Herndon Foundation Grants

Overview

About us

The Herndon Foundation was established in 1965 by Floyd D. Gottwald Jr. and Elisabeth S. Gottwald. Over the years, the Foundation has supported a variety of local causes and institutions, reflecting the broad charitable interests of its founders.

In 2013, the Herndon Foundation received assets from the Gottwald Foundation, created by Floyd’s parents, Floyd and Anne Gottwald. With this growth came opportunity. We honed our mission statement and created more specific grant priorities to help guide current and future trustees.

What we fund

Priority Areas

Today, the Foundation gives preference to organizations serving the metro Richmond area that address one or more of the following program areas:

_Education_

We support strategies that have the most influence on students’ long-term educational advancement and career preparation. Programs of interest may include:

* Early childhood education
* School readiness
* Expanded learning and enrichment outside of school; and
* STEM programs that support teachers and/or students.

_Health & Human Services_

We seek to ensure that basic human needs are met for our most vulnerable citizens. This includes, but is not limited to, the provision of food, shelter and health care.

_Historic Preservation & Cultural Experiences_

We believe in increasing access and participation for all citizens to enjoy a robust arts and culture community including, but not limited to:

* Programs that provide access to natural resources;
* Programs that sustain the environment through education, preservation and resto­ration;
* Visual and performing arts, museums and other cultural institutions; and
* Programs that preserve the environment and cultural heritage.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* The Grants Committee will consider grants for programs, general operating and limited endowment requests. 
* The Foundation awards grants to organizations which are tax-exempt under IRS Section 501 (c) (3) and are not private foundations as described under section 509 (a).
* Qualified nonprofit organizations throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible for support.