Virginia War Memorial Foundation, Inc.

What Virginia War Memorial Foundation, Inc. does

The Virginia War Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN: 31-1647903) established to support the operations, educational programs, exhibits, and commemorative events of the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia. The Memorial itself was dedicated in 1956 to honor Virginians killed in action; the Foundation finances all educational, patriotic, and historic programming of the site. The Shrine of Memory at its core bears nearly 12,000 names of Virginians killed in action from World War II through the Global War on Terrorism, etched on glass panels, and the five-acre grounds overlooking the James River house the C. Kenneth Wright Pavilion education center, E. Bruce Heilman Amphitheater, VMI Alumni Hall, Veterans Art Gallery, and Robins Lobby.

The Foundation's core product surface spans three interlocking lines: (1) commemorative and educational programs built on the Shrine of Memory, including the Mighty Pen Project (a free creative writing program for veterans and families in its 12th year, taught by a professional creative writing professor), the Mighty Pen Podcast, the annual Mighty Pen Project Journal, and the War in Pieces festival of one-act plays co-produced with Firehouse Theatre and Virginia Repertory Theatre; (2) award-winning documentary film production in partnership with Blue Ridge PBS, exemplified by the Emmy-winning "One Week in October"; and (3) ongoing exhibits and lecture programming, including the Virginia's MIA: The Search Continues exhibit (with the DPAA), the D+80 Normandy exhibit, the Leadership in America lecture series, and the multi-year Salute to Service reunion program. There is no proprietary technology platform; distribution relies on a physical destination supplemented by PBS broadcast, podcast streaming, VCU Scholars Compass archives, YouTube, and event-based channels.

The revenue model is diversified but donation-anchored. Primary inflows are charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations (including Memorial Guard and Legacy A-Team memberships, Walkway of Honor brick purchases, and corporate sponsorships), supplemented by facility and event rentals of the Amphitheater and VMI Alumni Hall, ticket sales for theatrical productions ($35/$15) and lectures ($25/$10), and merchandise including a $105 commemorative book. Primary audiences are Virginia veterans and military families, K-12 and university students and educators, the general public, and corporate partners. The organization holds a Charity Navigator four-star rating and a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency.

Name

Virginia War Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Legal name

Virginia War Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://vawarmemorial.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Virginia War Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia, supporting educational programs, commemorative events, veteran storytelling through the Mighty Pen Project, documentary films, theatrical productions, and exhibits honoring Virginians killed in action.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterans Memorial and Educational Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ)

Keywords

• Veterans memorial services
• Military history education
• Commemorative ceremonies
• Veteran creative writing
• Nonprofit memorial programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and partners as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 31-1647903). Support comes through general donations, memorial programs like Memorial Guard and Legacy A-Team memberships.
2. Event and Facility Rentals: The memorial generates revenue through renting its facilities including the E. Bruce Heilman Amphitheater, VMI Alumni Hall, and grounds for private events, corporate functions, and ceremonies.
3. Book and Merchandise Sales: Sale of commemorative merchandise including the 75th anniversary history book ($105 plus shipping), with limited availability first edition copies available for on-site pickup and delivery.
4. Event Ticket Sales: Tickets sold for War in Pieces theatrical productions at $35 per person (General Admission) and $15 for Military Veterans and Students. Leadership in America lectures priced at $25 general admission, $10 for Active Duty Military, complimentary for Standard Bearer Donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Virginia War Memorial Foundation operates the Commonwealth of Virginia's official state war memorial in Richmond, Virginia, honoring Virginians killed in action from WWII through the Global War on Terrorism. The foundation funds and runs commemorative ceremonies (Purple Heart Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day), educational programs for K-12 and university students, the Mighty Pen Project creative writing program for veterans, theatrical productions and documentary films, facility rentals, and donor-supported programming including the Memorial Guard and Legacy A-Team membership programs.

