FundersVirginia

Carmax Foundation

Richmond, VA · EIN 38-3681796. Reported 188 grants totalling $28.4M to 152 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$10,000median grant
$28.4Mgranted, 2021-2024
152organizations funded
20%of grantees funded again the next year
$6,642,085assets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Carmax Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $25,000; the smallest was $5 and the largest $4,858,966. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
8 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
36 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
28 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
58 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
30 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
9 grants
$100,000 and Up
19 grants

Every organization it funded

This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
American Online Giving FoundationNewark, DE$11.9M332024
Charities Aid Foundation AmericaAlexandria, VA$5,629,328622022
KaboomWashington, DC$5,346,316442024
Points of LightAtlanta, GA$2,622,000332024
Project HelpingAurora, CO$497,666332023
Feeding AmericaChicago, IL$150,000112021
Peter Paul Development CenterRichmond, VA$110,000222022
Communities in Schools of Richmond IncRichmond, VA$100,000222022
Richmond Public Schools Education FRichmond, VA$85,000112021
Cybergrants Spv LLCAndover, MA$83,657512021
Feed More IncRichmond, VA$70,000222022
Partnership for the FutureGlen Allen, VA$60,000222022
Blue Sky FundRichmond, VA$50,000222022
Comfort Zone Camp IncRichmond, VA$50,000222022
Elk Hill Farm IncGoochland, VA$50,000222022
Emergency Assistance FoundationWest Palm Beach, FL$50,000112024
Junior Achievement of GeorgiaAtlanta, GA$50,000112022
Junior Achievement of Georgia DiscoAtlanta, GA$50,000112021
Side By Side Va IncRichmond, VA$50,000222022
The Mission ContinuesSaint Louis, MO$50,000112024
Happy Hope FoundationPocasset, MA$45,000332024
Greater Richmond FIT4KIDSRichmond, VA$40,000322022
The Children's Haven IncCanton, GA$35,000112021
GoochlandcaresGoochland, VA$30,000222022
Henrico Education Foundation IncHenrico, VA$30,000222024
Junior Achievement of Central VirgiRichmond, VA$30,000112021
YWCA RichmondRichmond, VA$30,000222022
Ask Childhood Cancer FoundationRichmond, VA$25,000112021
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro RichmonRichmond, VA$25,000112021
Communities in Schools of ChesterfiChesterfield, VA$25,000112021
Communities in Schools of ChesterfieldChesterfield, VA$25,000112022
Emergency Shelter IncRichmond, VA$25,000112022
Friends Association for ChildrenRichmond, VA$25,000222022
Greater Richmond Aquatics PartnershipRichmond, VA$25,000112022
Greater Richmond Scan (stop Child aRichmond, VA$25,000112021
Greater Richmond Scan (stop Child Abuse Now) IncRichmond, VA$25,000112022
Higher Achievement Program IncRichmond, VA$25,000112021
Operation Homefront IncSan Antonio, TX$25,000112021
The Community Builders IncRichmond, VA$25,000112022
Young Men's Christian Association ORichmond, VA$25,000112021
Young Men's Christian Association of Greater RichmondRichmond, VA$25,000112022
Foster Love (together We Rise)Brea, CA$20,000112024
Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield County Va IncMidlothian, VA$20,000112022
Virginia Repertory TheatreRichmond, VA$20,000112022
River City Inclusive Gymnastics IncGlen Allen, VA$18,000112022
Children's Resource Fund IncMiami, FL$17,500222022
Autism Society Central Virginia Chapter IncRichmond, VA$15,000112022
Chesterfield Public Education FoundMidlothian, VA$15,000112021
Children's Hospital Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA$15,000112021
Goochland Education FoundationGoochland, VA$15,000112024
Goochland Educational FoundationGoochland, VA$15,000112021
