← Back to US Funders Directory

The Blocker Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.4M

The Blocker Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $107.6 million (2024)
  • Annual Giving: $4.4 million (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 59 grants awarded (2023)
  • Grant Range: Up to $425,000+ (discretionary grants capped at $25,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Hampton Roads Metropolitan Service Area (VA & NC)
  • Application Cycles: Twice yearly (March 1 and September 1)

Contact Details

Address: Suffolk, VA

Phone: 757-942-2005

Email: grants@theblockerfoundation.com

Website: https://theblockerfoundation.com

Important: Applicants are strongly encouraged to call or email before submitting an application.

Overview

The Blocker Foundation was established in 1982 by S. Frank Blocker, Jr., a Norfolk native and successful businessman who built Eastern Auto Distributors and engaged in extensive entrepreneurial activities. Following Mr. Blocker's death in 2020 at age 93, the foundation continues his philanthropic legacy under the leadership of President & CEO Whitney G. Saunders. With total assets of $107.6 million and annual giving of approximately $4.4 million, the foundation serves the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Service Area through strategic grant-making focused on five key priorities: wholesome nourishment, safe shelter, educational opportunity, economic opportunity, and a healthy environment. The foundation awarded 59 grants in 2023, supporting nonprofits that create meaningful community impact across the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Regular Grant Cycles

  • Applications accepted twice yearly with deadlines of March 1 and September 1 (2pm)
  • Grants can range from 12 months to 5 years in duration
  • No strict funding limit, though most grants align with the foundation's capacity
  • Grant periods: March applications fund July 1 start dates; September applications fund January 1 start dates
  • Beginning Fall 2026: Letters of Intent (LOI) will be required, with first LOI round due June 15th

Discretionary Grants

  • Awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • Maximum grant amount: $25,000
  • Projects must be completed within 12 months
  • Designed for small, discrete, time-limited projects addressing current and immediate needs

Priority Areas

The foundation seeks to "inspire, empower and support the Hampton Roads community" through five core focus areas:

  1. Wholesome Nourishment - Food security and distribution programs that minimize waste and strengthen communities
  2. Safe Shelter - Emergency shelter for families and children
  3. Educational Opportunity - Early childhood education, youth development, workforce training
  4. Economic Opportunity - Professional development, program expansion supporting economic advancement
  5. Healthy Environment - Programs creating healthy communities where all may thrive

Recent Grant Examples:

  • $425,000 to The Up Center (2022) for a four-year Center of Excellence Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative to train licensed mental health professionals
  • Funding for two-classroom addition to the Blocker Youth Center at Virginia Wesleyan University
  • Support for Commonwealth Alliance for Rural Colleges scholarship program for Hampton Roads students

Geographic Service Area

The foundation serves tax-exempt nonprofit organizations operating in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Statistical Area, including:

Virginia Cities: Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg

Virginia Counties: Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Southampton, York

North Carolina Counties: Camden, Currituck, Gates

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not publicly documented in available sources. Applicants should contact the foundation directly to discuss eligibility.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Whitney G. Saunders - President & CEO

  • Practiced law in Hampton Roads for 40+ years
  • Graduated from Woodberry Forest School, Swarthmore College, and UVA School of Law
  • Named Suffolk's First Citizen in 2006
  • Vice-Chair of Sentara Healthcare Board of Directors
  • Quote: "Improving access to quality mental health care providers, especially in underserved communities, is a significant need in our community. We are proud to partner with the Up Center to educate and train the next generation of mental health counselors, bringing these critical resources to our area."

Frederick Martin - Vice President

  • Background in institutional and private finance
  • University of Florida graduate (1959)
  • Over 40 years serving on charitable organization boards
  • Long-time friend and advisor of Frank Blocker for over 50 years

John (Jack) Bissett - Treasurer

  • U.S. Air Force veteran
  • Former owner of Bissett Realty, Inc.
  • Commercial real estate experience with Old Dominion University and S.L. Nusbaum

William H. "Billy" George - Secretary

  • 40+ years of YMCA service
  • Bachelor's in Recreation Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Led multiple YMCA expansions and mergers in Richmond and South Hampton Roads

Reginald Corinaldi - Board Member

  • Swarthmore College graduate, MBA from UNC Chapel Hill
  • Certified Financial Planner for 25+ years
  • Founded Financial Security Management, Inc.
  • Active supporter of Edmarc Children's Hospice, United Way, and African American Leadership Giving Institute