Product overview

The Virginia War Memorial Foundation (VWMF) operates the Virginia War Memorial as a living tribute honoring Virginia's fallen veterans and preserving military history. The organization offers a unified portfolio of commemorative, educational, and cultural programs built around its core Shrine of Memory memorial (featuring nearly 12,000 names of Virginians killed in action from WWII through the Global War on Terrorism). The primary educational programs include the Mighty Pen Project (free creative writing classes for veterans in their 12th year), which has spawned sub-products including the Mighty Pen Podcast (premiered January 2024), the Mighty Pen Project Journal (annual published anthology), and War in Pieces (theatrical productions of veteran-written one-act plays co-produced with Firehouse Theatre). The Foundation produces award-winning documentary films in partnership with Blue Ridge PBS, including the Emmy-winning 'One Week in October.' Additional programs include the Leadership in America lecture series, the Virtual Shrine online experience, the Oral History Project, ongoing historical exhibits (D+80, Virginia's MIA: The Search Continues), event rental facilities, and the Public Green Space Initiative. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 31-1647903) headquartered in Richmond, VA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mighty Pen Project: An intensive creative writing program for veterans and their loved ones to preserve military experiences through writing, now in its 12th year.
• War in Pieces
• Mighty Pen Podcast
• Mighty Pen Project Journal
• Leadership in America
• Salute to Service

Products and services

• Shrine of Memory The central memorial at the Virginia War Memorial featuring nearly 12,000 names of Virginians killed in action etched on massive glass panels spanning World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and the Global War on Terrorism. Free, by-donation visitation.
• Mighty Pen Project Free intensive creative writing program for veterans and their loved ones, providing university-level instruction to help students commit military memories to paper. Classes taught by author David L. Robbins; now in its 12th year and the foundation for the Mighty Pen Podcast, Mighty Pen Project Journal, and War in Pieces productions.
• War in Pieces Theatrical Production Festival of one-act plays written by veterans through the Mighty Pen Project, professionally produced and performed in partnership with Firehouse Theatre. Performed at VMI Alumni Hall at the Virginia War Memorial (90 seats). Tickets: $35 general admission, $15 for military veterans and students.
• Mighty Pen Podcast Podcast featuring dramatic readings of veteran stories from the Mighty Pen Project with interviews with the writers. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the VWMF YouTube Channel; reached a global audience.
• Mighty Pen Project Journal Annual curated collection of original works from the previous year's Mighty Pen Project writing classes. Includes creative fiction, personal stories, poetry, and plays. Complimentary to Foundation supporters; additional copies available for educational and book club purposes.
• 75th Anniversary Commemorative Book Two-volume commemorative book titled 'A History of the Virginia War Memorial: 1950-2025,' documenting the creation and evolution of the memorial. Written by Philip Bigler with principal photography by John Henley. Large format (16" x 10"), 200 pages, 150 archival and contemporary photographs. $105 plus shipping.
• One Week in October Documentary Film Documentary film remembering the 40th Anniversary of the Beirut Bombing and Operation Urgent Fury in October 1983. Produced in partnership with Blue Ridge PBS. Won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Military Documentary Film — Long Form Content.
• Leadership in America Lecture Series Ongoing lecture series examining topics of military readiness, economic strength, medical advances, and cultural influence, highlighting leaders with ties to Virginia. Features distinguished speakers including Admiral James O. Ellis Jr. and Lt. Gen. Bob Flowers. Tickets: $25 general admission, $10 for active duty military, complimentary for Standard Bearer Donors.
• Salute to Service Reunion Celebration Multi-year programmatic series reuniting Virginia veterans with their units and the American conflicts in which they served. The inaugural event honored Vietnam War veterans; the second event on April 3, 2027 honors Vietnam War veterans and their families, featuring speakers, moderated discussions, musical performances, documentaries, wreath-laying, and individual oral histories.
• Virginia's MIA: The Search Continues Exhibit Permanent exhibit honoring the more than 1,300 Virginia veterans still missing in action and the more than 700,000 Virginia veterans. Features photos, letters, and archival materials related to those still MIA, and explores the scientific process of searching for and recovering remains in partnership with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).
• D+80: Virginians in the Normandy Invasion Exhibit Exhibit opened on the 80th anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 2024) telling the stories of Virginians who participated in the Normandy invasion. Part of the Memorial's ongoing historical exhibition program.
• Event Rental Program Rental of memorial facilities including the E. Bruce Heilman Amphitheater, VMI Alumni Hall (seating 90), and outdoor grounds for private events, ceremonies, corporate functions, weddings, and performances.
• Who They Were: Lives Worth Knowing Exhibit Exhibit featuring biographical details on over 30 Virginians killed in Vietnam whose names are etched on the Shrine of Memory. Developed in partnership with VCU graduate students in History 611: Readings in American History, the Vietnam Era.
• Veterans Art Gallery Gallery within the Virginia War Memorial showcasing art created by veterans, including rotating exhibitions by veteran artists.
• Oral History Project Program dedicated to collecting and preserving oral histories from veterans, capturing their firsthand accounts of military service.
• Virtual Shrine Online virtual experience of the Virginia War Memorial allowing remote visitors to explore the memorial and engage with its history.
• Mighty Pen Project Online Archives Online archive of veteran-written stories from the Mighty Pen Project, hosted on VCU Scholars Compass, accessible to readers worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Awarded Emmy for Outstanding Military Documentary Film – Long Form Content for 'One Week in October' documentary
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• J.B. Hunt Transportation ServicescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 December 2024Annual key exchange ceremony partnership for Wreaths Across America. J.B. Hunt delivers over 207,000 veteran's wreaths to veteran cemeteries across the country. The ceremony recognizes truck drivers and honors fallen service members.
• Firehouse TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Theatrical production partnership for War in Pieces, professional production of one-act plays written by veterans through the Mighty Pen Project. Now in its third year of co-production.
• Blue Ridge PBScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2023Documentary production partnership producing award-winning films including 'One Week in October.' Films air on PBS channels throughout Virginia and the D.C. metropolitan area.
• Garden Club of VirginiacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 October 2023Awarded the 2023 Common Wealth Award ($20,000) for the Public Green Space Project. Nominations came from four Richmond garden clubs. Part of Capstone Challenge Campaign to reach $1 million fundraising goal.
• Virginia Commonwealth UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2021Student research partnership for documenting biographies of Virginians killed in the Vietnam War. VCU hosts Mighty Pen Project archives through Scholars Compass. VCU Publishing recognizes outstanding MPP essays with annual awards.
• Virginia Repertory TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for War in Pieces theatrical productions, professional production and performance of veteran-written plays.
• Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for the Virginia's MIA: The Search Continues exhibit, exploring the scientific process behind searching for and recovering the remains of missing service members.
• Boxwood Garden Club, James River Garden Club, and Three Chopt Garden ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFour Richmond-based Virginia Garden Clubs that nominated the Public Green Space Project for the Common Wealth Award.