Safepath Children's Advocacy CenterMarietta, GA$15,000112021
Virginia Home for Boys and GirlsHenrico, VA$15,000112021
Enrichmond FoundationRichmond, VA$13,000112021
American National Red CrossWashington, DC$11,000222022
Henrico Police Athetic LeagueHenrico, VA$11,000112021
Lift IncWashington, DC$10,085112021
Academy of Accelerated IncHouston, TX$10,000112021
Alsacst Jude Childrens Research HospitalMemphis, TN$10,000112022
Amazon Conservation AssociationWashington, DC$10,000112022
Better Housing CoalitionRichmond, VA$10,000112022
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro RichmondRichmond, VA$10,000112022
Camp Twin Lakes IncAtlanta, GA$10,000112021
Children's Home Society of VirginiaRichmond, VA$10,000112021
Communities in Schools of Georgia IMarietta, GA$10,000112021
Davis Direction Foundation IncMarietta, GA$10,000112021
Disabled American Veterans CharitabErlanger, KY$10,000112021
Encompass MinistriesWoodstock, GA$10,000112021
End Slavery TennesseeNashville, TN$10,000112021
Franklin ElementaryOakland, CA$10,000112022
Helping Hands of BurbankBurbank, IL$10,000112021
Laamistad IncAtlanta, GA$10,000112021
Must MinistriesMarietta, GA$10,000112021
Northern California Special Olympics IncModesto, CA$10,000112022
Operation Gratitude IncEncino, CA$10,000112021
Peaceful Paths IncGainesville, FL$10,000112021
Plm Families TogetherRaleigh, NC$10,000112022
Premier Academy IncAtlanta, GA$10,000112021
Riverworks Development CorporationMilwaukee, WI$10,000112021
School of the Performing Arts in ThRichmond, VA$10,000112021
School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond CommunityRichmond, VA$10,000112022
Special Olympics Ga - Cherokee CounNorcross, GA$10,000112021
Special Olympics New YorkAlbany, NY$10,000112021
Star-CMarietta, GA$10,000112022
STEM Atlanta Women IncAtlanta, GA$10,000112021
The Giving Kitchen Initiative IncAtlanta, GA$10,000112021
We Love Buford Highway IncRoswell, GA$10,000112021
Fort Worth Independent School DistrFort Worth, TX$9,000112021
Kynd FoundationKailua, HI$8,500112022
Columbus Early Learning CentersColumbus, OH$8,000112021
Lemay Child & Family CenterSaint Louis, MO$8,000112021
Hoops and Homework IncFramingham, MA$7,500112021
Hannas HouseCommerce, CA$7,000112021
Junior Achievement of Central Virginia IncRichmond, VA$7,000112022
Nextup RvaRichmond, VA$6,000112024
Aplastic Anemia & Mds International Foundation IncBethesda, MD$5,000112022
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas IncSan Antonio, TX$5,000112022
Crescent CoveBrooklyn Ctr, MN$5,000112022
FeedthestreetsrvaRichmond, VA$5,000112021
Hands on Hartford IncHartford, CT$5,000112022
Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority YJacksonville, FL$5,000112021
Maximum Impact Love IncAtlanta, GA$5,000112022
National Public Radio IncWashington, DC$5,000112021
National Veterans FoundationLos Angeles, CA$5,000112024
Now I Lay Me Down to SleepLittleton, CO$5,000112022
Richmond Parade IncRichmond, VA$5,000112022
Soleana StablesPearland, TX$5,000112021
The 100 Mile Club IncNorco, CA$5,000112022
Trinity Rescue IncorporatedRome, GA$5,000112021
Virginia Supportive HousingRichmond, VA$5,000112022
Los Angeles Regional Food BankLos Angeles, CA$3,000112021
Survive and Thrive EducationFort Worth, TX$3,000112022
5 Distinguished Pearls Foundation IMilwaukee, WI$2,500112021
Bears Tomorrow IncIndependence, MO$2,500112022
Bristol Virginia Public Schools Education FoundationBristol, VA$2,500112022
Maiden Rescue Squad IncMaiden, NC$2,500112022
Oregon Food Bank IncPortland, OR$2,500112021
Project Impact MsJackson, MS$2,500112021
The Empowerment CenterTemecula, CA$2,500112021
Tulsa Dream Center IncTulsa, OK$2,500112021
Barbara J Dreyer Cares Foundation IncChevy Chase, MD$2,000112022
American Cancer SocietyDenver, CO$1,000112021
American Cancer Society IncNew York, NY$1,000112021
