FundersVirginia

The Barr Foundation

Chesapeake, VA · EIN 31-1518708. Reported 400 grants totalling $687,706 to 161 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$500median grant
$687,706granted, 2021-2024
161organizations funded
79%of grantees funded again the next year
$5,715,037assets, 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. The Barr 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 $500. Half of everything it gave fell between $250 and $1,000; the smallest was $18 and the largest $80,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
274 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
108 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
8 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
4 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
3 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
3 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
Breast Cancer Research FoundationNew York, NY$217,500442024
University of Virginia - Fralin MuseumCharlottesville, VA$90,100332024
Virginia Arts FestivalNorfolk, VA$48,150442024
WhroNorfolk, VA$16,250442024
Chrysler MuseumNorfolk, VA$16,000442024
Jewish Museum Contemporary Arts CouncilNew York, NY$16,000332023
Planned ParenthoodNew York, NY$13,300442024
American Cancer AssociationAtlanta, GA$9,900332024
Ukrainian Humanity CenterCarnation, WA$8,875332024
Hopewell FundWashington, DC$8,300332023
Virginia SymphonyNorfolk, VA$8,150442024
Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH$7,997442024
Beth ElNorfolk, VA$7,231442024
Horizon Hampton RoadsNorfolk, VA$6,500442024
Virginia Stage CompanyNorfolk, VA$6,000442024
EvmsNorfolk, VA$5,350222022
Metropolitan MuseumNew York, NY$5,300332024
Planned Parenthood of Southeast VirginiaVirginia Beach, VA$5,250332023
For KidsNorfolk, VA$4,850442024
Sarah Lawrence CollegeBronxville, NY$4,800442024
Norfolk AcademyNorfolk, VA$4,650442024
Brown Ledge FoundationBurlington, VT$4,500222022
Virginia Holocaust MuseumRichmond, VA$4,260442024
Fashion Institute MuseumNew York, NY$4,000442024
North Carolina Public TelevisionDurham, NC$4,000442024
Ohef Sholom TempleNorfolk, VA$4,000442024
Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA$4,000442024
World Monument FundNew York, NY$4,000442024
Equal Justice InitiativeMontgomery, AL$3,800442024
Hermitage MuseumNorfolk, VA$3,500442024
Food Bank of Hampton RoadsNorfolk, VA$3,300222023
Rosenwald Park Campaign National Parks Conservation AssociationWashington, DC$3,225442024
United States Holocaust Memorial MuseumWashington, DC$3,220442024
American Foundation for Suicide PreventionMidlothian, VA$3,000332023
American Lung AssociationWashington, DC$3,000332024
Chesapeake Bay FoundationAnnapolis, MD$3,000442024
Hopewell Fundgalvanize USAWashington, DC$3,000112024
Natural Trust for Historical PreservationWashington, DC$3,000332023
Virginia Wesleyan College LibraryNorfolk, VA$2,900112021
Center for Jewish Studies at Fordham UniversityNew York, NY$2,800332024
Planned Parenthood of Se VirginiaVirginia Beach, VA$2,700112024
Cleveland ClinicCleveland, OH$2,660442024
Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News, VA$2,500332024
North Carolina Museum of ArtRaleigh, NC$2,500442024
Temple Israel MemphisMemphis, TN$2,500112021
Natural Resources Defense CouncilNew York, NY$2,450442024
Alvin Alley Dance FoundationNew York, NY$2,350332023
NAACP Legal Defense FundWashington, DC$2,350442024
Virginia Beach Contemporary Arts CenterVirginia Beach, VA$2,325442024
Tidewater Community College Women's CenterNorfolk, VA$2,200332023
National Network of Abortion FundsAustin, TX$2,050442024
Environmental Defense FundNew York, NY$2,025442024
Breman MuseumAtlanta, GA$2,000222022
Friends of Israel Defense ForcesNew York, NY$2,000222024
Virginia Foundation for the HumanitiesCharlottesville, VA$2,000442024
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew York, NY$1,900442024
Brigid AllianceNew York, NY$1,865442024
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater - Holocaust CommissionVirginia Beach, VA$1,800112021
Mothers Out FrontBoston, MA$1,750442024
Palestinian Children ReliefLos Angeles, CA$1,750112024
Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education CenterMaitland, FL$1,720222023
YWCANorfolk, VA$1,700442024
Children's Defense FundWashington, DC$1,600442024
Trans Youth Equality FoundationOrono, ME$1,558222023
Southern Poverty Law CenterMontgomery, AL$1,550442024
National Museum of African American History and CultureWashinton, DC$1,450442024
Joyce TheatreNew York, NY$1,400442024
Solar Village ProjectBowie, MD$1,350442024
John Hopkins Center for American Indian HealthBaltimore, MD$1,300442024
The Doe FundNew York, NY$1,254442024
Citizens of Responsible Ethics in WashingtonWashinton, DC$1,250332023
FincaWashington, DC$1,250442024
Virginia Center for Inclusive CommunitiesRichmond, VA$1,250442024
American Jewish World ServiceNew York, NY$1,210442024
Jed FoundationNew York, NY$1,150442024
Sousa Mendes FoundationGreenlawn, NY$1,150442024
Center for Science in the Public InterestWashington, DC$1,125442024
Childrens Hospital of the King's DaughterNorfolk, VA$1,100442024
Frick CollectionNew York, NY$1,100222024
Access College FoundationNorfolk, VA$1,000112021
Alvin Ailey Dance FoundationNew York, NY$1,000112024
Americans Near East Refugee AidWashington, DC$1,000112023
Congregation Emanu-ElNew York, NY$1,000112021
Holocast Memorial Resource & Education CenterMaitland, FL$1,000112021
Israel Museum JerusalemJerusalem$1,000112021
Natural Trust for Historic PreservationWashington, DC$1,000112024
Ronald Mcdonald HouseNorfolk, VA$1,000442024
Sir John Soane Museum FoundationNew York, NY$1,000442024
The Trevor ProjectWest Hollywood, CA$1,000112021