Scale indicators8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: A large national nonprofit serving wounded veterans through programs, advocacy, and mental health support. Comparable in veteran-focused nonprofit mission and donor-driven model, but operates at national scale and direct-service model rather than memorial/museum focus.
• Arlington National Cemetery: A federally operated military cemetery and memorial honoring U.S. service members. Comparable in commemorative mission and educational programming (tours, ceremonies), though federally funded rather than donation-driven and at national scale.

Direct peers

• National D-Day Memorial: A Virginia-based501(c)(3) war memorial that honors the D-Day invasion through a physical memorial site, exhibits, and educational programs. Highly comparable as a Virginia-located, donor-supported state/national-level commemorative site with educational outreach.
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum: A Columbus, Ohio-based museum and memorial honoring all U.S. veterans. Directly comparable as a donor-supported memorial site with educational programming, exhibits, and event spaces for veteran recognition and community engagement.
• Pritzker Military Museum & Library: A Chicago-based nonprofit museum and library that preserves military history through exhibits, programs, and a research library. Comparable in donor-supported nonprofit structure, educational programming, and history-preservation mission, though with library emphasis.
• National Museum of the United States Army: A national military museum that preserves Army history through exhibits, educational programs, and commemorative events. Comparable in scope of military-history education, exhibit-based programming, and donor-supported nonprofit structure.
• National Museum of the Marine Corps: A Marine Corps history museum in Virginia offering exhibits, educational programming, and visitor experiences. Comparable in geographic proximity (Virginia), exhibit-driven model, and mission of preserving military history for public education.
• National WWII Museum: A federally designated national museum in New Orleans that honors those who served in WWII and preserves their stories. Directly comparable to VWMF in mission (war memorialization), educational programming, exhibits, and donor-supported501(c)(3) structure, though at much larger scale and national scope.

Regional players

• Virginia Museum of History & Culture: A Richmond, Virginia-based history museum operated by the Virginia Historical Society. Comparable as a Virginia-based historical society with exhibits, educational programming, and donor-supported nonprofit structure serving regional audiences.

Others

• Blue Ridge PBS: A regional PBS station serving Virginia and the D.C. metro area that produces and airs educational content. Listed as an ecosystem partner rather than competitor; relevant for understanding VWMF's documentary distribution channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/VaWarMemorial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSZxFkhBqDnG70lNY5kufTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/VirginiaWarMemorial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virginiawarmemorial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Virginia War Memorial Foundation, Inc.