Black Girls Run FoundationRichmond, VA$1,000112022
Boys & Girls Club of the Grand StraMyrtle Beach, SC$1,000112021
Carmax Associate Disaster Relief Fund Co Emergency Assistance Foundation inOrlando, FL$1,000112022
Denton Animal Support Foundation IncDenton, TX$1,000112022
East Side Riders Bike ClubLos Angeles, CA$1,000112022
Epilepsy Society of Kern County IncBakersfield, CA$1,000112022
Exchange Club of Culver City CharitCulver City, CA$1,000112021
Franklin Food Pantry IncorporatedFranklin, MA$1,000112021
Harrison High School Soccer Booster ClubKennesaw, GA$1,000112022
Hope for Grieving FamiliesArlington, VA$1,000112021
Leadership Metro RichmondRichmond, VA$1,000112021
Live N Learn Foundation IncCincinnati, OH$1,000112022
My Sisters House IncN Charleston, SC$1,000112021
Peachtree Ridge High SchoolSuwanee, GA$1,000112022
Red Creek Wildlife Center IncSchuykl Havn, PA$1,000112022
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New YorkLatham, NY$1,000112022
St Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphis, TN$1,000112022
St Judes Ranch for Children IncBoulder City, NV$1,000112021
United States Fund for UnicefNew York, NY$1,000112022
Worcester Railers Hc Charitable Foundation IncBeverly, MA$1,000112022
Young Mens Christian Association ofKnoxville, TN$1,000112021
Kraft Family Foundation IncFoxborough, MA$500112022
Veterans of Foreign War of the US Dept of Va 2894 ChesapeakeChesapeake, VA$500112022
Vietnam Veterans of America IncKnoxville, TN$500112022
Duncah a & Sophie L Anderson Fbo Shriners Hospital & Whitworth CollDallas, TX$52112022
Edna B Cole Tr Fbo St Judes Children HospitalLas Vegas, NV$50112022
Indigenous Women RisingAlbuquerque, NM$50112022
Ukrainian American VeteransAllentown, PA$50112022
4 Life Mental and Wellness Health Community Outreach ServicesLas Vegas, NV$5112022

21 of 152 (14%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 20%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 123 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Human Services
32 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
23 grants
Recreation & Sports
12 grants
Youth Development
10 grants
Education
8 grants
Food & Nutrition
6 grants
Community Improvement
4 grants
Mental Health
3 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202196$7,001,326$10,000
202276$7,465,717$10,000
20235$7,234,486$1,030,000
202411$6,678,283$20,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Already committed for future years

Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Carmax Foundation has 2 of them, worth $4,101,650. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.

OrganizationLocationApproved
KaboomWashington, DC$3,338,650
KaboomWashington, DC$763,000

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 42% of this one's giving went to organizations in Delaware. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Delaware
$11.9M
Virginia
$7.0M
District of Columbia
$5.4M
Georgia
$2.9M
Colorado
$504K
Illinois
$160K
Massachusetts
$139K
California
$90K

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

American Online Giving Foundation Inc66 shared recipientsFidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund65 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc46 shared recipientsThe Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc43 shared recipientsCharities Aid Foundation America42 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program39 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Delaware.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Carmax Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 12800 Tuckahoe Creek Pkwy Na, Richmond, VA, 23238. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 38-3681796 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.