FundersDelaware

The Vf Foundation

Wilmington, DE · EIN 56-2322084. Reported 237 grants totalling $23.6M to 133 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$50,000median grant
$23.6Mgranted, 2021-2024
133organizations funded
40%of grantees funded again the next year
$26.2Massets, 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 Vf 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 $50,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $25,000 and $125,000; the smallest was $2,500 and the largest $1,026,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

$1,000 - $5,000
1 grant
$5,000 - $10,000
4 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
19 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
72 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
56 grants
$100,000 and Up
85 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
Trust for Public LandLos Angeles, CA$1,455,000642024
University of DenverDenver, CO$1,406,000222024
United Nations Foundation IncWashington, DC$1,000,000432024
Soil Health InstituteMorrisville, NC$950,000442024
Nature ConservancyArlington, VA$910,000332023
Greensboro Chamber FoundationGreensboro, NC$825,000542024
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club IncSteamboat Springs, CO$750,000112021
The Outdoor FoundationBoulder, CO$750,000222022
Wateraid America IncNew York, NY$750,000442024
Forum for the Future US IncBrooklyn, NY$700,000442024
Yma Fashion Scholarship FundNew York, NY$600,000442024
Impact Farming Foundation IncBriarcliff Manor, NY$535,000442024
Girl Scouts of the United States of AmericaNew York, NY$500,000222022
Uvalde Cisd Moving Forward FoundationUvalde, TX$500,000112022
At the EpicenterLongmont, CO$403,000332023
United Way of Greater Greensboro IncGreensboro, NC$400,000332023
United States Association for UnhcrWashington, DC$376,000222023
National Forest FoundationMissoula, MT$340,000332023
Colorado State University FoundationFort Collins, CO$290,000222023
American Recreation CoalitionWashington, DC$254,000432024
Business for Social ResponsibilitySan Francisco, CA$250,000112023
Greening Youth Foundation IncAtlanta, GA$250,000112021
The Skatepark ProjectVista, CA$250,000112023
United States Fund for UnicefNew York, NY$250,000112022
World Business Council for Sustainable DevelopmentGeneva$250,000222024
Denver Public Schools FoundationDenver, CO$245,000442024
Arizona State University Foundation for a New AmerTempe, AZ$238,000112021
GIVE2ASIAOakland, CA$227,000222023
Myriad USA IncNew York, NY$225,000112024
Camber OutdoorsBoulder, CO$215,000222023
Historic Southside IncorporatedFort Worth, TX$214,000332024
Friends of Greensboro Parks AndrecreationGreensboro, NC$200,000112021
Get Lit Words Ignite IncLos Angeles, CA$200,000222024
Protect Our WintersBoulder, CO$200,000442024
Raisefashion IncWoodbury, CT$200,000222022
Water Org IncKansas City, MO$200,000222024
Oregon State University FoundationCorvallis, OR$197,000222022
Civic Center ConservancyDenver, CO$185,000442024
Environmental Learning for KidsDenver, CO$175,000322024
First DescentsDenver, CO$175,000442024
Guilford Education Alliance IncGreensboro, NC$175,000332023
American National Red Cross - Mile High ChapterDenver, CO$155,000112023
Lewis College of BusinessDetroit, MI$155,000112024
Adm Capital Foundation IncQuincy, MA$150,000322023
Creatives Want Change IncBrooklyn, NY$150,000332023
Friends of Greensboro Parks and RecreationGreensboro, NC$150,000112022
Ready for School Ready for LifeGreensboro, NC$150,000222022
SkateistanSeattle, WA$150,000222024
The Biomimicry InstituteMissoula, MT$150,000222023
Protect Our Winters Europe - Association for ClimaInnsbruck$142,000112024
Savory Institute Org IncBoulder, CO$138,000112022
Globalgiving Foundation IncWashington, DC$133,000212022
Outdoor AllianceWashington, DC$130,000442024
Habitat for Humanity International Inc - Fort WortFort Worth, TX$108,000112021
World Wildlife Fund IncWashington, DC$104,000112023
4DWN Project IncDallas, TX$100,000222024
Cdp North America IncNew York, NY$100,000112021
Childrens Home Society of North Carolina IncGreensboro, NC$100,000112021
Denver Civic Ventures IncDenver, CO$100,000112022
Leicester City Football Club Trust LimitedLeicester$100,000222024
Summit FoundationVevey$90,000222024
Womens Wilderness InstituteBoulder, CO$85,000332023
Paradox SportsEldorado Sprg, CO$80,000332023
Cambodian Childrens FundSanta Monica, CA$79,000222023
American National Red CrossDenver, CO$75,000112024
Childrens Museum of Denver IncDenver, CO$75,000222023
Industrial CommonsMorganton, NC$75,000332024
Mca DenverDenver, CO$75,000332024
The Park PeopleDenver, CO$75,000112022
University of Colorado FoundationDenver, CO$75,000212021
Youth SeenBroomfield, CO$75,000222022
No Barriers USAFort Collins, CO$73,000222023
American Forest FoundationWashington, DC$72,000112021
National Sports Center for the Disabled IncDenver, CO$70,000332024
Community FoundationBoulder, CO$67,000112022
Beyond Sport FoundationLondon$65,000112023
London Wildlife TrustLondon$60,000112022
