Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
The Williamsburg Community Health Foundation (also known as Williamsburg Health Foundation or WHF) is a private health foundation based in Williamsburg, Virginia. The organization was established in September 1996 following an affiliation agreement between Williamsburg Community Hospital and Sentara Healthcare, which included a provision for a new, locally organized, and managed foundation to benefit community health. WHF is an independent private foundation dedicated to enhancing health in Greater Williamsburg through strategic grantmaking to nonprofit organizations and local and state government agencies.
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To enhance health in Greater Williamsburg
Vision: A healthy community for all
Goal: Support organizations and efforts that prioritize positive outcomes for populations with low incomes by targeting underlying factors affecting lifelong health and well-being.
Three Overarching Funding Strategies:
- Access to care
- Economic advancement
- Healthy living
Primary Funding Areas:
- Behavioral Health Services
- Community Capacity Building
- Healthy Aging
- Healthy Eating Active Living
- Integrated Care
- Public Policy Advocacy
- Two-Generation Family Services
The Foundation views health as encompassing more than physical well-being, including access to quality healthcare, mental health resources, nutritious food, opportunities for physical activity, and social networks that support connection.
Grantmaking
WHF accepts applications for both unsolicited grants and operates multiple grant cycles throughout the year. The Foundation offers two types of unsolicited grant opportunities:
Grant Range
$1,000–$770,000
Review Cycle
throughout the year. The Foundation offers two types of unsolicited grant opportunities:
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
WHF serves the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County in Virginia. The Foundation restricts grantmaking to in-state organizations within this service area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- As of September 2025: approximately $164 million
- 2024: $155,540,797
- 2023: $147.7 million
- At inception (1996): $55 million
- 2002 (post-merger): approximately $100 million
Annual Giving:
- 2024: $6,316,007 in total giving
- 2023: $5,369,650 annually
- Cumulative grants awarded since inception: over $119 million
Total Revenues (2024): $15,887,799
Total Expenses (2024): $7,510,316
Giving Rate: 3.6% of assets
Staffing: 7–8 employees
| 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 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
214 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
WHF Responsive Grant
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
WHF Unsolicited Grant: Capital Project Proposals
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
WHF Unsolicited Grant: Project/Program Proposals (Grant Cycles 1, 2, and 3)
Williamsburg Community Health Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center ($900,000), Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools ($803,200), Child Development Resources ($738,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon Street Youth and Family Services Williamsburg, VA | Support for Operations | $415,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula Newport News, VA | EatSMART at the James City County Boys & Girls Club | $10,000 |
| Center for Child and Family Services Inc Newport News, VA | The Reboot Program & Multicultural Counseling | $203,000 |
| Child Development Resources Williamsburg, VA | Capital Campaign, Basic Operating, HEART, Medical Director | $738,000 |
| City of Williamsburg Williamsburg, VA | Child Health Initiative | $283,500 |
| Colonial Behavioral Health Williamsburg, VA | Integrated Care Facilitation, Child Assessment Center | $250,000 |
| COLONIAL COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAM INC Williamsburg, VA | Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) at Colonial CASA | $10,500 |
| Comfort Zone Camp Richmond, VA | CZC Weekend Camp in Jamestown | $10,000 |
| FISH Williamsburg, VA | Freezer Capacity Increase & Food Distribution | $31,520 |
| FREE Foundation For Rehabilitation Equipment & Endowment Williamsburg, VA | F.R.E.E. of Williamsburg | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Deanna Van Hersh – President and CEO
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Grant Awards:**
September 2025: Approved $284,025 to 15 organizations, supporting programs addressing food insecurity, healthy aging, and access to behavioral, medical, public health, and recovery support services. Several first-time recipients were funded.
June 2025: Approved $3.9 million to 23 organizations across six funding areas. The Foundation noted awarding funding to several first-time grant recipients whose programs positively impact the health of economically disadvantaged individuals.
Williamsburg Health Foundation Approves $3.9 Million to Local Organizations**Strategic Direction:**
The Foundation has a Strategic Plan for 2026-2030 focused on supporting lasting health and well-being for all in the community. WHF leadership indicated that refinements to the Foundation's programmatic strategy are on the horizon in 2026, with continued focus on listening to nonprofits and governmental agencies about community opportunities and needs.
Williamsburg Health Foundation Approves $3.9 Million to Local Organizations**2024 Community Report:**
WHF published its 2024 Annual Report to the Community, celebrating collective progress made by nonprofit and public sector partners to improve health and well-being across Greater Williamsburg. The report emphasizes partnerships defined by resilience, determination, and commitment to continued advancements in enhancing health in the region.
Williamsburg Health Foundation Approves $3.9 Million to Local OrganizationsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Williamsburg Community Health Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To enhance health in Greater Williamsburg **Vision:** A healthy community for all **Goal:** Support organizations and efforts that prioritize positive outcomes for populations with low incomes by targeting underlying factors affecting lifelong health and well-being. **Three Overarching Funding Strategies:** • Access to care • Economic advancement • Healthy living **Primary Funding Areas:** • Behavioral Health Services • Community Capacity Building • Healthy Aging • Healthy Eating A…
How do I apply for a grant from Williamsburg Community Health Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • In 2025, WHF awarded nearly $6.9 million in grants • In June 2025, the Board approved $3.9 million in grant funding for 23 nonprofit organizations or government agencies • In September 2025, WHF approved $284,025 in grant funding to 15 nonprofit or government agencies **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $500,000–$900,000 • Median grant amount: $30,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$770,000 • Average annual giving: approximately $5.4 million (based on 2023 data) **App…
Where does Williamsburg Community Health Foundation make grants?
WHF serves the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County in Virginia. The Foundation restricts grantmaking to in-state organizations within this service area.
What size grants does Williamsburg Community Health Foundation award?
In 2024, Williamsburg Community Health Foundation awarded 37 grants totaling $6.3M — an average of about $171K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Williamsburg Community Health Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Williamsburg Community Health Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Williamsburg Community Health Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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