The Rapha Foundation

The Rapha Foundation is a US private foundation based in Wise, VA.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Foundation makes grants to eligible not-for-profit organisations and local government entities for projects in its specified Virginia service area. It supports new and current programmes, and the establishment or investigation of new services, focused on population health and education. Its stated health interests include nutrition, obesity, dental care, mental health, health education and substance-abuse prevention; it also identifies clinical care quality and access, education of future generations, and quality of life. Local governments may seek capital, programme-specific and special-project funding, but not overhead or other administrative or operational costs. In selecting projects, it gives greatest priority to matching funds, collaborative service delivery, measurable outcomes, feasibility and sustainability, and avoiding duplicated services.

Themes

• Population health
• Education
• Clinical care
• Quality of life

Geographic Focus

City of Norton; Wise County; Dickenson County.

What They Don't Fund

• Projects unrelated to the Foundation’s mission, vision, or purpose
• Individuals
• Government entities for purposes that are identified as typical government financial responsibilities
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Endowments or other discretionary funding pools which are not related to population health or education initiatives
• Fund-raisers, or other ticketed special events
• Political purposes or for lobbying activities
• Debt reduction
• Supplanting other funds
• Fund applicant’s employment
• Feasibility studies or similar activities absent showing a bona fide need that such studies substantially advance projects that advance the Foundation’s charitable focus on population health and education
• Removal, replacement, repair, or installation of infrastructure, including, but not limited to, electricity, water, sewage, or broadband
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender, sexual orientat ion or disability
• Private foundations not related to healthcare or education
• Supporting organizations
• For-profit organizations
• State and federal governmental entities (in general)

The first stage is an Initial Assessment. If the project qualifies, the Executive Director provides the organisation with a formal Grant Application.

Deadlines: Applications are due by March 31 for the first grant round and September 30 for the second.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 67% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 139 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• Projects containing matching funds from other sources receive the greatest priority.
• The Foundation prioritises collaboration in service delivery with other not-for-profit organisations.
• Projects should have measurable outcomes and objective data that can be accurately measured.
• Applicants should provide evidence that their proposed project is feasible and sustainable.
• Projects should not duplicate services provided by another agency.
• The proposed project should be consistent with the Foundation’s mission.
• Applicants should clearly state the need to be addressed.
• Applicants should document their capacity and experience to develop and implement the project.
• The Foundation may request additional information or a site visit during review.
• Recipients may be required to provide periodic financial and project reports.