The Robertson Family Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 54-2036566 · since 2002therobertsonfamilyfoundation.org·Durham, Henry County, Raleigh, Roanoke, Virginia·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$633k
Annual giving, 2023 tax year
From the Form 990-PF filing
$4,000 to $25,000
Grant range
From grants in the 990-PF filings
$10,000
Typical grant (median)
43 grants in the latest filing
Open to applications
Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

  • The Foundation's stated themes are health, education, well-being, food access, housing, employment and social connection, and it favours organisations that align with its mission and values, so a request should show how the work fits those areas.
  • Its stated geographic focus is the Roanoke Valley area of Virginia, greater Henry County area of Virginia, Smith Mountain Lake region of Virginia and the Special Needs Community of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and organisations seeking support for individuals, sport teams/events, or political candidates/organizations should not apply.
  • About 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $4,000 and $25,000, with a median of $10,000 and half of its grants at $10,000 or less, so a modest request in that typical range matches its usual pattern, though its largest grant was $75,000.
  • It accepts applications in spring and autumn cycles, so after reviewing the guidelines and eligibility criteria, send the completed application by email in good time for one of those cycles.
  • Since 79% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in an earlier filing, the directors' emphasis on sound financial planning and solid management practices is worth reflecting clearly in the application.

Overview

The Robertson Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Roanoke, 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 Robertson Family Foundation describes its aim as creating pathways to inclusive communities where all people are valued and empowered to thrive, especially individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older adults and people with limited means. It invests in health, education and well-being by supporting access to food, housing, employment and meaningful social connection. It supports organisations aligned with its mission and values, and invests in transformative change across select areas of Virginia and North Carolina.

Themes

  • Health
  • Education
  • Well-being
  • Food access
  • Housing
  • Employment
  • Social connection

Geographic Focus

Roanoke Valley area of Virginia; greater Henry County area of Virginia; Smith Mountain Lake region of Virginia; Special Needs Community of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Sport teams/events
  • Political candidates/organizations

How to apply

Applicants should review the guidelines and eligibility criteria, complete the grant application and submit it by email to the Foundation.

Deadlines: Application cycles take place in spring and autumn.

Application success factors

  • Repeat giving: In its TY2023 filing, 79% 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 100 grants to organisations were $10,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

  • The Foundation favours organisations that align with its mission and values.
  • The directors favour organisations with sound financial planning and solid management practices.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2023.

Grant dollars by state

Virginia79%
North Carolina12%
West Virginia8%
  • The largest single recipient received 9% of grant dollars to organisations.
  • In tax year 2023, 79% of grant dollars went to organisations The Robertson Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
  • No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
  • 8% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

43 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $10,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 43 grants in tax year 2023 by size

$2.5k–$5k7%
$5k–$10k21%
$10k–$25k58%
$25k–$50k7%
$50k–$100k7%

Median $10,000 (tax year 2023)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

  • Frankie Lemmon Foundation · Grade 1-2 expansion
    $63,0002023 tax year
  • Renewanation · General operating match - all programs
    $50,0002023 tax year
  • Eastlake Community Church · Football field lights
    $50,0002023 tax year
  • Agape Center · Facility support items
    $30,0002023 tax year
  • Carilion Foundation · Mental health services children
    $30,0002023 tax year
  • Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy · Scholarship program
    $25,0002023 tax year
  • Children's Assistive Technology · General operating support
    $20,0002023 tax year
  • Healing Strides of Virginia · Expansion of programs
    $20,0002023 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

  • Barry Robertson — Vice President
  • Elaine R Zopp — President
  • Lindsey A Coley — Secretary
  • Laura B Robertson — Director
  • Suzanne R Jones — Director
  • B J Robertson — Executive Director

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

2 years of tax filings

YearTotal expensesGrants paidAssetsFiling document
2022 tax year$1,035,967$712,352$14,320,504Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year$938,919$633,301$15,039,727Filing 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

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