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The United Company Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.4M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.3M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,428,015 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $250,000
  • Geographic Focus: Bristol, VA/TN region and Southwest Virginia/Southern Appalachia

Contact Details

Address: 295 United Ave, Bristol, VA 24201-3389

Phone: 276-645-1454

Fax: 276-645-1420

Email: [email protected]

Scholarship Contact: Rose Hurley, Mountain Mission School, 1760 Edgewater Drive, Grundy, VA 24614

Overview

The United Company Foundation was established in 1986 as the philanthropic arm of The United Company, a diversified business founded by James W. and Frances McGlothlin. The foundation provided $2,428,015 in grants across 109 awards in 2023. The foundation's mission centers on helping those in need, specifically focusing on children, food and shelter, health, and arts and sciences. For over 20 years, the foundation has hosted an annual Christmas giving event in Bristol, distributing funds to nearly 50 area agencies, educational institutions, and public safety organizations throughout Southwest Virginia and the greater southern Appalachian region. According to Israel O'Quinn, President of The United Company Foundation, "Feeding, clothing and educating children and making sure they have the resources to grow up and be successful was really the main focus of the foundation." The foundation runs community programs including a soup kitchen and food-box program while providing discretionary grants to local nonprofits.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Community Grants: $10,000 - $250,000

  • Awarded primarily through trustee discretion at the annual Christmas event
  • Focus on established community organizations and institutions
  • No formal application deadlines; grants distributed annually in December

Mountain Mission School Scholarships: Up to $15,000 per student per year

  • Covers tuition, fees, room, board, books, and supplies for higher education
  • Rolling application with deadlines of July 1 (fall semester) and December 1 (spring semester)
  • Administered through Mountain Mission School's college and career counselor

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes funding in the following areas:

Education (63% of giving)

  • Higher education institutions
  • K-12 schools and educational programs
  • College scholarships for underserved students
  • Educational infrastructure and programs

Social & Human Services (19% of giving)

  • Food assistance programs
  • Housing and shelter services
  • Youth services and camps for at-risk children
  • Community support organizations

Health (6% of giving)

  • Healthcare facilities and clinics
  • Dental services for the uninsured
  • Health-related community programs

Arts and Culture

  • Theater and performing arts
  • Cultural institutions

Public Safety

  • Fire departments
  • Sheriff's offices
  • Emergency services

Geographic Focus

The foundation primarily serves the greater Bristol area (Virginia and Tennessee), Southwest Virginia, and the broader southern Appalachian region, with particular emphasis on Wise County and surrounding areas.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving pattern suggests limited support for:

  • Organizations outside Southwest Virginia/Southern Appalachia
  • National organizations without strong local presence
  • Religious organizations (not evident in recent grant history)

Governance and Leadership

Israel O'Quinn - President and Chief Executive Officer O'Quinn has emphasized the foundation's child-centered mission, stating: "What can we do with the resources we have to try to make that a reality so that all these kids are set up for success."

Claire Davis - Executive Director

Barbara J. Bjerke - Treasurer

Fay H. Street - Secretary

Board Members: The foundation is closely connected to the McGlothlin family, with family members serving in governance roles. James W. McGlothlin served as Chairman until his death in August 2025, and Frances G. McGlothlin continues to serve as a director.

Leadership Philosophy

James McGlothlin articulated the foundation's approach to philanthropy: "This is what this is about to give to charities that do such a good job at representing our community." His philosophy emphasized family and community over business interests, with a particular focus on creating opportunities for underserved children. About Mountain Mission School students, he said, "If you go there and see these kids, you immediately fall in love with them."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Community Grants: The United Company Foundation does not have a public application process for general community grants. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's trustees and board, with awards announced at the annual Christmas event held in December at The Olde Farm in Bristol.

Organizations that receive funding are typically:

  • Established nonprofits, schools, and public service organizations in the Bristol region and Southwest Virginia
  • Entities already known to the foundation through previous relationships
  • Organizations invited to the annual Christmas giving event

For Mountain Mission School Scholarships: A formal application process exists exclusively for graduates of Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Virginia:

  • Students must complete the foundation's scholarship application form
  • Required documents: official transcript, financial aid award letter, FAFSA Student Aid Report, official school invoice and class schedule
  • Spring semester applicants must also submit fall semester grades
  • Submit to: Rose Hurley, Mountain Mission School, 1760 Edgewater Drive, Grundy, VA 24614

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation identifies grant recipients through established relationships in the Southwest Virginia community. Specific strategies include:

Annual Christmas Event: The foundation hosts a Christmas Breakfast (also called Christmas Coffee) each December at The Olde Farm, where grants are announced. Invitations to this event indicate organizations are on the foundation's radar.