Women for Women InternationalWashington, DC$930222024
Obama FoundationChicago, IL$838332024
American Red CrossWashington, DC$800112022
Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun ViolenceSan Francisco, CA$800112022
Park Avenue ArmoryNew York, NY$800442024
Scouts USAIrving, TX$800112022
Christopher and Dana Reeve FoundationShort Hills, NJ$750442024
Norfolk Botanical GardenNorfolk, VA$750442024
Tidewater Community College Women's SoccerNorfolk, VA$750112024
Jewish Family Service of TidewaterVirginia Beach, VA$720222022
Cancer Care Foundation of TidewaterNorfolk, VA$700442024
Transgender Law CenterLos Angeles, CA$700112022
Young Audiences of VirginiaNorfolk, VA$700332024
The Story of StuffBerkeley, CA$670442024
Friends of Norfolk Public LibraryNorfolk, VA$650332023
National Parkinson FoundationMiami, DC$650222023
Save the Children FoundationFairfield, CT$650112023
Yellow Hammer FundTuscaloosa, AL$625222022
Beth Sholom HomeVirginia Beach, VA$600442024
Compassion and ChoicesPortland, OR$600332024
Dance Theatre of HarlemNew York, NY$600112024
Grow NycNew York, NY$600112024
Museum of Modern ArtNew York, NY$600112024
American Red CrossNorfolk, VA$550112024
Palestine Legal FundChicago, IL$550112024
HadassahNew York, NY$540222024
HiasWashington, DC$540222024
Alzheimer's AssociationChicago, IL$500112024
American Friend of Magen David AdomNew York, NY$500112023
American Friend of Yahad-in-UnumNew York, NY$500222022
Care for Me Youth InitiativesVirginia Beach, VA$500112022
Citizens for Responsible Ethics in WashingtonWashinton, DC$500112024
Doctors Without BordersNew York, NY$500112023
Duke UniversityDurham, NC$500112024
Junior League of NorfolkVirginia Beach, VA$500222024
Museum of Jewish HeritageNew York, NY$500222024
National Voting Rights MuseumSelma, AL$500112022
Palestine Children ReliefLos Angeles, CA$500112023
RougePlymouth, MA$500222024
University of Pennsylvania Parents FundPhiladelphia, PA$500442024
University of Virginia - Miller CenterCharlottesville, VA$500222022
Youth Sentencing and Reentry ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$500222022
American's Second HarvestChicago, IL$450222022
Access Reproductive Care SoutheastAtlanta, GA$375112021
Janes Due ProcessAustin, TX$375112021
New Orleans Abortion FundNew Orleans, LA$375112021
Classrooms Without BordersPittsburgh, PA$360222024
3GNY Holocaust EducationNew York, NY$280222024
America's Second Harvestfeeding AmericaChicago, IL$250112024
Friends of Norfolk LibraryNorfolk, VA$250112024
Miller CenterCharlottesville, VA$250112024
National Museum of the American IndianWashington, DC$250112021
The Chas FoundationNorfolk, VA$206112024
Faith Crusade MinistriesMontgomery, AL$200222023
Sixteenth Street Baptist ChurchBirminham, AL$200112022
Jewish National FundNew York, NY$180112021
Jewish Theological Seminary of AmericaNew York, NY$180112022
Save Darfur Coalitionunited to End GenocideWashington, DC$180112021
Simon Wiesenthal CenterLos Angeles, CA$180112022
Holocaust Memorial Miami BeachMiami, FL$118112022
Brennan Center for JusticeNew York, NY$100112024
Educators Institute for Human RightsWashinton, DC$100112021
Embrace RaceAmherst, MA$100112021
National Parkinson FoundationMiami, FL$100112024
Seton Youth ServicesVirginia Beach, VA$100112024
Todd Rosenlieb CenterNorfolk, VA$100112022
Virginia AquariumVirginia Beach, VA$100112022
The ProutyLebanon, NH$88112024
Hillel InternationalCharlottesville, VA$75112024
Move CDKL5 ForwardWadsworth, OH$53112024
National Children's HospitalWashinton, DC$50112023
Jewish Community SynagogueNorth Palm Beach, FL$18112022

102 of 161 (63%) 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 79%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is unusually consistent. 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 181 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Arts & Culture
41 grants
Environment
23 grants
Civil Rights
23 grants
International Affairs
18 grants
Human Services
12 grants
Education
11 grants
Housing & Shelter
8 grants
Religion
7 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202197$210,400$500
2022104$172,712$550
202396$165,025$500
2024103$139,569$500

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.

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 43% of this one's giving went to organizations in New York. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

New York
$296K
Virginia
$271K
District of Columbia
$39K
Georgia
$12K
Washington
$9K
New Hampshire
$8K
North Carolina
$7K
Alabama
$7K

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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.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund49 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc48 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc45 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program40 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust36 shared recipientsAmerican Endowment Foundation32 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $500. 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 New York.
  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.

Related guides

Foundations funding arts & culture in New YorkEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding environment in New YorkEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding civil rights in New YorkEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding international affairs in New YorkEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from The Barr 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: 129 Hanbury Road West Suite 201 2, Chesapeake, VA, 23322. 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 31-1518708 · 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.