The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc logo

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Norge, VA EIN: 54-1853027 Website

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV) is a public charity based in Norge, Virginia, formed in 1997. It works to conserve land and provide public access to outdoor recreation, with programs and partnerships involving wildlife conservation, hunting, fishing, and outdoor education.

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc at a glance

In short: The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc gave $173K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2024)
$173,135
+18.7% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
13
+8.3% vs 2023
Average grant
$13,318
+9.6% vs 2023
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$8,850,852
+8.6% vs 2023
Primary geography
Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.

How to apply to The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc

How to Apply

The Virginia Wildlife Grant Program is listed as currently open and serves nonprofit and educational organizations. The available program information identifies eligible activities and funding sources but does not specify application steps or required materials.

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 62, Norge, VA 23127
Phone: (757) 566-4000
Website: https://vawildlife.org

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Ferrum College: $23KFerrum College$23KValor Ranch: $20KValor Ranch$20KBack Bay National Wildlife Refuge: $19KBack Bay National WildlifeRefuge$19KThe Rector and Visitors of UVA: $18KThe Rector and Visitors of UVA$18KBoy Scouts of Va Tidewater Council: $17KBoy Scouts of Va TidewaterCouncil$17KHenrico County Parks and Rec: $12KHenrico County Parks and Rec$12KBackwoods Warriors Foundation: $10KBackwoods Warriors Foundation$10KBat Conservation and Rescue of VA: $10KBat Conservation and Rescue ofVA$10KBeyond Boundaries: $10KBeyond Boundaries$10KJames River Women: $10KJames River Women$10K

The largest 2024 recipient was Ferrum College ($23K). Together the top 10 received $148K.

Grant Size Distribution

55 grants across all recorded years

51<$50K$50–100K$100–250K2$250–500K$500K–1M2$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 51 grants of 55 (93%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The Virginia Wildlife Grant Program’s stated geographic scope is Virginia, and all reported 2024 grant dollars went to Virginia recipients. WFV also reports working with state agencies and private landowners on public-access initiatives in Virginia counties.

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.

Cities

RichmondBlacksburgBismarckCharlottesvilleFairfaxManquinRoanokeVirginia BeachWashingtonWoodstockBraceyCrozetEdinburgFerrumFlint HillFranklinGoochlandHampdensydneyHardyHarrisonburg

How The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc gives

  • 0% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving fell 64% from 2021 to 2024. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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

$0$2M$4M$6M3 grants2020 5 grants2021 22 grants2022 12 grants2023 13 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $146K (2023) to $4.5M (2020). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $173K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Ferrum College Ferrum, VAEducation Events$23,090
Valor Ranch King George, VAEducation Events$19,570
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Virginia Beach, VAEducation Events$18,573
The Rector and Visitors of UVA Charlottesville, VAEducation Events$18,100
Boy Scouts of Va Tidewater Council Virginia Beach, VAEducation Events$16,892
Henrico County Parks and Rec Henrico, VAEducation Events$11,660
Backwoods Warriors Foundation Moseley, VAEducation Events$10,000
Bat Conservation and Rescue of VA Mount Solon, VAEducation Events$10,000
Beyond Boundaries Richmond, VAEducation Events$10,000
James River Women Richmond, VAEducation Events$10,000
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2024$8,850,852$1,535,612$842,165$173,13513$244,933
2023$8,149,026$3,749,637$834,738$145,88412$102,316
2022$5,204,581$1,465,485$890,393$219,04022$3,468
2021$4,752,339$971,131$1,083,109$474,4055$1,865
2020$4,972,343$489,582$4,966,196$4,509,5003$1,386

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

WFV states that it is dedicated to conserving land, providing public access and outdoor recreation, and strengthening Virginians’ commitment to the future of outdoor recreation. Its stated program work includes joint land acquisition, wildlife conservation, public-access land management, hunting and fishing education, and sponsored outdoor activities.

