What Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia does

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 1988 (with a 1990 founding date also referenced in source material) and headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, serving the Roanoke Valley, Martinsville-Henry-Patrick region, Alleghany Highlands, and other parts of Western Virginia. Its core function is philanthropic intermediation: it enables individuals, families, corporations, and private foundations to establish and administer charitable funds and connects those funds to local nonprofits, students, and community causes. The foundation manages over 400 charitable funds, administers more than 80 scholarship opportunities, and runs six structured grant cycles (Letter of Intent year-round, Summer, Fall, Winter, Community Wellness, and Capacity-Building) plus general operating support grants for nonprofits facing federal funding reductions.

The foundation's product portfolio spans seven fund types (Donor Advised, Scholarship, Designated, Unrestricted, Field of Interest, Memorial, and Agency Endowment Funds), private foundation conversion and administration services, corporate philanthropy program development, and Separately Managed Funds for donors establishing $1 million or more. Supporting programs include Women In Philanthropy (a $500 annual giving circle), NPO Connect (monthly nonprofit professional development), and the Legacy Society (recognizing planned-giving donors with pledged future estate commitments exceeding $170 million). The underlying technology is not proprietary; the foundation operates third-party SaaS platforms including FC Suite for the Fund Advisor Portal and Grant Interface for grant and scholarship applications.

Revenue is generated primarily through fund management fees on assets under management ($130 million+ in outright assets), supplemented by donor contributions, subscription-style annual giving programs (Friends of the Foundation at $500+ annually, Women In Philanthropy at $500), and fee-for-service private foundation and corporate philanthropy programs. The foundation employs between 1 and 10 staff, operates a second regional office in Martinsville (opened 2005), and is led by President/CEO Carly C. Oliver and COO April Haynes, with governance provided by a Board of Governors and Regional Advisory Board.

Name

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

Legal name

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, Inc.

Website

https://cfwesternva.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia is an independent 501(c)(3) public charity managing 400+ charitable funds and $130M+ in assets, serving individual donors, corporations, private foundations, nonprofits, and students across Western Virginia through grantmaking, scholarship administration, and donor services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation and Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• Community philanthropy services
• Charitable fund administration
• Donor advised funds
• Grantmaking programs
• Scholarship administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Roanoke

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Fund Management Fees: The foundation charges a modest management fee for overseeing donor funds, which includes fund setup, investments, and grant administration. This is the primary revenue mechanism for operating the foundation.
2. Donor Contributions and Gifts: Revenue is generated through charitable gifts from individuals, families, and corporations establishing named funds. Minimum fund establishment ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on fund type.
3. Professional Services for Private Foundations: Fee-for-service program assisting corporations and private foundations with developing and carrying out grantmaking programs, including grant application review, facilitation, and administration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia administers charitable funds on behalf of individual, family, corporate, and private foundation donors across Western Virginia. It manages donor-advised, scholarship, designated, unrestricted, field-of-interest, memorial, and agency endowment funds; runs multiple competitive grant cycles for local nonprofits; and distributes over 80 scholarships to students, supported by professional investment management, grant administration, and planned giving services.

Product overview

Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia is a philanthropic services organization rather than a technology company. Its offerings center on charitable fund administration and grantmaking services rather than a unified software product. The core portfolio includes multiple fund types (Donor Advised, Scholarship, Designated, Unrestricted, Field of Interest, Memorial, and Agency Endowment Funds) managed through the organization, plus online access via the Fund Advisor Portal. Supporting services include private foundation conversion and administration, corporate philanthropy program development, and separately managed funds for larger donors. The Foundation also operates multiple competitive grant cycles (Letter of Intent, Summer, Fall, Winter, Community Wellness), capacity-building grants, and general operating support. Specialized programs include Women In Philanthropy giving circle, NPO Connect networking, and Legacy Society for planned giving. All fund management and grant applications are processed through third-party platforms (FC Suite for fund access, Grant Interface for grants/scholarships).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women In Philanthropy (WIP): An initiative of Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia's Martinsville Regional Office that started in October 2009, recognizing and celebrating the important role that women play in making the community a wonderful place to live.
• NPO Connect
• Legacy Society