National Governors Association Center for Best PraWashington, DC$60,000112021
Outdoor AfroOakland, CA$60,000222023
Sos OutreachAvon, CO$60,000332024
Girl Scouts of ColoradoDenver, CO$50,000112023
Kiss the GroundLos Angeles, CA$50,000112023
National Park City FoundationLondon$50,000112021
Natuurpunt Vereniging Zonder Winstoogmerk VerenigiMechelen$50,000112022
North Carolina State University Foundation IncRaleigh, NC$50,000112021
North Carolina Textile Foundation IncRaleigh, NC$50,000112021
Orange County CoastkeeperHuntingtn Bch, CA$50,000222023
Year One IncDenver, CO$50,000112021
Girls at Work IncManchester, NH$45,000222023
WildmonDale, TX$45,000112024
Conservation Colorado Education FundDenver, CO$40,000112021
Rino Gives BackDenver, CO$40,000112021
The Aspen Institute IncWashington, DC$40,000112021
Conservation Lands FoundationDurango, CO$35,000112021
Greensboro Childrens MuseumGreensboro, NC$35,000112021
Protect Our Winters Europe - Association for ClimaInnsbruck$34,000112023
Community InitiativesOakland, CA$30,000222024
Unc-G Excellence FoundationGreensboro, NC$30,000112021
American Indian College FundDenver, CO$25,000112021
Big City Mountaineers IncGolden, CO$25,000112021
Bolsa Chica ConservancyHuntington Beach, CA$25,000112021
Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver IncDenver, CO$25,000112021
Catalyst Sports IncAtlanta, GA$25,000112024
Church Health Center of Memphis IncMemphis, TN$25,000112024
Colorado Outward Bound School - Outward Bound WildDenver, CO$25,000112021
Fondazione Mission Bambini OnlusMilano$25,000112021
Justice OutsideOakland, CA$25,000112023
Nawic Founders Scholarship FoundationFort Worth, TX$25,000112023
Noisyvision EtsSant Angelo Di Piove, Padova$25,000112024
Project Fearless FoundationAmsterdam$25,000112022
Real Deal RevolutionLong Beach, CA$25,000112024
San Luis Valley Great OutdoorsAlamosa, CO$25,000112021
Social Good Fund IncRichmond, CA$25,000112024
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire ForestConcord, NH$25,000112024
Surfrider FoundationSan Clemente, CA$25,000112021
The Venture Out Project IncNorthhampton, MA$25,000112023
We Are Urban MilanoMilano$25,000112021
Hawaii Community FoundationHonolulu, HI$22,500212023
Colorado Mesa University FoundationGrand Jct, CO$20,000112021
Greensboro Downtown Parks IncGreensboro, NC$20,000112021
Longboard Women UnitedMadrid$20,000112022
Western Colorado University FoundationGunnison, CO$20,000112021
Youth on RecordDenver, CO$20,000112021
Colorado SucceedsLittleton, CO$15,000112021
United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro IncGreensboro, NC$15,000112021
University ImpactProvo, UT$15,000112024
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado IncDenver, CO$15,000112021
Guilford Says Yes to EducationJamestown, NC$10,000112021
SOLES4SOULSOld Hickory, TN$10,000112024
Womens Resource Center of Greensboro IncGreensboro, NC$10,000112021
American Cancer Society IncOklahoma City, OK$5,000112022
Junior Achievement of the Triad IncGreensboro, NC$5,000112021
Alzheimers Tennessee IncKnoxville, TN$2,500112022

55 of 133 (41%) 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 40%, 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 193 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Environment
31 grants
International Affairs
30 grants
Education
30 grants
Recreation & Sports
25 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
19 grants
Human Services
12 grants
Youth Development
12 grants
Arts & Culture
10 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
202178$7,990,000$50,000
202261$8,215,500$75,000
202354$3,972,500$50,000
202444$3,422,000$32,500

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. 29% of this one's giving went to organizations in Colorado. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Colorado
$6.5M
New York
$3.8M
North Carolina
$3.2M
California
$2.8M
District of Columbia
$2.2M
Texas
$992K
Virginia
$910K
Montana
$490K

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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 Fund74 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc71 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc60 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust43 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program37 shared recipientsThe Blackbaud Giving Fund35 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $50,000. 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 Colorado.
  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 education in ColoradoEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding environment in New YorkEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding international affairs in New YorkEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding education in New YorkEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from The Vf 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: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE, 19809. 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 56-2322084 · 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.