Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Community Foundation?
Community Foundations are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities through grants and other initiatives.
Community foundations provide grants to nonprofits, helping them fund programs, capital projects, and initiatives that improve the local quality of life along a broad range of focus areas, including education, heatlh, social welfare and arts & culture. Because Community Foundations are based in their communities, they can more easily respond to new and emerging needs, including crises.
The first Community Foundation was created in 1914 in Cleveland. There are now nearly 1,000 community foundations in the U.S., including 29 in Virginia.
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What is the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation?
The Eastern Shore of Virginia Commnunity Foundation (ESVCF) is a regional community foundation that has been serving Accomack and Northampton counties for over 20 years. It manages charitable funds and awards grants to local nonprofits to address key community needs.
Established in 2004 as a permanent charitable endowment to benefit residents of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, ESVCF has grown to over $15 million in assets and has provided more than $4.5 million in grants to local organizations to date.
ESVCF has an affilitation agreement with the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, one of the country’s largest and most experienced community foundations.
How can I make a gift to the Foundation?
You can support the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation (ESVCF) in several ways: through an annual gift, by establishing a named endowed fund, or by including ESVCF in your estate plans.
ANNUAL GIFTS: Annual gifts of any size are welcome and can be made online, by check, or as a gift of stock. Unrestricted annual gifts are especially valuable because they are added to the ESVCF Community Fund, which supports local grantmaking. You may also direct your annual gift to an existing fund or make a tribute gift in memory or honor of a loved one.
NAMED ENDOWED FUNDS: A permanent endowed fund can be established in your name or as a tribute with a minimum gift of $25,000 and can be customized to align with your charitable interests. Options include:
Donor-Advised Fund – Allows you (and your successor advisor) to recommend grants to nonprofits each year.
Designated or Field of Interest Fund – Supports specific organizations or causes.
Unrestricted Fund – Contributes to the foundation’s community grantmaking efforts.
LEGACY GIFTS: Planned giving options include gifts through wills, trusts, life insurance, or retirement plans. These gifts create a lasting impact and legacy while offering potential tax benefits.
ESVCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and charitable contributions may provide savings on income, capital gains, and estate taxes. Please consult your financial advisor to determine the best giving strategy for you.
For more information or to make a gift, please contact us at esvcf2016@gmail.com or 757-789-0910.
What is the focus of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation?
The Foundation strives to strengthen the fabric of the Eastern Shore and to reflect the diverse interests of donors. ESVCF supports local nonprofits working in the areas of education, healthcare, arts & culture, child, family and social welfare, environmental stewardship, and economic stability. Grants may support capital projects as well as programmatic initiatives. The Fall Community Grants program also considers seed funding for new initiatives and nonprofit capacity building initiatives.
Nonprofits serving Accomack and Northampton counties can apply for funding through ESVCF’s online grant application process. Grant deadlines are March 1st and September 1st each year.
Who governs the Foundation?
A ten-member Board of Directors governs the Foundation, helps to identify local needs and decides on all community grants to nonprofit organizations. The members of the Board are chosen for their leadership skills, understanding of the community and business acumen.
How are Foundation assets invested?
In accordance with the affiliation agreement with Hampton Roads Community Foundation (HRCF), the assets of the Foundation are held and invested by the HRCF for long-term growth in partnership with Spider Management Company LLC. Investment policies and fund performance are overseen by the HRCF’s board of directors. Investment accounts are audited annually by an independent accounting firm and summarized in the annual reports of the HRCF and ESVCF.
What is the difference between the Community Foundation and the United Way?
Both are important resources to the community and each complements the other. Some have described the differences by suggesting the United Way is more like the community's check book, raising and distributing money annually, while a community foundation is more like a savings account, distributing interest from long-term funds in perpetuity.
Why should I support ESVCF?
Supporting your favorite nonprofits directly is essential, but making a gift to the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation amplifies your impact in a powerful way. Nonprofits often face unpredictable funding challenges, but ESVCF provides a stable, long-term source of support for the entire community. Your gift to ESVCF helps sustain and grow this permanent endowment, allowing us to respond to both immediate needs and emerging challenges. Plus, by pooling resources from generous donors like you, we can fund innovative projects, strengthen nonprofits, and create lasting change. It’s an investment in the future of the Eastern Shore—ensuring that our community thrives not just today, but for generations to come.
How can I learn more or get involved?
Scroll through out website, follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our quarterly newsletter, or contact us at esvcf2016@gmail.com or 757-789-0910.
Your support makes a lasting impact on the Eastern Shore—helping to create a stronger, more vibrant community for generations to come!