Since its founding in 1950 The Norfolk Foundation has supported the work of nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving life for residents of southeastern Virginia. The Foundation has two major ways it enhances the missions of area nonprofit organizations:

• Through its grantmaking




• By helping nonprofits gain the capabilities to do their best

  
  

  • Building Excellence Grants
    
    
    
  • The Academy for Nonprofit Excellence
  
  
  
  

  
  

   







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Grant Highlight

Parsons Fund Provides Grantmaking Opportunities

Alison and Ella Parsons were charitable during their lifetimes donating to their church and to area nonprofits. But their generosity amplified itself after their deaths through The Alison J. and Ella W. Parsons Foundation that was the Norfolk couple’s gift to their community.

On October 1, 2005 the foundation’s board ensured  the Parsons legacy will continue forever by transferring assets to a donor advised fund of The Norfolk Foundation. The amount is expected to reach $7 million once all funds are received.  This is believed to be the largest private foundation transfer in South Hampton Roads. The fund is the fourth largest The Norfolk Foundation has ever received.

Since its founding in 1983 The Parsons Foundation has awarded more than $6.4 million in grants to 142 nonprofit organizations – most of them in southeastern Virginia. Grant recipients have included area colleges and universities as well as arts groups and organizations of all sizes that work with the homeless and hungry and other people in need. For a look at The Parsons Foundation’s grantmaking history click here.

The Parsons Foundation’s five-member board will remain as advisors to the Alison J. and Ella W. Parsons Fund of The Norfolk Foundation. The fund should provide about $315,000 a year in grants to nonprofits. Grant applicants should follow the instructions for applying for General Discretionary Grant funding .

“The Parsons are a fine example of what people with an abundance of resources can do to have a positive impact on their community,” says Don Buma, executive director of Norfolk Botanical Garden.