Claude Moore Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $7,353,996 (2023)
Total Assets: $227,664,174
Grant Range: $25,000 - $300,000
Geographic Focus: Commonwealth of Virginia (emphasis on Loudoun County)
Application Method: Invitation only (no unsolicited applications accepted)
Giving to Date: Over $100 million since 1987

Contact Details

Address: 11350 Random Hills Road, Suite 730, Fairfax, VA 22030

Phone: (703) 934-1147

Website: www.claudemoorefoundation.org

Overview

Established in 1987 by Dr. Claude Moore, a Virginia physician and landowner, the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation has become one of Virginia's largest private funders, having donated more than $100 million to over 500 nonprofit organizations. The foundation's mission is to enhance educational opportunities for young people throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, specifically seeking to help the talented and underprivileged maximize their educational development through literacy and advanced academic pursuits. Over the past two decades, the foundation has shifted its investments from bricks and mortar to workforce development programs, particularly in healthcare. The foundation surpassed the $100 million giving milestone in 2023 and was recently honored as the 2025 Friend of Virginia 4-H by Virginia Tech.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates primarily through trustee-discretionary grantmaking with a focus on:

Claude Moore Scholars Program: The foundation's flagship initiative, which has received over $20 million in investment, introduces Virginia high school students to meaningful healthcare careers. The program has served almost 35,000 Virginia public school students across 56 public school systems linked to 14 of the 23 Virginia community colleges.
Operating Support Grants: Annual grant cycles typically distribute $2.4-2.6 million to Loudoun County-serving organizations, with grants ranging from $25,000 to $300,000. Since 2020, the foundation has awarded $15 million to Loudoun-serving nonprofits.
Statewide Educational Initiatives: Larger grants supporting workforce development and educational infrastructure throughout Virginia, including community colleges and universities.

Priority Areas

Education & Literacy

Programs that improve literacy, especially for youth
Advanced academic pursuits for talented and underprivileged students
Educational capacity building and sustainability

Healthcare Workforce Development

Healthcare education programs for school-age populations
Nursing and medical education post-high school
Entry points and advancement pathways in healthcare careers (over $24 million invested)
Behavioral health workforce programs

Human Services

Organizations serving under-resourced populations
Programs supporting individuals with disabilities
Food security and financial stability initiatives
Youth leadership development

Organizational Capacity

Funding organizational capacity building and sustainability
Emphasis on synergies and collaboration among nonprofits, business, and government sectors

Geographic Focus

While the foundation primarily focuses on Loudoun County, Virginia, its influence has expanded to impact every region of Virginia. The foundation partners with public institutions, school divisions, and other foundations throughout the Commonwealth. Early on, CMCF financed educational facilities throughout Virginia including the Claude Moore Education Center in Roanoke, which houses Virginia Western Community College's culinary arts program.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly documented, the foundation's focus areas suggest limited support for:

Organizations outside Virginia
Non-educational, non-healthcare, non-human services initiatives
Capital campaigns unrelated to their core mission areas
Organizations that do not hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Karen G. Schaufeld - Trustee and Board President of Claude Moore Opportunities. A philanthropist, author, entrepreneur, and lawyer based in Loudoun County. Also CEO and Co-Founder of Altor Locks and CEO of SWaN Hill Top.
Peter Arntson - Trustee
J. Hamilton Lambert - Former Executive Director (retired 2024). Lambert served the foundation for several decades and was instrumental in expanding the foundation's impact across Virginia. Upon his retirement, the foundation created the J. Hamilton Lambert Endowed Fund to honor his legacy.

Key Staff

Dr. William A. Hazel, Jr. - Former Senior Deputy Director of CMCF, now CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities. Dr. Hazel has been a key architect of the foundation's workforce development strategy.

Leadership Philosophy

J. Hamilton Lambert stated: "We want, just as Dr. Moore did, for Virginians to have a leg up rather than a handout."

Dr. William Hazel emphasized: "The challenges in rural health care are immense, and it's critical that we provide the next generation with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to pursue careers in this field."

