The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation funds capital projects for non-profit organisations across the Commonwealth of Virginia, with priority given to qualifying organisations in the Richmond area.
- Most grants run from $50,000 to $500,000, though half of its grants are $40,000 or less, so a modest request often fits well; grants are usually made on a challenge or matching basis, with the foundation typically contributing no more than one-third of a project's cost and the organisation's full board expected to contribute.
- The approach begins with a Contact Form and a discussion of the project with the Executive Director, and only organisations invited to continue may submit the full application through the online process, so this is a relationship-led process rather than a simple open call.
- There are two fixed annual cycles: Contact Forms by February 26 and applications by March 15 for the spring cycle, or Contact Forms by August 28 and applications by September 15 for the fall cycle, so timing an approach around these dates matters.
- Note the foundation's exclusions: it does not fund individuals, public sector agencies (state and local government majority-supported entities, with limited exceptions such as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Science Museum of Virginia), endowment funds, research, general operating or administrative expenses, or churches and religious programs without a secular or community service focus (except for historic preservation); organisations that received a grant payment in the last five years, or submitted an unsuccessful application within the last 12 months, may not apply.
Overview
The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation is a US private foundation based in Richmond, VA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation provides financial support principally for capital projects for non-profit organisations in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its focus areas are arts and culture, civic and community needs, education, environment and conservation, historic preservation, and social services and welfare. Through these areas, it supports cultural institutions, neighbourhood and community development, education infrastructure, conservation and environmental organisations, historic sites, and non-profits addressing human needs. Grants are normally made on a challenge or matching basis, and qualifying organisations in the Richmond area receive priority. The Foundation supports organisations serving people of all ages, socio-economic statuses and backgrounds.
Themes
- Arts & Culture
- Civic & Community Needs
- Education
- Environment & Conservation
- Historic Preservation
- Social Services & Welfare
Geographic Focus
The Commonwealth of Virginia. Priority: The Richmond area.
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals
- Public sector agencies. State and local government majority-supported entities are not eligible for Foundation support; however, exceptions may be made for a limited number of institutions. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Science Museum of Virginia fall into this category
- Endowment funds (including scholarship funds, debt reduction, or funding of deficits)
- Research
- General operating expenses associated with ongoing programs or activities or other general administrative expenses
- Churches or religious programs without a secular or community service focus; except for historic preservation
- Local chapters of national associations and societies, mass mailings, and umbrella organizations
- Not classified as a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a)
- Not have received a grant payment from our foundation in the last five years
- Not have submitted an unsuccessful application to our foundation within the last 12 months
How to apply
Organisations submit a Contact Form and discuss the proposed capital project with the Executive Director. Only organisations invited to continue receive access to the full application, submitted through the foundation’s online application process in its spring and fall cycles.
Deadlines:
- Spring-cycle Contact Forms are due by February 26 and applications by March 15.
- Fall-cycle Contact Forms are due by August 28 and applications by September 15.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2023 filing, 13% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022 and TY2023 filings, half of its 148 grants to organisations were $40,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- Grants are normally made on a challenge or matching basis.
- The foundation typically contributes no more than one-third of a project’s cost.
- The organisation’s full board is expected to contribute to it.
- For construction grants, commencement of construction may be required before funding.
- Grantees are asked to report on project, budgetary and timeline outcomes.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2023.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 5% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2023, 13% of grant dollars went to organisations The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 76 grants in tax year 2023 by size
Median $47,500 (tax year 2023)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden · Support "thrive capital campaign"$750,0002023 tax year
- Science Museum of Virginia · Support campaign fro the green, year-round public park$510,0002023 tax year
- Project Homes · Support the bermuda estates mobile home park project$400,0002023 tax year
- Richmond SPCA · Support capital improvements to the shelter$335,0002023 tax year
- Blessed Sacrament Huguenot School · Support the knight's charge capital campaign to build a new student center$300,0002023 tax year
- Preservation Virginia · Support capital needs for proactive maintenance and visitor service improvements$300,0002023 tax year
- Chrysler Museum · Support creation of the center for advanced education in glass arts and sciences at the perry glass studio$300,0002023 tax year
- Washington and Lee University · Support the construction of the new lindley center for student wellness$300,0002023 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Edward W Valentine — Director
- Mrs Amy P Nisenson — Executive Director
- Mrs Palmer P Garson — Treasurer
- Charles F Witthoefft Esq — Vice President / Secretary
- Thurston R Moore Esq — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
2 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $8,114,486 | $7,184,000 | $117,530,431 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $8,074,695 | $7,127,054 | $131,901,277 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (804) 780-2000
- jforsythe@mmparsonsfoundation.org
- info@mmparsonsfoundation.org
- Richmond, VA
- mmparsonsfoundation.org
Applying to The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (804) 780-2000
- jforsythe@mmparsonsfoundation.org
- info@mmparsonsfoundation.org
- Richmond, VA
- mmparsonsfoundation.org