McLean, Virginia. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia (35%), the District of Columbia (14%), California (12%), Montana (12%), and New York (6%). Listed recipients also include organizations in West Virginia and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 60 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Volgenau Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 55 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $497K; repeat grants $174K. How we count
Medians: $125K first-time, $100K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 35% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 286% 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 $10.0M (2021) to $14.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 60 grants totaling $13.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Volgenau Climate Initiative McLean, VA | 2 Payments Toward 2023 3-Year Pledge | $4,146,628 |
| Plastic Solutions Fund a Sponsored Project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advi New York, NY | Plastic Solutions Fund | $500,000 |
| Center for Large Landscape Conservation Bozeman, MT | Catalyzing Landscape Conservation and Connectivity in the U.S. | $400,000 |
| Greater Yellowstone Coalition Bozeman, MT | Protecting the engine of the ecosystem: greater yellowstone wildlife migrations | $400,000 |
| National Parks Conservation Association Washington, DC | Protecting National Park Wildlife | $400,000 |
| Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative Bozeman, MT | General operating support - connecting and protecting wildlife habitat | $400,000 |
| Naturebridge- West Coast Sausalito, CA | Naturebridge Access, Growth and Leadership | $350,000 |
| Appalachian Trail Conservancy Harpers Ferry, WV | Preserving a.t. Landscape connectivity through collaborative conservation and resource stewardship | $300,000 |
| Indigenous Led a Project of Wild Foundation Boulder, CO | Rising to the challenge of our collective planetary crises: the case for indigenous-led conservation | $300,000 |
| Land Trust Alliancecbfn Washington, DC | To Advance Nature-Based Climate Solutions Through Land Conservation | $300,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Volgenau 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 | $166,183,467 | $27,166,487 | $15,502,864 | $13,446,628 | 60 | $14,551,327 | $5,722,890 | $5,084,569 |
| 2023 | $154,624,111 | $40,626,183 | $14,205,015 | $11,438,686 | 51 | $12,531,360 | $3,351,700 | $4,486,801 |
| 2022 | $128,354,104 | $24,507,878 | $11,571,135 | $10,073,880 | 54 | $11,128,283 | $3,238,038 | $3,984,858 |
| 2021 | $115,273,344 | $26,601,892 | $11,748,168 | $9,974,180 | 52 | $10,720,317 | $908,958 | $3,577,903 |
| 2020 | $100,328,358 | $62,996,362 | $13,732,240 | $14,685,000 | 66 | — | — | $2,097,111 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Volgenau Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.1M 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 protect and restore the natural environment, support education of under-resourced communities, and strengthen appreciation of classical music. Its stated priorities are marine, freshwater, and land conservation; wildlife protection, coexistence, and connectivity; education; and classical music.
Its conservation strategies include policy change, on-the-ground program support, education for sustainability, scientific research, land protection, and Indigenous partnerships. For wildlife, it identifies wildlife passage, reducing human-wildlife conflict, public education, and species-specific conservation. Its education work includes conservation-focused and STEM education, leadership development, and outdoor experiential learning. For classical music, it supports education and instrument access, composition, and opportunities connecting music with nature.
The 2024 grants included organizations working on landscape connectivity, wildlife and habitat protection, national parks, youth engagement with nature, and environmental law. For example, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation describes its mission as bringing science, policy, and proven solutions to communities restoring landscape integrity and natural connectivity. NatureBridge says it connects young people to the wonder and science of the natural world to inspire stewardship. Earthjustice describes its work as using law and partnership to protect health, places, and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 60 grants totaling $13,446,628. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $4,146,628, with a median of $112,500.
Among the largest awards were $4,146,628 to the Volgenau Climate Initiative for two payments toward a 2023 three-year pledge; $500,000 to the Plastic Solutions Fund; and $400,000 each to the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, and Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. Other notable grants included $350,000 to NatureBridge, $300,000 to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and $250,000 each to the Alaska Wilderness League and Defenders of Wildlife.
The foundation’s filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ernst Volgenau as president; Lisa Volgenau and Lauren Volgenau-Knapp as directors and vice presidents for environment; Jennifer Volgenau Wiley as director and vice president for administration; Chris Decardy as a board member; Jonathan Kaledin as a board member and executive vice president; and Andrea Pearl as executive director.
The Volgenau Foundation is led by Andrea Pearl, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 6 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andrea Pearl
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$161K (2020) → $209K (2024)
Ernst Volgenau
President
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Volgenau Wiley
Director, Vice President & Administration
Treasurer, Director & Vice President Administrator → Director, Vice President & Administrator, 2023
Director, Vice President & Administrator → Director, Vice President & Administration, 2024
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$53K (2020) → $73K (2024)
Lauren Volgenau-Knapp
Director, Vice President & Environment
Director, Vice President & Environme → Director, Vice President & Environment, 2024
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$55K (2020) → $73K (2024)
Lisa Volgenau
Director, Vice President & Environment
Secretary, Director & Vice President Env. → Director, Vice President & Environme, 2023
Director, Vice President & Environme → Director, Vice President & Environment, 2024
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$48K (2020) → $73K (2024)
Chris Decardy
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$15K (2022) → $16K (2024)
Jonathan Kaledin
Board Member & Executive Vice President
Board Member → Board Member & Executive Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$83K (2022) → $178K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Sara L. Volgenau (2020–2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
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 $209K, to Andrea Pearl (Executive Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Volgenau Foundation
How much does The Volgenau Foundation give each year?
The Volgenau Foundation gave $13.4M across 60 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $11.4M across 51 grants.
What is The Volgenau Foundation's typical grant size?
The Volgenau Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $112,500, and its average grant was $224,110, across 60 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Volgenau Foundation that year got $497K on average.
Where does The Volgenau Foundation give grants?
The Volgenau Foundation's top state is Virginia, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (14%) and California (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (11 grants), Bozeman, MT (6 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Silver Spring, MD (3 grants).
Does The Volgenau Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of The Volgenau Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 60) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Volgenau Foundation's largest grantees?
The Volgenau Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Volgenau Climate Initiative ($4,146,628), Plastic Solutions Fund a Sponsored Project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advi ($500,000) and Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative ($450,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($75,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Volgenau Foundation?
The Volgenau Foundation reported $166.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $14.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Volgenau Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to protect and restore the natural environment, support education of under-resourced communities, and strengthen appreciation of classical music. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Volgenau Foundation?
The Volgenau Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check volgenaufoundation.org for any change to that policy.
What is The Volgenau Foundation's EIN?
The Volgenau Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1738281. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Volgenau Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Volgenau Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-volgenau-foundation-morg_070769eae84e43fabffba3fc725edcd8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_541738281_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Volgenau Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-volgenau-foundation-morg_070769eae84e43fabffba3fc725edcd8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Volgenau 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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