Hughes Memorial Foundation Grant

Hughes Memorial Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Hughes Memorial Foundation
Last Updated: July 21, 2025

Summary

The Hughes Memorial Foundation, established by John Edward Hughes, focuses on aiding children and youth in Virginia and North Carolina. Originally created as an orphanage, it now awards grants and scholarships to support projects that benefit children in need. Since 2000, it has distributed over $5.1 million to nonprofit organizations, emphasizing prudent stewardship and a commitment to helping those "most in harm's way". The Foundation also encourages matching funds from organizations to amplify their impact.

Overview

About the Hughes Memorial Foundation Hughes Memorial Foundation was established by John Edward Hughes who built his fortune in the tobacco industry and upon his death in 1922 left most of his estate to build Hughes Memorial Home, an orphanage located in Danville, Virginia. He established a trust fund, which was governed by a Board that was elected and approved by the church, to financially assist with the needs of the facility. The orphanage was self-sufficient in that the staff and children raised vegetables and animals to assist with the cost of food. The agricultural program also served as a training program for the residents. Many of the individuals that were raised at the orphanage still consider it their "home". The alumnae of Hughes Memorial Home meet annually. Being a non-profit organization, Hughes Memorial also received charitable contributions from individuals wishing to help financial support the orphanage and the children. In the mid 1970's because of the reduction in need for the orphanage, Hughes Memorial became a residential treatment facility for abused and neglected adolescents. The residential treatment program was discontinued in 1999 and the Board of Hughes Memorial Home made the decision to become a private foundation that kept as its focus the example of Jesus Christ and the legacy of Mr. Hughes' original wishes which was to help children "most in harm's way" ... they chose to do this by awarding grants and scholarships that were targeted for the benefit of children. The first awards were made by the Board in November of 2000. Since then, the Hughes Memorial Foundation has awarded $5.1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations for programs benefiting children, and educational scholarships. Our Mission The Hughes Memorial Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization that seeks to aid deserving children in Virginia and North Carolina, and linear offspring of Hughes Memorial Home alumnae. Guided by the example of Jesus Christ and continuing the legacy of John E. Hughes, the Foundation will be prudent stewards of the resources entrusted to us and will provide scholarships and grants, support projects, and initiate programs which will provide care, training, and nurture.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Hughes Memorial Foundation awards grants to 501(c) (3) organizations to children and youth targeted projects in the Virginia counties of Pittsylvania, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Charlotte, Campbell, Bedford, Franklin, Henry and Patrick; the North Carolina counties of Stokes, Rockingham, Caswell, and Person; and the cities of Virginia and North Carolina that are located within those counties. Grants are awarded for special projects and capital improvements that will benefit children in need. Hughes will not assume obligations for longer than 3 years.

Ineligibility

Organizations should not view Hughes as the sole source of funding for an activity or project.Hughes Memorial Foundation typically does not award grants to the following:Private 509(a) foundationsPublic SchoolsPrivate SchoolsGovernment agenciesSectarian and religious organizations (except for special projects that minister only to needy and/or at-risk children and are not a part of the organization's customary ministry)Organizations or persons for distribution to other beneficiaries of their own choosing.Grants for any purpose which would jeopardize its tax-exempt statusLoansDebt retirement or deficit financingNormal operating expensesPropaganda and/or lobbyingInfluencing electionsResearchActivities carried out beyond the boundaries of Virginia and North CarolinaContinuation of programs previously financed by other external sourcesEmergency fundingEndowmentGeneral fund drives or annual charitable appealsAttendance at conferences, seminars or workshopsMedia production and distribution, including television and radio programming.