Massey Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,000,000+
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (rolling basis)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000 (typical range)
• Geographic Focus: Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky
• Total Assets: $74,176,195

Contact Details

Address: Massey Building, 5002 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230

Phone: (804) 648-1611

Contact Person: William E. Massey, Jr., President

Note: The foundation does not maintain a website

Overview

The Massey Family Foundation was established in 1957 by William E. Massey Sr. and Evan Massey, founders of the A.T. Massey Coal Company. Based in Richmond, Virginia, the foundation holds approximately $74 million in assets and distributes over $4 million annually in grants. Leadership has remained within the Massey family across multiple generations, with William E. Massey Jr. currently serving as President and E. Morgan Massey as Vice President. The foundation supports a broad range of charitable causes across education, healthcare (particularly cancer research), arts and culture, and human services, with a primary geographic focus on Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The family's philanthropic legacy is particularly evident in Richmond, where the Massey name is associated with transformational gifts to institutions such as VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a rolling basis with no formal deadlines or structured grant programs. Applications are accepted year-round via letter of request.

• Grant Range: Typically $5,000 - $100,000
• Large Grants: Some awards up to $1,000,000 have been made for major institutional projects
• Grant Volume: Approximately 74-75 grants awarded annually

Priority Areas

Education

• Secondary and higher education institutions
• College scholarships
• Community colleges
• Educational institutions in Virginia and West Virginia

Healthcare

• Cancer research and treatment (particularly VCU Massey Cancer Center)
• Hospital care and in-patient medical facilities
• Disease-specific research (including Parkinson's disease)
• Medical research initiatives

Arts and Culture

• Cultural programs and institutions
• Museums and botanical gardens

Human Services

• Job training programs
• Social service organizations
• Ministry and community outreach programs
• Industrial safety efforts

Geographic Focus: Primarily Virginia (Richmond, Henrico, Gloucester Point, Lexington, Charlottesville, Williamsburg), West Virginia, and Kentucky

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. Prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly to confirm eligibility.

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership

William E. Massey Jr. - President and Director

• Son of foundation founder William E. Massey Sr.
• Leads the foundation's strategic direction

E. Morgan Massey - Vice President

• Former president of A.T. Massey Coal Company (1972-2004)
• Grew the family coal business into the fourth largest coal enterprise in the United States
• Multiple generations of the Massey family continue to guide the foundation's work

Foundation History

The foundation was established in 1957 following the growth and success of the A.T. Massey Coal Company. William E. Massey Sr. (1909-1987), who served as CEO and chairman of the coal company before retiring in 1977, was a prominent Virginia businessman and philanthropist. His legacy continues through the foundation and institutions bearing the Massey name, including the William E. Massey Sr. Lectures in American Studies at Harvard University and VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, named following a transformational gift in 1983.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Massey Foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications year-round on a rolling basis.

Application Method: Submit a letter stating the reason for your request

Address To: William E. Massey, Jr. Massey Building 5002 Monument Avenue Richmond, VA 23230

Requirements:

• Must be a qualifying charitable organization
• No formal application forms required
• No submission deadlines

Contact: (804) 648-1611 for general questions

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish specific decision timelines. As applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, decision timeframes may vary depending on the volume of requests and board meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The foundation awards approximately 74-75 grants annually from its review of submitted applications.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a formal reapplication policy. Organizations whose initial requests are unsuccessful may wish to contact the foundation to discuss future opportunities.

Application Success Factors

While the Massey Foundation does not publish detailed grant guidelines or application tips, research into their funding patterns reveals the following:

Demonstrated Local Impact: Past grantees include well-established local organizations such as Cross Over Ministry, J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, suggesting a preference for organizations with proven track records in the Richmond area and broader Virginia region.

Alignment with Family Legacy: The foundation has maintained long-term relationships with certain institutions, particularly in cancer research and higher education. Organizations that align with the Massey family's historical philanthropic interests may have stronger prospects.

Clear, Concise Communication: Since the application process requires only a letter stating the reason for the request, successful applicants should be able to articulate their need and impact concisely and compellingly.

Geographic Connection: Local communities receiving recent grants include Richmond, Henrico, Gloucester Point, and Lexington in Virginia, as well as communities in West Virginia and Kentucky where the Massey family has historical business connections.

Institutional vs. Individual Support: The foundation appears to focus on supporting established institutions and programs rather than individual grants or scholarships, with emphasis on organizations serving broader community needs.

Long-term Relationships: Major beneficiaries like VCU Massey Cancer Center have received sustained support over decades, suggesting the foundation values ongoing partnerships with institutions that demonstrate sustained impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Keep it simple: The foundation's streamlined letter-based application process suggests they value clarity and conciseness over lengthy proposals
• Geographic alignment matters: Focus on Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky connections; Richmond-area organizations appear particularly well-represented
• Leverage institutional relationships: The foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to key institutions over decades, particularly in cancer research and higher education
• No deadlines means plan ahead: Rolling applications allow flexibility in timing, but also mean competition is ongoing throughout the year
• Direct contact welcomed: With no website and a phone number provided, the foundation appears open to direct communication with prospective applicants
• Range of grant sizes: While typical grants range $5,000-$100,000, transformational gifts in the million-dollar range have been made for major institutional initiatives
• Family foundation characteristics: Understanding the Massey family's legacy in coal, business, and Virginia philanthropy may help position requests that resonate with their values and interests

References

• Instrumentl 990 Report for Massey Foundation (https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/massey-foundation)
• Foundation Directory, Candid (https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=MASS003)
• Inside Philanthropy: Massey Foundation profile (https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/virginia-and-west-virginia-grants/massey-foundation)
• Grantmakers.io: Massey Family Foundation profile (https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/546049049-massey-family-foundation/)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/546049049)
• VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center: Massey 50th Anniversary Golden Gala (https://www.masseycancercenter.org/news/massey-50th-anniversary-golden-gala-celebrates-fifty-years-of-lighting-the-path-toward-a-brighter-future/)
• Style Weekly: Massey's Tragic Legacy (https://www.styleweekly.com/masseys-tragic-legacy/)
• Virginia Institute of Marine Science: Massey Foundation $1 million contribution (https://www.vims.edu/newsandevents/topstories/archives/2005/massey_gift.php)

Information accessed January 2026