Commonwealth Foundations - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8,056,172 (2023)
• Number of Grants: 87 awards (2023)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (invite-only)
• Grant Range: Not publicly available
• Geographic Focus: Virginia (Commonwealth of Virginia)

Contact Details

Address: 800 E Canal St Ste 1900, Richmond, VA 23219-3955
Phone: 804-643-4200
Website: None
Email: Not publicly available

Overview

Commonwealth Foundations is a private foundation established in 2016 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. The foundation distributed $8,056,172 through 87 grants in 2023, demonstrating consistent philanthropic activity with 75 awards in 2022 and 92 in 2021. Commonwealth Foundations operates as part of a network of related entities including Commonwealth Foundation I, III, IV, and V, all located at the same Richmond address and functioning as supporting organizations of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond. These foundations collectively support educational institutions and nonprofits that enhance quality of life for citizens within the Commonwealth of Virginia. The foundation operates on a discretionary basis with trustees determining grant recipients without a public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Commonwealth Foundations does not operate defined grant programs with published guidelines or funding tiers. Grants are awarded at the discretion of trustees based on organizational priorities and existing relationships.

Priority Areas

• Education: Support for educational institutions and educational programming
• Quality of Life Enhancement: Nonprofits that broadly enhance quality of life for Virginia citizens
• Charitable Purposes: Scientific, educational, and charitable initiatives aligned with community foundation goals
• Geographic Focus: Primary focus on the Commonwealth of Virginia, particularly the greater Richmond region

What They Don't Fund

Specific funding exclusions are not publicly documented. As an invite-only foundation, the foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests from organizations outside their existing network.

Governance and Leadership

Specific information about trustees, officers, and board members is not publicly available through standard nonprofit databases. The foundation files Form 990-PF as required of private foundations, but detailed governance information has not been accessible through electronic filings.

Commonwealth Foundations operates in coordination with related entities:

• Commonwealth Foundation I (EIN 62-1668516)
• Commonwealth Foundation III (EIN 62-1668518)
• Commonwealth Foundation IV (EIN 62-1668519)
• Commonwealth Foundation V (EIN 62-1668521)

All entities function as supporting organizations of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Commonwealth Foundations operates on an invite-only basis where grants are awarded at the discretion of trustees. The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or proposals.

Getting on Their Radar

Since Commonwealth Foundations operates as a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, establishing a relationship with the main Community Foundation may provide pathways to awareness. The Community Foundation manages over 1,000 charitable funds and has extensive nonprofit partnerships throughout the Richmond region.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invite-only foundation.

Application Success Factors

Since Commonwealth Foundations operates without a public application process, traditional success factors do not apply. However, organizations that receive funding likely share these characteristics:

• Virginia-Based Impact: Focus on organizations that enhance quality of life within the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Educational Excellence: Priority for education-related organizations
• Established Track Record: Preference for organizations with proven impact
• Regional Presence: Strong visibility in the greater Richmond region
• Alignment with Community Foundation Values: Consistency with broader community foundation priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Commonwealth Foundations operates on an invite-only basis without public applications
• Part of a larger network of supporting organizations under the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
• Exclusively supports Virginia-based organizations with emphasis on Richmond region
• Distributed over $8 million through 87 grants in 2023 despite invite-only status
• Educational institutions appear to be a priority area
• Building relationships with the broader Community Foundation network may be more accessible than direct outreach
• Focus on demonstrable impact in Virginia communities rather than attempting direct contact

References

1. Cause IQ - Commonwealth Foundations Profile. EIN 46-5103846. Accessed March 11, 2026.
2. Charity Navigator - Commonwealth Foundations Profile. Accessed March 11, 2026.
3. Instrumentl - Commonwealth Foundations 990 Report. Accessed March 11, 2026.
4. Candid Foundation Directory - Commonwealth Foundations Grantmaker Profile. Accessed March 11, 2026.
5. Community Foundation for a greater Richmond - Official Website. Accessed March 11, 2026.