Mountain Mission School Connection: The foundation has deep ties to Mountain Mission School in Grundy. Organizations working with at-risk children or aligned with the school's mission may gain visibility.

Board and Company Connections: The United Company and its leadership are deeply embedded in the Bristol business community. Board members and company executives identify worthy causes through their community involvement.

Regional Visibility: Organizations with strong track records serving Southwest Virginia and demonstrable community impact are more likely to be considered. As Fire Chief Mike Armstrong noted when receiving funds, the foundation looks for organizations that "directly impact not just the community but the children in the community."

Decision Timeline

Community Grants: Decisions are made annually, with announcements occurring in December at the Christmas giving event. The internal review timeline is not publicly disclosed.

Scholarships: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with decisions communicated after the July 1 and December 1 deadlines.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. With 109 awards made in 2023, the foundation maintains active grantmaking, but the number of organizations seeking funding is unknown.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation's pattern of supporting recurring recipients at annual events suggests established grantees may receive ongoing support.

Application Success Factors

For Mountain Mission School Scholarships (Public Application Process)

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be enrolled at Mountain Mission School from grades 9-12
  • Demonstrate financial need by qualifying for a federal Pell Grant
  • Maintain minimum GPA of 2.75
  • Enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester
  • Complete application by deadline with all required documentation

What They Value:

  • Financial need demonstration through FAFSA
  • Academic standing (2.75 GPA minimum)
  • Commitment to higher education completion
  • Timely submission of required documentation

For Community Grants (No Public Application Process)

While there is no formal application process, analyzing the foundation's giving patterns reveals key success factors:

Geographic Connection: Organizations must serve Southwest Virginia, particularly the Bristol region and surrounding counties. The foundation's deep roots in this area are central to its identity.

Child-Focused Impact: Israel O'Quinn's statement that the foundation's "main focus" is "feeding, clothing and educating children and making sure they have the resources to grow up and be successful" indicates priority for youth-serving organizations.

Community Infrastructure: Recent grants to fire departments (Bristol Virginia Fire Department), healthcare facilities (Ballad Health Foundation, Healing Hands dental clinic), and educational institutions (Milligan University, East Tennessee State University, Virginia Highlands Community College) demonstrate preference for established community infrastructure.

Practical, Immediate Impact: Fire Chief Mike Armstrong's comment that donations help "buy equipment and things that will directly impact not just the community but the children in the community" suggests the foundation values tangible, immediate results over theoretical outcomes.

Alignment with Foundation Programs: Organizations addressing food insecurity, educational access, health services for the uninsured, and support for at-risk children align with the foundation's operational programs (soup kitchen, food-box program, Mountain Mission School scholarships).

Long-term Relationships: The foundation has supported the annual Christmas giving event for over 20 years, suggesting they value ongoing relationships with trusted partners rather than one-time grants to new organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: General community grants are awarded by invitation only through trustee discretion; focus on building relationships and regional visibility rather than preparing unsolicited proposals
  • Deep Regional Focus: The foundation serves Bristol and Southwest Virginia almost exclusively; organizations outside this region are unlikely to receive consideration
  • Child-Centered Mission: Projects serving children, particularly at-risk youth, educational programs, and services ensuring children's basic needs are met align most closely with stated priorities
  • Infrastructure and Equipment: Recent grants show preference for tangible needs like equipment, facilities, and operational support for established organizations
  • Annual December Timeline: Community grants are announced at the Christmas event each December; this timing suggests internal decisions occur in late fall
  • Mountain Mission School Pathway: For organizations serving at-risk youth, connection to or partnership with Mountain Mission School may provide visibility to the foundation
  • McGlothlin Family Legacy: Following James McGlothlin's passing in 2025, the foundation has committed to continuing his philanthropic priorities in perpetuity, suggesting stability in focus areas

References

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