Virginia Environmental Endowment
Virginia Environmental Endowment (VEE) is a Richmond-based public charity and independent grant-making foundation formed in 1977. It funds environmental projects and programs, with awards currently focused primarily on Virginia.
Virginia Environmental Endowment at a glance
In short: Virginia Environmental Endowment gave $2.0M across 35 grants in 2026 (avg $56K), mostly in Virginia. 26% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $1,969,897
- -23.7% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 35
- -5.4% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $56,283
- -19.3% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $29,119
- Total assets
- $32,737,298
- +1.1% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (9 of 35, 2026)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (86% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Virginia Environmental Endowment
- Next open deadline
- January 15, 2027 (Community Conservation Program)
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 790, Richmond, VA 23218-0790
Phone: (804) 379-3591
Website: https://vee.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Virginia Environmental Endowment
Community Conservation Program
Virginia Environmental Endowment
Amount
Minimum $50,000
Deadline
Expected ~January
Based on past cycles
Community Conservation Program Grant
Virginia Environmental Endowment
Amount
More than US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys Program
Virginia Environmental Endowment
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Virginia Environmental Endowment funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was James River Association ($479K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($24,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
159 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 123 grants of 159 (77%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
VEE says awards are currently limited primarily to Virginia. In 2026, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia, 5% to Maryland, 5% to North Carolina, and 4% to the District of Columbia. The Community Conservation Program covers Craig, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery, Pittsylvania, and Roanoke counties, and the cities of Salem and Roanoke. The Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys Program, historically focused on parts of Kentucky and West Virginia, is closed to new applications.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Virginia Environmental Endowment open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 9 of 35 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2026). 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2024) to $4.0M (2020). In 2026 it made 35 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| James River Association Richmond, VA | Immersive outdoor education programs with hopewell and petersburg public schools | $478,669 |
| Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc Richmond, VA | Mattanock Town Living Shoreline | $330,637 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Biological Systems Engi Blacksburg, VA | What's in our water? Promoting well water stewardship through youth education | $133,331 |
| New River Conservancy West Jefferson, NC | New River Clean-up and Recovery | $98,850 |
| Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission Roanoke, VA | Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Region Septic Pump-Out Program | $85,411 |
| Blue Sky Fund Richmond, VA | Blue sky fund explorers program - nature-based science education for richmond public schools elementary students | $50,000 |
| Bay Journal Media Mayo, MD | Ag & the Bay: Sowing a Conversation | $50,000 |
| Southern Environmental Law Center Charlottesville, VA | Leadership for advancing sustainable land use and land conservation in Virginia, promoting coastal resiliency, and protecting water quality in the chesapeake bay and throughout the commonwealth | $40,000 |
| Wetlands Watch Norfolk, VA | General Operating Funds for Wetlands Watch | $40,000 |
| Virginia Institute of Marine Science -Virginia Sea Grant (Vasg) Gloucester Point, VA | Commonwealth Marine and Coastal Policy Fellowship | $40,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Virginia Environmental Endowment?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $32,737,298 | $9,915,505 | $2,939,695 | $1,969,897 | 35 | $9,915,505 |
| 2025 | $32,376,826 | $3,820,378 | $3,259,234 | $2,580,878 | 37 | $3,820,378 |
| 2024 | $33,633,125 | $1,254,882 | $4,782,133 | $1,431,445 | 26 | $1,254,882 |
| 2023 | $34,168,054 | $1,136,573 | $3,456,259 | $2,721,047 | 32 | $1,136,573 |
| 2022 | $39,141,964 | $1,790,193 | $4,382,609 | $2,228,111 | 29 | $1,790,193 |
| 2021 | $41,074,927 | $1,583,948 | $2,485,744 | $1,909,577 | 41 | $1,583,948 |
| 2020 | $37,896,426 | $774,888 | $4,601,052 | $4,044,879 | 35 | $774,888 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
VEE’s stated mission is to improve environmental quality by funding projects and programs that encourage cooperation across sectors to prevent pollution, improve water quality, restore the Chesapeake Bay, conserve natural resources, promote environmental literacy and public awareness, and address emerging issues. Although its charter gives it a national scope, VEE says it currently limits awards to eligible organizations and projects conducted primarily in Virginia.
Its Virginia Program priorities include improving local rivers and protecting water quality, restoring the Chesapeake Bay, innovative land conservation and sustainable land use, environmental literacy and public awareness, climate adaptation, and emerging issues. The James River Water Quality Improvement Program focuses on significant water quality benefits in the James River and its Virginia tributaries. Its current strategic priorities include riparian buffers, agricultural pollution reduction, living shorelines, and stream restoration. The Community Conservation Program supports water quality, land conservation, and environmental literacy in specified southwest and south-central Virginia localities.