The Virginia Wildlife Grant Program, run by WFV in partnership with DWR, provides funding to nonprofit and educational organizations for activities in archery, boating or paddling, fishing, hunting or recreational shooting, and wildlife viewing. WFV’s 2024 filing describes supported activities including educational hunting, boating, and conservation events, as well as archery and fishing education in schools.

Among the 2024 grantees, Ferrum College describes its mission as fostering students’ personal growth, academic excellence, career-ready skills, and service. Beyond Boundaries says it offers people of all ability levels and economic situations opportunities to experience outdoor activities with their community.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2024, WFV reported 13 grants totaling $173,135. Grants ranged from $5,250 to $23,090, with a median of $10,000. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia. The listed grant purposes were “education events.”

The largest listed awards included $23,090 to Ferrum College, $19,570 to Valor Ranch, $18,573 to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, $18,100 to the Rector and Visitors of UVA, and $16,892 to the Boy Scouts of Virginia Tidewater Council. Other listed recipients included Henrico County Parks and Recreation ($11,660), Backwoods Warriors Foundation ($10,000), Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia ($10,000), Beyond Boundaries ($10,000), James River Women ($10,000), Reel Connections for Kids ($10,000), and Shenandoah Reel Women ($10,000).

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Jenny West as executive director; Jim Elliot as secretary; and Matt Anderson, Patrick Ashley, Will Booker, Brent Clarke, Marlee Dance, Roy Van Houten, Pat Link, and Gibson Luck as directors. WFV’s website lists Jenny West as executive director and identifies Jim McVey as board chair, Matthew Thompson III as vice chair, and John Austin as treasurer.

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc is led by Jim McVey, Chairman on every filing since 2020; 1 of 19 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Jim McVey

    Chairman

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brent Clarke

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gibson Luck

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Giles Upshur

    Director

    Treasurer → Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marlee Dance

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matt Anderson

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mike Walker

    Director

    Director → President, 2021

    President → Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rich Sutphin

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rob Rosebro

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Roy Van Houten

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Will Booker

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Brandt Stitzer

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Net Ryder

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pat Link

    Director

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Patrick Ashley

    Director

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jenny West

    Executive Di

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $95K (2020) → $120K (2024)

  • Jim Elliot

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matthew Thompson

    Vice Chairman

    Director → Vice Chairman, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • John Austin

    Treasurer

    New on the 2024 filing

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (6)
  • Former: Bill Day (2020–2022) — Vice Chairman
  • Former: Jv Hawthorne (2020–2022) — Director
  • Former: Ashton Williamson (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Tyler Meurlin (2020–2021) — Director
  • Former: Douglas Dear (2021) — Director
  • Former: Ryan Brown (2021) — 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

Jenny West — Executive Di: $120KJenny WestExecutive Di$120K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $120K, to Jenny West (Executive Di).

Frequently asked questions about The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc

How much does The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc give each year?

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc gave $173K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $146K across 12 grants.

What is The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc's typical grant size?

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,318, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc give grants?

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc gives mostly in Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Virginia Beach, VA (2 grants) and Richmond, VA (2 grants).

Does The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education Events" (13 grants).

Who are The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc's largest grantees?

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Ferrum College ($23,090), Valor Ranch ($19,570) and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge ($18,573), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc?

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc reported $8.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.

What does The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc fund?

WFV states that it is dedicated to conserving land, providing public access and outdoor recreation, and strengthening Virginians’ commitment to the future of outdoor recreation. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc?

The Virginia Wildlife Grant Program is listed as currently open and serves nonprofit and educational organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc's EIN?

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1853027. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(6)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 13, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 17, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-wildlife-foundation-of-virginia-inc-morg_5d4bb5b5111846e1be3079216cd409c2

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_541853027_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-wildlife-foundation-of-virginia-inc-morg_5d4bb5b5111846e1be3079216cd409c2},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-06. 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 Wildlife Foundation of Virginia Inc'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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