Mary Morton Parsons Foundation Grant

The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to supporting charitable organizations within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, the Foundation is named in honor of Mary Morton Parsons, who established it with the goal of providing meaningful financial support to qualified nonprofits that improve the welfare and quality of life for Virginians. The Foundation provides grants on a challenge or matching basis to incentivize broader fundraising efforts and support sustainable project development within eligible organizations. The Foundation supports organizations that are exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and are not classified as private foundations as per Section 509(a). Eligible applicants must either be located in the greater Richmond region or demonstrate a direct impact on the Commonwealth of Virginia. Priority is given to projects that are well-structured, financially viable, and poised to contribute significantly to community development and improvement. Construction-related projects are also considered, but the Foundation typically requires that construction be underway before funds are disbursed. Grants from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation typically cover no more than one-third of a project’s total cost. The awards are contingent upon the grantee meeting the match requirement and fulfilling all conditions outlined in the award letter within a 12-month period from the approval date. Failure to meet these obligations may result in the withdrawal of the grant. Moreover, the Foundation requires 100% giving participation from the applying organization’s board of directors as a condition for funding, reflecting its emphasis on organizational commitment and sustainability. The Foundation operates two funding cycles annually. For the spring cycle, a mandatory Contact Form must be submitted by February 28, and the complete application must be submitted by March 15. For the fall cycle, the Contact Form is due by August 29, and the full application must be submitted by September 15. Applicants are required to register and submit the Contact Form through the online portal, and must also engage in a conversation with the Executive Director prior to submission. If deadlines fall on a weekend or holiday, applications are accepted until 5:00 PM EST on the next business day. Foundation decisions are communicated in early June and early December for the respective cycles. A complete application includes a cover letter, the organization’s current governing board list with officers, IRS determination letter, project budget, operating budget, most recent audit, and the latest IRS 990 filing. Applicants must also provide information regarding their organization, project details, board and community demographics, a financial plan for the project, and any Seal of Transparency earned through Guidestar by Candid, if applicable. Applications must be submitted online, and applicants will receive confirmation by email once the application is successfully submitted. Applicants may seek support and guidance through the Foundation’s website. For further inquiries, individuals can contact the Foundation at (804) 802-1446 or by email at info@mmparsonsfoundation.org. The office is located at 8003 Franklin Farms Drive, Suite 111, Richmond, VA 23229.

Applicants must consult the Executive Director at least two weeks before deadline and ensure 100% board giving and project match commitment.