Staff

Sarah Taylor - Director of Programs and Grantmaking

  • Degree in Business Administration from Old Dominion University
  • Former Health and Wellness Director at YMCA and Director at Physical Therapy Works
  • Most recently Program Officer at Obici Healthcare Foundation

Pat Bennett - Business Manager/Executive Assistant

  • Hampton Roads native
  • Bachelor's in Network Security from ECPI Technical Institute
  • 13 years at a credit union, 5 years at a local bank, 15 years as Administrative Assistant

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Application Contact (Highly Encouraged) Call 757-942-2005 or email grants@theblockerfoundation.com before submitting an application. The foundation strongly encourages prospective applicants to have a conversation before submission. Requests for conversations after submission will not be considered.

Application Submission

  • All applications must be submitted through the foundation's online grants system
  • System is NOT HIPAA compliant - do not submit protected information
  • Downloadable templates available: Cover Page Template, Budget Template, and Budget Guidelines

Application Deadlines

  • March 1 (2pm) - For grants starting July 1
  • September 1 (2pm) - For grants starting January 1
  • Discretionary Grants: Rolling basis throughout the year

Future Changes Beginning with the September 2026 cycle, Letters of Intent (LOI) will be required for all interested applicants. First LOI round due June 15, 2026.

Grant Terms

  • Projects must be completed within 12 months (discretionary grants) or can range from 12 months to 5 years (regular grants)
  • Timeline should match the proposed project scope

Reporting Requirements Grantees must submit narrative and financial reports after project completion.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines were not publicly documented. Applicants should inquire about expected notification dates during their pre-application conversation with foundation staff.

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 59 grants in 2023 from total charitable disbursements of $5.3 million. Historical grant numbers: 42 grants (2022), 7 grants (2021), 12 grants (2020), 60 grants (2019), 76 grants (2018). Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants were not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the foundation directly at 757-942-2005 or grants@theblockerfoundation.com to discuss reapplication options.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Explicit Guidance:

  • Contact before applying: The foundation highly encourages initial phone or email contact before submitting applications
  • Review application requirements beforehand: Ensure you understand all requirements and have necessary materials ready
  • Ensure mission alignment: Projects must clearly align with at least one of the foundation's five priority areas
  • Geographic eligibility: Organizations must serve populations within the Hampton Roads MSA

Strategic Considerations:

  • The foundation values collaborative efforts that minimize waste and strengthen communities (especially for food distribution programs)
  • Projects addressing immediate community needs may be suitable for discretionary grants
  • Multi-year initiatives requiring substantial funding are considered - the foundation awarded a $425,000 four-year grant to The Up Center, demonstrating willingness to support comprehensive workforce development programs
  • Educational and workforce training programs appear to be of particular interest, as evidenced by support for the Up Center's behavioral health workforce initiative and rural college scholarships

Understanding the Foundation's Roots:

  • The foundation continues Frank Blocker's legacy of supporting organizations where he was personally involved, particularly the YMCA and Virginia Wesleyan University
  • The renamed "Blocker Norfolk Family YMCA" reflects the founder's deep commitment to youth development and community wellness
  • Board members have extensive nonprofit sector experience and value demonstrated community impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application contact is essential: Call 757-942-2005 or email grants@theblockerfoundation.com before submitting - the foundation explicitly states this is "highly encouraged" and won't consider post-submission conversation requests
  • Mission alignment is critical: Clearly demonstrate how your project addresses one or more of the five priority areas (nourishment, shelter, education, economic opportunity, healthy environment)
  • Geographic boundaries matter: Your organization must serve the Hampton Roads MSA (specific cities and counties listed)
  • Consider project scope: Small immediate needs ($25,000 or less) can apply via rolling discretionary grants; larger initiatives can request multi-year support through regular cycles
  • Plan ahead for 2026 changes: Beginning September 2026, LOIs will be required - factor this into your application timeline
  • Leverage collaborative approaches: The foundation values partnerships that strengthen communities and minimize resource waste
  • Substantial grants are possible: The $425,000 Up Center grant demonstrates the foundation will make significant investments in comprehensive programs that address critical community needs

References

← Back to US Funders Directory