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Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia

Annual Giving
$11.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $15.0M
Success Rate
42%

Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $11,600,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Approximately 42% (based on 2024 data)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Up to $50,000 (HOPE) / $50,000+ (IMPACT)
  • Geographic Focus: Washington, Grayson, Russell, and Smyth counties, Virginia
  • Total Assets: $158,481,087

Contact Details

Address: 848 French Moore Jr. Blvd., Abingdon, VA 24210
Website: https://wellspringva.org
Email: info@wellspringva.org
Phone: Not publicly listed

Key Contacts:

  • Sean McMurray, Executive Director
  • Courtney Stringer, Director of Engagement (required meeting for IMPACT grant applicants)

Overview

The Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia is a private foundation established in 2022 following the sale of a minority ownership stake in Johnston Memorial Hospital. The foundation officially began operations on July 1, 2022, with its first grant commitment made in August 2022. With total assets of approximately $158.5 million, the foundation has rapidly scaled its grantmaking, distributing $7 million to 13 organizations in its inaugural 2023 cycle and $11.6 million to 28 organizations in 2024. The foundation's mission is "to enhance the health and wellbeing for the Virginia residents of Washington, Grayson, Russell and Smyth counties by cultivating goal-oriented partnerships." Operating under five core values—commitment, compassion, integrity, stewardship, and transparency—the foundation employs a community-driven, collaborative methodology to address multifaceted challenges including poverty, health disparities, addiction, and economic decline within its four-county service region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

HOPE Grant (Helping Others Pursue Excellence)

  • Amount: Up to $50,000 for one-time funding
  • Cycles: Two per year (June and December)
  • Application Method: Online portal with fixed deadlines
  • Current Deadline: December 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM

IMPACT Grant (Investing in Meaningful Projects Advancing Community Transformation)

  • Amount: Over $50,000 for single-year or multi-year projects
  • Cycles: One dedicated application window annually
  • Next Cycle: Opens January 2, 2026; closes February 13, 2026 at 4:30 PM
  • Application Method: Online portal with mandatory pre-application meeting
  • Special Requirement: Applicants must complete a meeting with the Director of Engagement before submission (must be completed by January 30, 2026)

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five strategic pillars:

  1. Health: Healthcare resources, services, and programs; addressing physical and mental health disparities
  2. Children & Families: Programs supporting family wellbeing and child development
  3. Workforce Development: Training programs and career pathways
  4. Education: Educational access, scholarships, and learning initiatives
  5. Economic Development: Initiatives addressing economic challenges and community revitalization

The foundation prioritizes projects that:

  • Provide tangible benefit to the community
  • Ensure measurable outcomes
  • Do not duplicate services provided by another agency
  • Address root causes of community challenges
  • Foster collaboration across sectors

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in available sources, the foundation requires:

  • Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or governmental entities
  • Projects must serve Washington, Grayson, Russell, and Smyth counties in Virginia
  • Verbal or written letters of request cannot substitute for formal grant applications

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Marvin W. Gilliam, Jr. – Board Chair
Leads MAM Development, LLC and chairs the Marcia and Marvin Gilliam, Jr. Foundation. Former part-owner and Vice President of Cumberland Resources Corp. Serves on boards of Barter Theatre and Virginia Athletics Foundation. Education: Bachelor's in economics, University of Virginia.

Haytham Adada, M.D.
Medical director of Critical Care services at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Published author and research principal investigator. Awards include Servant's Heart Award (Ballad Health) and James Gibson Medical Staff Leadership Award. Education: Medical degrees from Beirut Arab University; MBA from University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Rev. Kevin M. Campbell
Lead pastor at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church. Former chair of Mt. Rogers Community Services Board. Community volunteer with Ecumenical Faith in Action and Abingdon Rotary Club. Education: Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary.

Karen Elmore, M.D.
Founding physician and medical director of Mountain Laurel Internal Medicine. Clinic director for Johnston Memorial Hospital Internal Medicine Residency Program. Virginia Master Naturalist. Education: Bachelor's in animal science (University of Tennessee); medical degrees from University of Tennessee-Memphis.

Karl Kindig
Semi-retired attorney specializing in business transactions. Former President and General Counsel at Pittston Coal Company. Trustee of The Nature Conservancy-Virginia Chapter and Trustee Emeritus of Juniata College. Education: JD from New York University; completed Harvard Business School Program for Management Development.

Elizabeth Lowe
Member of Washington County Virginia School Board since 1994, serving 9 years as chair and 5 years as vice chair. Former Director of Extended Learning at University of Virginia College at Wise. Education: Sociology degree (UVA); Master's in Administration of Justice (VCU).

Mike McCool
Managing director at Cary Street Partners with 16+ years as financial advisor. Former board member of Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator, Johnston Memorial Hospital Foundation, and William King Museum of Art. Education: Bachelor's in Business Administration with finance concentration from College of William & Mary (2003).

Ramesh Murthy, JD
Partner at Hancock, Daniel & Johnson, P.C. specializing in workers' compensation and employment law. 30+ years experience; recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2005. Serves on Barter Theatre Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. Education: Bachelor's from King University; JD from TC Williams School of Law, University of Richmond.

JoAnn Price, DNP
Former nursing educator at Virginia Highlands Community College (retired 2023). Focus on women's health and nursing leadership. Awards: Outstanding Faculty Award in Advising; Excellence in Teaching Award (National Society of Leadership and Success). Education: Bachelor's, Master's, and DNP degrees (all with honors) from King University.

Thomas "Tom" Revels
Independent consultant specializing in health risk management for self-funded employer health plans. Co-founder of two onsite clinic and health analytics companies. Parish Council president at Faith Lutheran Church. Education: BS in Business Administration (UNC Chapel Hill); Master's in Health Administration (Duke); Executive Doctorate in Health Policy (Medical University of South Carolina).

Stephen D. Spangler
Executive Vice President of Real Estate, Store Planning and Development at K-VA-T Food Stores Inc. (Food City). Education: Bachelor's in Business Administration (The Citadel); MBA with finance concentration from King College, Bristol.

Executive Leadership & Staff

Sean McMurray – Executive Director
30+ years as senior healthcare executive. Former CEO of Johnston Memorial Hospital (2003-2016). Board service includes Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (3 terms), Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Barter Theatre, and United Way of Southwest Virginia (chair). Education: Master's in Health Administration (Brigham Young University); Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives.

Courtney Stringer – Director of Engagement
Southwest Virginia native with 18 years at UVA Wise. Former Director of Community & Business Development in UVA Wise Office of Administration. Key contact for IMPACT grant pre-application meetings. Education: Bachelor's in Business Administration with communication minor (UVA College at Wise, 2004); MBA (King University, 2006).

Susan Abel – Director of Operations
10+ years healthcare experience in Abingdon. Former manager of Dr. S. Hughes Melton Family Medicine Residency Program at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Education: Bachelor's from Presbyterian College; nonprofit management certificate (Duke University).

Rusty Little – Director of Finance
30+ years accounting and finance experience. Nearly 28 years with Highlands Union Bank as controller and CFO. Former controller at Washington County Service Authority. Education: Graduate of King University; completed Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management (UVA Darden).

Mike Harder – Senior Staff Accountant
35+ years accounting and financial leadership experience in various sectors including CPA firms and low-income housing partnerships. Education: Bachelor of Science in Accounting (University of Wyoming).

Jennifer Guenter – Administrative Assistant
18 years professional experience as legal assistant/legal secretary. Former role at Mering & Schlitz, Attorneys at Law in Baltimore, MD.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Both HOPE and IMPACT grants require formal online applications through the foundation's portal. The application process includes:

  1. Review Eligibility: Confirm your organization is a 501(c)(3) or governmental entity serving one or more of the four target counties
  2. Complete Eligibility Survey: Available on the foundation website
  3. Review Grantee Readiness Checklist: Assess organizational capacity to manage grant funds
  4. Review Grant Guidelines: Understand specific requirements for HOPE vs. IMPACT grants
  5. For IMPACT Grants Only: Schedule and complete mandatory meeting with Director of Engagement (Courtney Stringer) before submission deadline
  6. Submit Online Application: Complete formal application through online portal; an online application tutorial is available

Important: Verbal or written letters of request cannot be considered as, or substituted for, a formal grant application.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines from submission to notification are not publicly disclosed. The foundation's review process includes:

  1. Foundation staff and committee review for completeness, collaboration, alignment with mission, and potential community impact
  2. Approved applicants receive contracting and disbursement details
  3. Semi-annual reports required for IMPACT grants
  4. Annual reports required for HOPE grants

Success Rates

Based on 2024 data:

HOPE Grants: Over 30 applications received; 11 projects approved = approximately 37% success rate

IMPACT Grants: 40 applications received; 17 projects approved = approximately 43% success rate

Overall 2024: 70+ applications; 28 awards = approximately 42% success rate

The foundation has shown significant year-over-year growth, expanding from $7 million to 13 organizations in 2023 to $11.6 million to 28 organizations in 2024.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in available documentation. With two annual HOPE grant cycles and one annual IMPACT cycle, organizations may apply in subsequent rounds. Contact the foundation directly at info@wellspringva.org for specific guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

The Wellspring Foundation emphasizes several key factors in evaluating grant applications:

Alignment with Mission and Values: The foundation seeks projects that align with its vision of "leveraging collaborative partnerships to promote a healthy, thriving region." Applications should demonstrate clear connections to at least one of the five strategic pillars (health, children & families, workforce development, education, economic development).

Collaborative Approach: The foundation prioritizes partnerships that address community issues collaboratively. The foundation states it employs a "community-driven methodology" and works with "local stakeholders" to convene "cross-sector focus groups." Applications demonstrating partnerships with other organizations or sectors are favored.

Measurable Outcomes: The foundation explicitly states it prioritizes projects that "ensure measurable outcomes." Applications must articulate clear, quantifiable results and demonstrate how success will be tracked and evaluated.

Tangible Community Benefit: Projects must "provide a tangible benefit to the community" within the four-county service region. The foundation seeks to address root causes of challenges including "poverty, poor physical and mental health, addiction, lack of universal access to essential healthcare, population decline and economic challenges."

Non-Duplication of Services: The foundation will not fund projects that "result in a duplication of services provided by another agency." Applicants should clearly articulate how their project fills an unmet need or complements existing services.

For IMPACT Grants: The mandatory pre-application meeting with the Director of Engagement is critical. This meeting allows foundation staff to provide guidance, assess organizational readiness, and ensure alignment before the formal application is submitted.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

  • Virginia Highlands Community College Educational Foundation: $14.9 million (expanded to nearly $20 million) for the Washington County Promise Program, a 13-year scholarship initiative covering tuition, fees, and books for Washington County residents pursuing two-year degrees, transfer programs, or workforce training at VHCC
  • William King Museum of Art: $260,110 for Educational Outreach Programming, including the Van Gogh Outreach Program bringing art lessons to classrooms across 12 school systems in Southwest Virginia, reaching nearly 14,000 students annually

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-Application Engagement is Essential for IMPACT Grants: The mandatory meeting with the Director of Engagement (Courtney Stringer) is not optional—build this into your timeline and use it as an opportunity to receive direct guidance and refine your proposal before submission.

  • Demonstrate Collaboration: Given the foundation's explicit emphasis on "collaborative partnerships," applications should clearly articulate partnerships with other organizations, sectors, or community stakeholders. Solo initiatives are less likely to succeed than collaborative efforts.

  • Focus on Systems Change, Not Just Services: The foundation seeks "transformative change" addressing root causes of community challenges. Frame your project in terms of sustainable, systemic impact rather than temporary service provision.

  • Quantify Everything: With the foundation's emphasis on "measurable outcomes," include specific metrics, data collection methods, and evaluation plans in your application. Vague goals will not be competitive.

  • Geographic Specificity Matters: Clearly demonstrate how your project serves residents of Washington, Grayson, Russell, and/or Smyth counties. The foundation has a narrow geographic focus and prioritizes tangible local benefit.

  • Success Rates Are Competitive But Reasonable: With approximately 42% of applications funded in 2024, the foundation is selective but not impossibly competitive. Well-prepared applications aligned with strategic priorities have a realistic chance of success.

  • The Foundation is Growing Rapidly: Having increased annual giving from $7 million (2023) to $11.6 million (2024), the foundation is in an expansion phase and actively seeking strong applicants to support. This is an opportune time to apply.

References

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