Among the 2026 grantees, the James River Association describes its mission as serving as guardian of the James River and promoting conservation and responsible stewardship. Wetlands Watch says it works to strengthen natural resilience, support community adaptation, and protect and restore Virginia wetlands. Blue Sky Fund describes its work as providing transformational outdoor education experiences for Richmond-area youth.
Grantmaking
IRS filing data for 2026 reports 35 grants totaling $1,969,897. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $478,669, with a median of $29,119. The largest listed award was $478,669 to James River Association for immersive outdoor education programs with Hopewell and Petersburg public schools. Other major awards included $330,637 to Chesapeake Bay Foundation for the Mattanock Town living shoreline; $133,331 to an individual recipient for youth education on well-water stewardship; and $98,850 to New River Conservancy for New River clean-up and recovery.
Other listed grants included $85,411 to Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission for a septic pump-out program; $50,000 each to Blue Sky Fund for nature-based science education in Richmond public schools and Bay Journal Media for “Ag & the Bay”; and $40,000 each to Southern Environmental Law Center, Wetlands Watch, and Virginia Institute of Marine Science–Virginia Sea Grant. VEE also awarded $35,000 to Virginia Conservation Network for clean-water coordination and $35,000 to Potomac Riverkeeper Network for work addressing PFAS pollution in biosolids.
The funder’s website says Virginia Program proposals are submitted electronically using the required application form. Its stated annual deadlines are June 15 and December 1, with proposals due by 5 p.m. Eastern Time; the June 15, 2026 deadline has passed, and the next stated deadline is December 1, 2026. The board normally considers December proposals in April and June proposals in October. The James River program has an annual June 15 deadline, which has passed for 2026. The Community Conservation Program’s annual January 15 deadline has also passed for 2026.
VEE says applications should offer a reasonable chance of tangible results, such as on-the-ground impacts or policy improvements. It encourages collaboration and collective impact and favors proposals with cash matches, potential to leverage continued support, and regional or statewide significance. Its FAQ says it does not fund litigation, general support, overhead or indirect costs, capital projects, land purchases, building construction or renovation, endowments, or individuals. Grantees generally report quarterly, and grant funds are released after reports are submitted and reviewed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Dixon M. Butler as president, Robert B. Smith Jr. as senior vice president, Nina Randolph as treasurer, and Joseph H. Maroon as secretary and executive director. Directors listed are Robin D. Baliles, Lasalle D. Leffall III, Celia Dallas, Elizabeth Cabell Jennings, and Lisa Smith.
Virginia Environmental Endowment is led by Joseph H. Maroon, Secretary & Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Joseph H. Maroon
Secretary & Executive Director
On filings since 2020
48 hrs/week
$184K (2020) → $218K (2026)
Dixon M. Butler
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin D. Baliles
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Celia Dallas
Director
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Cabell Jennings
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lasalle D. Leffall III
Director
On filings since 2025
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Smith
Director
On filings since 2025
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nina Randolph
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert B. Smith Jr.
Senior Vice President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Blair Wimbush (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Newnie Rogers (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lawrence E. Kochard (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $218K, to Joseph H Maroon (Secretary, Executive Direc).
Frequently asked questions about Virginia Environmental Endowment
How much does Virginia Environmental Endowment give each year?
Virginia Environmental Endowment gave $2.0M across 35 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $2.6M across 37 grants.
What is Virginia Environmental Endowment's typical grant size?
Virginia Environmental Endowment's median grant in 2026 was $29,119, and its average grant was $56,283, across 35 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Virginia Environmental Endowment that year got $36K on average.
Where does Virginia Environmental Endowment give grants?
Virginia Environmental Endowment gives mostly in Virginia: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (5%) and North Carolina (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Richmond, VA (7 grants), Charlottesville, VA (4 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Roanoke, VA (2 grants).
Does Virginia Environmental Endowment give general operating support?
Occasionally: 3% of Virginia Environmental Endowment's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990.
Who are Virginia Environmental Endowment's largest grantees?
Virginia Environmental Endowment's largest 2026 grantees include James River Association ($478,669), Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc ($330,637) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Biological Systems Engi ($133,331), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($24,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Virginia Environmental Endowment?
Virginia Environmental Endowment reported $32.7M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.9M.
What does Virginia Environmental Endowment fund?
VEE’s stated mission is to improve environmental quality by funding projects and programs that encourage cooperation across sectors to prevent pollution, improve water quality, restore the Chesapeake Bay, conserve natural resources, promote environmental literacy and public awareness, and address emerging issues. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Virginia Environmental Endowment?
Virginia Environmental Endowment has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check vee.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Virginia Environmental Endowment's EIN?
Virginia Environmental Endowment's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1041973. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 24, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Virginia Environmental Endowment's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Virginia Environmental Endowment funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/virginia-environmental-endowment-morg_cdba424b34cd4b109240eabdfdfbdb62
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_541041973_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Virginia Environmental Endowment funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/virginia-environmental-endowment-morg_cdba424b34cd4b109240eabdfdfbdb62},
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 Virginia Environmental Endowment'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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