Products and services

• Donor Advised Fund A charitable giving vehicle allowing donors to make grant recommendations to qualified nonprofits while receiving tax benefits and professional fund management. Requires a minimum gift of $10,000 and a simple fund agreement.
• Scholarship Fund Endowed funds that provide scholarship assistance to students selected by volunteer committees. Requires a minimum gift of $50,000 to establish.
• Designated Fund Endowed funds that ensure regular, ongoing support for specific charitable organizations named by the donor.
• Unrestricted Fund Flexible funds allowing the Community Foundation to respond to the community's most pressing and evolving needs.
• Field of Interest Fund Funds that support broad areas of concern such as education, arts, environment, youth services, or specific geographic areas chosen by the donor.
• Memorial Fund Funds that honor or remember a special person through a named charitable fund reflecting their legacy.
• Agency Endowment Fund Funds created by nonprofits to build charitable dollars for the future of their mission and work, requiring a $25,000 minimum.
• Private Foundation Transfer Services Services assisting private foundations in converting to donor advised funds, including board approval, fund setup, liability management, corporate dissolution, and asset transfer support.
• Private Foundation Services Customized administrative services for private foundation trustees and advisors, including strategic grantmaking, philanthropic planning, due diligence, and compliance administration.
• Corporate Philanthropy Program Development Strategic corporate philanthropy program development and administration services, including grantmaking consultation, RFP solicitation, and program evaluation.
• Corporate Advised Fund A corporate giving vehicle that increases visibility of company charitable objectives while connecting the company to local causes.
• Letter of Intent Grant Process Year-round grant application process for organizations in the foundation's service area, with rolling Phase I deadlines and historical average grants of $14,000-$25,000.
• Summer Grant Cycle Competitive grant round offering multiple fund opportunities including animal welfare, battered women's shelters, and crisis assistance, with an August deadline.
• Fall Grant Cycle Grant round supporting cancer services, hospice care, and Martinsville area health programs, with a September deadline.
• Winter Grant Cycle Grant round supporting children's services, elderly programs, and community impact initiatives, with a November deadline.
• Community Wellness Grant Cycle Grants addressing food insecurity, housing access, homelessness prevention, and basic needs assistance for vulnerable populations, with a February deadline.
• Capacity-Building Grants Grants supporting nonprofit organizational development including technology upgrades, operational efficiency, and capacity enhancement.
• General Operating Support Grants Emergency grants for nonprofits facing federal funding reductions, intended to stabilize operations and sustain core programming.
• Separately Managed Funds Investment option for donors with $1 million or more, allowing continuation of existing relationships with specific investment firms and advisors.
• Online Fund Access Platform Web-based portal for fundholders to check balances, review gifts and grants, view statements, and submit grant recommendations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 funds managed with $130 million+ in outright assets
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Virginia Museum of Natural HistoryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2026The foundation is honored to sponsor the Virginia Museum of Natural History's Dino Festival 2026, happening July 24-25. The foundation also co-sponsors free admission for EBT cardholders at the event, demonstrating commitment to community access and education.
• Atlantic Union BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDino Festival 2026 sponsor; corporate partner supporting community cultural events
• Bassett FurnitureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDino Festival 2026 sponsor; corporate partner supporting community cultural events
• BrightspeedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDino Festival 2026 sponsor; corporate partner supporting community cultural events
• Carter BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDino Festival 2026 sponsor; also co-sponsors free admission for EBT cardholders
• Hooker FurnishingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDino Festival 2026 sponsor; also co-sponsors free admission for EBT cardholders
• Renewal by Andersen of RoanokeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDino Festival 2026 sponsor; corporate partner supporting community cultural events
• Virginia is for LoversminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDino Festival 2026 sponsor; Virginia tourism partner supporting community cultural events
• Blue Star FamiliesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of free admission for military families at Dino Festival 2026
• Nonprofit Leaders NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation partners with the Nonprofit Leaders Network for its monthly 'Community Matters: Nonprofit Tools for Success' professional training series for nonprofit staff and board members

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fidelity Charitable: Largest national donor-advised fund sponsor offering low-fee digital DAFs with broad investment menus. Increasingly competing with regional community foundations for wealthy donors seeking maximum tax efficiency and convenience.

Direct peers

• Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina: Regional community foundation managing donor-advised funds, scholarships, and competitive grant cycles across coastal South Carolina. Comparable in operating model, regional scope, and donor engagement programs.
• The Dayton Foundation: Mid-size regional community foundation in Ohio with comparable AUM scale and a full suite of donor-advised, scholarship, agency endowment, and designated funds. Strong structural and operational comparable to a small-to-mid community foundation.
• Triangle Community Foundation: Regional community foundation administering donor-advised funds, competitive grant cycles, and scholarship programs in North Carolina. Directly comparable in fund administration, multiple grant cycles, and scholarship matching workflows.
• Richmond Region Community Foundation: Virginia community foundation providing donor-advised funds, scholarship administration, and grantmaking across the Richmond region. Similar in structure and service offerings to a multi-county Virginia community foundation.
• Community Foundation of the New River Valley: Regional community foundation serving the New River Valley in southwestern Virginia, offering donor-advised funds, scholarships, and competitive grant cycles. Highly comparable in mission, scale, and geographic focus on a similar Virginia region adjacent to Western VA.
• Charlottesville Area Community Foundation: Virginia-based community foundation administering donor-advised funds, scholarships, and grant programs across central Virginia. Directly comparable in product offerings, tax-advantaged fund structures, and nonprofit capacity-building programs.
• Hampton Roads Community Foundation: Larger Virginia community foundation managing pooled funds, scholarships, and competitive grant cycles across the Hampton Roads region. Comparable in fund types, scholarship administration, and regional nonprofit partnership model.

Others

• Candid (formerly Foundation Center): National infrastructure provider serving the philanthropic sector with grants data, research, and training tools used by community foundations. Functions as a sector enabler rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• United Way of Roanoke Valley: Adjacent nonprofit operating in the same Roanoke Valley service area, focused on workplace giving, fund distribution to local human-service agencies, and community impact initiatives. Not a direct community foundation peer but competes for regional donor dollars.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cfwesternva
• Facebookfacebook.com/cfwesternva

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia