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Herndon Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.6M
000

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,635,000 (2024)
  • Number of Awards: 138 (2024)
  • Average Grant: ~$40,000
  • Geographic Focus: Richmond metro area (Virginia statewide eligible)
  • Application Window: August 1-31 annually

Contact Details

Address: 9030 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 505, Richmond, VA 23235

Phone: (804) 560-4119 (voicemail)

Email: info@herndonfdn.org

Website: https://herndonfdn.org/

Overview

Established in 1965 by Floyd D. Gottwald Jr. and Elisabeth S. Gottwald, the Herndon Foundation supports educational, cultural, and human service organizations primarily benefiting the Greater Richmond community. In 2013, the Foundation received additional assets from the Gottwald Foundation (created by Floyd's parents, Floyd and Anne Gottwald) and refined its mission to create more specific grant priorities to guide current and future trustees. With annual giving of approximately $5.6 million distributed across 138 awards in 2024, the Foundation maintains a focused approach to supporting organizations that demonstrate measurable impact. Notable grants include a $4 million gift to the Science Museum of Virginia in 2014 (the museum's largest private gift at that time) to support the Dewey Gottwald Center, named in honor of Floyd D. Gottwald Sr.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation operates one annual funding cycle with applications accepted through their online portal from August 1-31 each year. Grant requests can include:

  • Program Support (preferred): For specific initiatives where grant dollars will make a substantial difference
  • General Operating Support: For organizational sustainability
  • Limited Endowment Requests: Considered on a case-by-case basis

The Foundation gives preference to programmatic support when organizations can demonstrate measurable results and substantial impact.

Priority Areas

Education

  • Strategies influencing students' long-term educational advancement and career preparation
  • Early childhood education and school readiness
  • Expanded learning opportunities outside of school
  • STEM programs supporting teachers and/or students

Health & Human Services

  • Ensuring basic human needs are met for vulnerable citizens
  • Food security and hunger relief
  • Shelter and housing support
  • Healthcare access

Historic Preservation & Cultural Experiences

  • Access to natural resources
  • Environmental education, preservation, and restoration
  • Visual and performing arts
  • Museums and cultural institutions
  • Cultural heritage preservation

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation states that qualified nonprofit organizations throughout Virginia are eligible; however, major preference is given to agencies in the Richmond metropolitan region. Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed on their website.

Governance and Leadership

The Herndon Foundation was founded by Floyd D. Gottwald Jr. and Elisabeth S. Gottwald in 1965. Floyd D. Gottwald Sr. was the Gottwald family patriarch and chairman of Ethyl Corporation. The Foundation reflects the broad charitable interests of its founders, supporting local Richmond causes and institutions.

Specific current board member information is not publicly available on the Foundation's website but can be found in their Form 990-PF tax filings filed with the IRS.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation accepts applications exclusively through their website during the annual funding cycle (August 1-31). Grant requests submitted via the online portal are given priority status.

Required Application Information:

  • General contact information for the organization
  • Confirmation of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (not private foundations under section 509(a))
  • Brief description of the organization, including mission and history
  • Specific grant request details:
    • Amount requested
    • Project description
    • Intended use of funds
    • Measurable results expected
  • Current operating budget

Eligibility: Qualified nonprofit organizations throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible for support; however, major preference is given to agencies in the Richmond metropolitan region.

Decision Timeline

The Foundation operates one funding cycle per year with applications due August 31. Specific decision timelines and notification methods are not publicly detailed on their website. For timeline information, applicants should contact the Foundation at info@herndonfdn.org or (804) 560-4119.

Success Rates

With 138 awards made in 2024 from $5,635,000 in total giving, the Foundation maintains consistent grantmaking. Historical data shows:

  • 2024: 138 awards
  • 2023: 148 awards
  • 2022: 132 awards

Specific application numbers and success percentages are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly detailed on their website. Organizations should contact the Foundation directly at info@herndonfdn.org for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Substantial Impact: The Foundation explicitly prefers programmatic support "when the organization can demonstrate grant dollars will make a substantial difference." Applications should clearly articulate how funding will create measurable, meaningful change.

Focus on Metro Richmond: While Virginia statewide nonprofits are eligible, the Foundation gives "major preference" to agencies in the Richmond metropolitan region. Organizations should clearly explain their connection to and impact on the Greater Richmond community.

Provide Measurable Results: The Foundation expects "measurable results and timely reporting." Applications should include specific metrics and evaluation plans demonstrating how success will be measured and reported.

Align with Priority Areas: Strong applications align closely with at least one of the Foundation's three focus areas (Education, Health & Human Services, or Historic Preservation & Cultural Experiences) and reference the specific strategies mentioned in their funding priorities.

Use Online Portal: Grant requests submitted via the website link during the application window receive "priority status," indicating the importance of using their official application system.

Strategic Program Focus: The Foundation refined its mission in 2013 to create more specific grant priorities, suggesting they value strategic alignment over broad charitable support. Applications should demonstrate alignment with their clearly defined focus areas rather than general community benefit.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply during the August 1-31 window via the online portal to receive priority status—this is the only annual opportunity
  • Average grant size is approximately $40,000, based on 138 awards totaling $5.6 million in 2024, though individual grants vary
  • Richmond metro area organizations have significant advantage given the Foundation's stated preference for local agencies
  • Programmatic support is strongly preferred over general operating or endowment requests—show how specific dollars will create specific impact
  • Measurable results are non-negotiable—build clear evaluation metrics into your proposal from the start
  • Historic major gifts (like the $4 million to Science Museum of Virginia) suggest the Foundation can make substantial awards for significant capital or programmatic initiatives
  • Contact the Foundation directly at info@herndonfdn.org with questions about timelines, reapplication policies, or application guidance

References

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