The foundation's philanthropic philosophy centers on Dr. Moore's belief in providing "a leg up, not a handout," with much of their giving going to organizations that provide education and skills training to help those in need and those with disabilities better their current situations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the foundation's strategic priorities and existing relationships. Organizations are invited to apply by foundation leadership when their work aligns with CMCF's mission and current funding focus areas.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working in Virginia on education, healthcare workforce development, or services for under-resourced populations may increase their visibility through:

Virginia Funders Network: The foundation is an active member of the Virginia Funders Network, where they engage with other philanthropic organizations and learn about innovative work across the state.
Community Foundation Partnerships: CMCF has awarded significant grants to intermediary organizations like the Community Foundation for Loudoun & Northern Fauquier Counties ($300,000 in 2024), which may provide indirect pathways to foundation awareness.
Public School Partnerships: Given the foundation's deep commitment to the Claude Moore Scholars program across 56 public school systems and 14 Virginia community colleges, organizations working in partnership with these educational institutions may gain foundation visibility.
Healthcare Education Sector: Organizations operating in healthcare workforce development, particularly those addressing rural healthcare challenges or creating pathways for underrepresented populations into healthcare careers, align closely with the foundation's recent strategic focus.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, success factors relate to strategic alignment and relationship positioning:

Mission Alignment

"Leg Up, Not a Handout" Philosophy: The foundation explicitly seeks programs that provide education, skills training, and resources to help individuals better their situations—not temporary assistance. Organizations should demonstrate how their programs create sustainable pathways to self-sufficiency.

Workforce Development Focus: The foundation has invested over $24 million in healthcare workforce programs and recently created Claude Moore Opportunities to expand this work statewide. Programs that introduce under-resourced populations to high-demand careers, particularly in healthcare, strongly align with current priorities.

Evidence of Impact

Claude Moore Scholars Success: The foundation's flagship program has touched 56 public school systems and served almost 35,000 students. Organizations that can demonstrate similar scalability and measurable outcomes in student success will resonate with the foundation's priorities.

Geographic and Population Focus

Virginia Focus: All funding is directed to Virginia-based organizations or programs serving Virginia residents.

Under-Resourced Populations: The foundation specifically seeks to help "the talented and underprivileged (culturally and economically)" maximize educational development. Programs must demonstrate how they reach and effectively serve these populations.

Individuals with Disabilities: This is an explicitly stated priority population for the foundation's human services funding.

Collaborative Approach

The foundation emphasizes "synergies and collaboration among nonprofits, business, and government sectors." Organizations that demonstrate partnership approaches and avoid duplication of existing services are more likely to align with foundation values.

Sustainability and Capacity Building

The foundation focuses on "organizational capacity building and sustainability," suggesting preference for organizations with sound governance, strategic planning, and long-term viability.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only grantmaking: There is no public application process. Building visibility through sector networks, educational partnerships, and community foundations may be the only pathway to foundation awareness.
Healthcare workforce development is paramount: With over $24 million invested and the creation of Claude Moore Opportunities to expand this work, healthcare career pathways—particularly for under-resourced populations—represent the foundation's strongest current priority.
"Leg up, not a handout": Programs must demonstrate how they equip individuals with skills, education, and resources for long-term self-sufficiency, not temporary relief.
Statewide impact with Loudoun roots: While Loudoun County remains a priority (receiving $15 million since 2020), the foundation's influence has expanded to every region of Virginia. Statewide scalability is valued.
Multi-year relationships: Recent grant announcements suggest the foundation makes recurring investments in organizations over multiple years, indicating preference for long-term partnerships over one-time grants.
Emphasis on collaboration: Partnership with public institutions, school divisions, and other foundations positions organizations favorably. Avoid duplication of existing services.
Intermediary pathways: The foundation awards significant grants to intermediary organizations (e.g., $300,000 to Community Foundation for Loudoun & Northern Fauquier Counties). Connecting with these intermediaries may provide indirect access to foundation resources.

References

Information compiled December 2024