Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
The Williamsburg Community Health Foundation, also known as the Williamsburg Health Foundation (WHF), is an independent private foundation based in Williamsburg, Virginia. Established in 1996, it awards grants to nonprofit organizations and government agencies serving Greater Williamsburg to enhance community health, with particular attention to positive outcomes for people with low incomes.
Key facts about Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
In short: Williamsburg Community Health Foundation gave $6.3M across 37 grants in 2024 (avg $171K), mostly in Virginia. 5% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 54-1822359
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,316,007
- Grants made (2024)
- 37
- Average grant
- $170,703
- Median grant
- $65,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (2 of 37, 2024)
- Total assets
- $155,540,797
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to apply
- WHF accepts unsolicited requests through online applications for project/program proposals and capital projects. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- For 2026 Cycle 3, the stated deadline for both project/program and capital project proposals is September 29, 2026, at…
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$155.5M
+5.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.3M
+17.5% YoY
Grant Count
37
-43.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$171K
+106.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Williamsburg Community Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Williamsburg Community Health Foundation open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 37 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $180K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $66K repeat.
- 92% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 40% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
WHF’s mission is to enhance health in Greater Williamsburg. Its 2026 guidelines describe three focus areas:
- Access to care: Availability, affordability, and quality of health-related services, including primary, behavioral, and dental care; affordable or free medicines for people without insurance; and supportive services that connect people with multiple resources.
- Economic advancement: Financial literacy and access to essential resources, including educational success, housing stability, and transportation.
- Healthy living: Nutritious food, opportunities for physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and social connection.
WHF supports nonprofit organizations as well as local and state government agencies. Its 2025 program materials identify eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits that file IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ and state or local government agencies. Among its 2024 grantees, Child Development Resources describes its work as providing services for young children and families and training for early-childhood professionals. Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic says it provides comprehensive healthcare addressing unmet community needs. Peninsula Agency on Aging describes its mission as supporting the independence and quality of life of Peninsula residents, primarily those 60 and older. Center for Child and Family Services says it delivers counseling and support services to individuals and families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, WHF awarded 37 grants totaling $6,316,007. Grants ranged from $3,750 to $900,000, with a median award of $65,000. The largest awards included $900,000 to Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center for Chronic Care Collaborative and basic operating support; $803,200 to Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools for its School Health Initiative, Summer Food, and Running Club; $738,000 to Child Development Resources for a capital campaign, basic operating support, HEART, and a medical director; and $500,000 to Lackey Clinic for the Chronic Care Collaborative. Other large grants included $433,500 to James City County and $415,000 to Bacon Street Youth and Family Services.
WHF says it is interested in evidence-based, promising, or previously successful approaches, as well as new ideas. Priority considerations include alignment with its mission and strategies, impact on economically disadvantaged people—including those who are uninsured or underinsured—and collaboration among partners.
Review Cycle
For 2026 Cycle 3, the stated deadline for both project/program and capital project proposals is September 29, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
How to Apply
WHF accepts unsolicited requests through online applications for project/program proposals and capital projects. Project/program proposals are accepted in Grant Cycles 1, 2, and 3; capital project proposals are considered in Cycle 3. Applicants identify the need, target population, proposed strategy, and alignment with WHF’s strategic plan and funding strategies. Project/program applicants must attach WHF’s Program Budget Packet; capital applications require project-specific budget information. The 2024 filing also describes required materials as a board roster, annual report, IRS Form 990, annual audit, and allowable-cost information, in accordance with WHF policies. Award conditions exclude expenditures for annual appeals and fundraising, endowments, real estate acquisitions, replacing funds cut by governments or other organizations, and lobbying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
WHF Responsive Grant
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
WHF Unsolicited Grant: Capital Project Proposals
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
WHF Unsolicited Grant: Project/Program Proposals (Grant Cycles 1, 2, and 3)
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Williamsburg Community Health Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WHF defines Greater Williamsburg as the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County. It says it occasionally funds organizations outside that service area by invitation to advance its mission. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 37 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.5M (2021) to $6.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 37 grants totaling $6.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center ($900K). Together the top 10 received $4.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
231 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 143 grants of 231 (62%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center Williamsburg, VA | Chronic Care Collaborative & Basic Operating | $900,000 |
| Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools Williamsburg, VA | School Health Initiative, Summer Food, & Running Club | $803,200 |
| Child Development Resources Williamsburg, VA | Capital Campaign, Basic Operating, HEART, Medical Director | $738,000 |
| Lackey Clinic Yorktown, VA | Chronic Care Collaborative | $500,000 |
| James City County Williamsburg, VA | Child Health Initiative & Community Fitness Court | $433,500 |
| Bacon Street Youth and Family Services Williamsburg, VA | Support for Operations | $415,000 |
| Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic Gloucester, VA | Chronic Care Collaborative | $300,500 |
| Peninsula Agency on Aging Newport News, VA | PAA RIDES, Noontime Meals, & PAA Williamsburg | $289,000 |
| City of Williamsburg Williamsburg, VA | Child Health Initiative | $283,500 |
| Colonial Behavioral Health Williamsburg, VA | Integrated Care Facilitation, Child Assessment Center | $250,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $155,540,797 | $15,887,799 | $7,510,316 | $6,316,007 |
| 2023 | $147,724,940 | $6,358,557 | $9,576,028 | $5,373,850 |
| 2022 | $136,875,615 | $9,987,921 | $9,153,008 | $4,518,800 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $155,540,797 | $147,724,940 | $136,875,615 |
| Revenue | $15,887,799 | $6,358,557 | $9,987,921 |
| Expenses | $7,510,316 | $9,576,028 | $9,153,008 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,833,579 | $6,892,692 | $6,551,539 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,802,821 | $4,237,398 | $7,247,572 |
| Distributable Amount | $7,593,044 | $6,946,814 | $7,757,584 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 5, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation is led by Deanna Van Hersh, President, CEO & Board Secretary on every filing since 2023; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Deanna Van Hersh
President, CEO & Board Secretary
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$165K (2023) → $212K (2024)
Beth F. Davis
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas J. Myers
Investment & Finance Chair
Trustee → Investment & Finance Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
M Anderson Bradshaw
Governance Nominating Chair
Trustee → Governance Nominating Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven R. Staples
Audit Committee Chair
Trustee → Audit Committee Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adria Vanhoozier
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alfred L Woods
Trustee
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenda H. Turner
Trustee
Trustee → External Affairs Chair, 2021
External Affairs Chair → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelli Mansel-Arbuckle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth De Falcon
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
andrea donnor
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
cheri green
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
robert a Whitehead Sr.
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan R Green
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Pulley
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rhiannon Hartman
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Felicia Stovall
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juanita Parks
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Earl T Granger III (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jackson C Tuttle II (2020–2023) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Thomas G. Tingle (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Philip Tuning (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Carol L. Sale (2020–2022) — President, CEO & Board Secretary
- Former: Louis F. Rossiter (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Paul W. Gerhardt (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert J. Singley (2020–2021) — Investment & Finance Chair
- Former: David E. Bush (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Maribel O. Saimre (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Marshall N. Warne (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Robert B. Taylor (2020) — Trustee
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 $212K, to Deanna Van Hersh (President & CEO/Board Secretary).
Contact
Application contact: Deanna Van Hersh
Mailing address: 4801 Courthouse Street No 200, Williamsburg, VA 23188
Phone: (757) 345-0912
Website: https://williamsburghealthfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
How much does Williamsburg Community Health Foundation give each year?
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation gave $6.3M across 37 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.4M across 65 grants.
What is Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's typical grant size?
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $65,000, and its average grant was $170,703, across 37 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Williamsburg Community Health Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Williamsburg Community Health Foundation give grants?
Williamsburg Community Health 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 Williamsburg, VA (18 grants), Richmond, VA (9 grants) and Newport News, VA (4 grants).
Does Williamsburg Community Health Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 37) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's largest grantees?
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center ($900,000), Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools ($803,200) and Child Development Resources ($738,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Williamsburg Community Health Foundation?
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation reported $155.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.6M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Williamsburg Community Health Foundation fund?
WHF’s mission is to enhance health in Greater Williamsburg. Its 2026 guidelines describe three focus areas: See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Williamsburg Community Health Foundation?
WHF accepts unsolicited requests through online applications for project/program proposals and capital projects. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's EIN?
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1822359. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Williamsburg Community Health Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 September 2026.
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