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Shearwater Foundation Inc at a glance

· Private foundation

Shearwater Foundation Inc

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$4.7M
Granted FY2024still arriving
27
Grants FY2024still arriving
3
States reached
$1.5M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Education$16MArts & Culture$3.4MPhilanthropy$303kHuman Services$255kEnvironment$110kHealth$72kFood & Nutrition$50kHousing & Shelter$40kOther$0
02FY2024 · 27 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k10 grants · $45k
  • $10k–50k12 grants · $185k
  • $250k+5 grants · $4.5M
$10,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$17M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE$1,510,000
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY$1,500,000
ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION$735,000
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION$525,000
VMI FOUNDATION$250,000
BUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL$30,000
UNITED WAY OF SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS$25,000
EASTERN VIRGINIA MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION$25,000
TIDEWATER FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE$25,000
NORFOLK ACADEMY$10,000
THE SALVATION ARMY$10,000
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF THE KING'S DAUGHTERS (CHKD)$10,000
ELIZABETH RIVER PROJECT$10,000
FOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VA$10,000
THE UP CENTER$10,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY21–24, $80k) land where the poverty rate runs at 19%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%THE UNION MISSION: $10k → 19%THE UNION MISSION: $10k → 19%THE UNION MISSION: $10k → 19%THE UNION MISSION: $10k → 19%THE UP CENTER: $10k → 19%THE UP CENTER: $10k → 19%THE UP CENTER: $10k → 19%THE UP CENTER: $10k → 19%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

92%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$18M · 33 repeat orgs$1.5M to everyone else

33 repeat relationships: 25 still active in FY2024, 8 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

33
1

Total granted

$18M
$10k

Still filing today

76%
0%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 68% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $1.5M went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’20’21’22’23’24
EducationArts & CulturePhilanthropyEnvironmentHealthHuman ServicesOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • AC
    ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION
    7× · 2017–2024 · $3.3M · revenue +95% · 37% of their budget
  • VH
    VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
    7× · 2017–2024 · $2.5M · revenue +103%
  • Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
    7× · 2017–2024 · $675k · revenue +17%

Funded once

  • H
    HEALTHIER757
    one grant, 2020 · $10k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
University of Virginia Investment Management Company

The university of virginia investment management company (uvimco) is organized to invest funds on behalf of the rector and visitors of the university of virginia (the university or uva) and university-associated organizations (uaos).

Education
2
William & Mary Foundation

The William & Mary Foundation advances the university's highest aspirations by securing private support, guiding a multi-asset investment portfolio, and offering strategic leadership. In this work, we propel the university toward national…

Education
3
University of Virginia Foundation

To provide administrative services to university of virginia (university) entities, university associated organizations, or other entities involved in activities which support the university. to engage in matters pertaining to real…

Education
4
Jefferson Scholars Foundation

The jefferson scholars foundation (foundation) provides academic merit-based scholarship, fellowship and professorship support to students and faculty at the university of virginia (uva).

Philanthropy
5
Norfolk Collegiate School

To educate a diverse body of students to thrive in a college setting and beyond.

Education
6
Hampden-Sydney College

Since 1775, the mission of Hampden-Sydney College has been to form good men and good citizens in an atmosphere of sound learning.

Education
7
Virginia Tech Foundation Inc

Virginia tech foundation, inc. (vtf) is a virginia nonstock corporation established in 1948 for the sole purpose of managing virginia tech's endowment to advance virginia tech's mission and its strategic priorities.

Education
8
Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia wesleyan university is a fully accredited liberal arts, united-methodist related institution founded in 1961.

—
9
Virginia Commonwealth University Intellectual Property Foundation

The foundation determines the patentability and obtains patents on virginia commonwealth university (vcu) inventions and markets and licenses such inventions to commerical entities. the foundation's activities promote research efforts at…

Health
10
Vcu Health Tappahannock Hospital

To deliver important healthcare services with exceptional quality and patient-centered care.

Health
11
Vcu Investment Management Company

To provide investment and investment management and related services to the rector and the board of visitors of virginia commonwealth university (vcu), and/or to the private and independent foundations and other entities affiliated with…

Education
12
University of Virginia Law School Foundation

The university of virginia law school foundation's primary purpose is to receive, manage and expend funds for the benefit of the university of virginia school of law.

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Inc; the most unlike its peers is Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

26 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 26 of the 36 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
5
Early backer (in before they grew)
26/26
Grantees still filing
18/26
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

VMI Foundation: $5,225,000 · EducationVMI FoundationTHE NORFOLK ACADEMY: $4,320,000 · EducationTHE NORFOLK ACADEMYACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION: $3,320,000 · EducationACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION+5 more: $337,000 · EducationVIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $2,470,000 · Arts & CultureVIRGINIA HISTORICA…Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: $675,000 · Arts & CultureColonial Williamsb…+4 more: $200,000 · Arts & Culture+4 moreNORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY: $1,500,000 · OtherNORFOLK STATE UN…OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY: $1,020,000 · OtherOLD DOMINION UNI…+11 more: $337,500 · Other+11 moreUnited Way of South Hampton Roads: $175,000 · PhilanthropyTHE FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE INCORPORATED: $125,000 · PhilanthropyTHE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC: $80,000 · PhilanthropyThe Elizabeth River Project: $75,000 · EnvironmentNORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN INC: $35,000 · EnvironmentCHILD & FAMILY SERVICES OF EASTERN VA INC D/B/A THE UP CENTER: $40,000 · Human ServicesTHE UNION MISSION: $40,000 · Human ServicesChildren's Hospital of the King's Daughters: $55,000 · HealthBOOMER ESIASON FOUNDATION: $7,000 · Health
Education$13,202,000Arts & Culture$3,345,000Other$2,857,500Philanthropy$380,000Environment$110,000Human Services$80,000Health$62,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetVMI Foundation: $5,225,000 over 3y, 10% of budgetTHE NORFOLK ACADEMY: $4,320,000 over 7y, 7.8% of budgetACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION: $3,320,000 over 7y, 37% of budgetVIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY: $2,470,000 over 7y, 7.0% of budgetColonial Williamsburg Foundation: $675,000 over 7y, 0.4% of budgetUnited Way of South Hampton Roads: $175,000 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetBUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL: $170,000 over 7y, 0.2% of budgetTHE FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE INCORPORATED: $125,000 over 5y, 3.9% of budgetEastern Virginia Medical School Foundation: $100,000 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetJAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION INC: $80,000 over 7y, 1.0% of budgetTHE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC: $80,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetThe Elizabeth River Project: $75,000 over 7y, 1.1% of budgetChildren's Hospital of the King's Daughters: $55,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetVIRGINIA STAGE COMPANY: $50,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetFOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA: $50,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetCHILD & FAMILY SERVICES OF EASTERN VA INC D/B/A THE UP CENTER: $40,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetTHE UNION MISSION: $40,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetVIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: $35,000 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetVIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY: $35,000 over 7y, 0.2% of budgetNORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN INC: $35,000 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetTHE MARINERS' MUSEUM: $35,000 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetSLOVER LIBRARY FOUNDATION: $27,000 over 7y, 3.5% of budgetAgnes Scott College: $25,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetPresident and Fellows of Middlebury College: $20,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAMHERST COLLEGE TRUSTEES: $20,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBOOMER ESIASON FOUNDATION: $7,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds VMI Foundation ↗
  • Who funds THE NORFOLK ACADEMY ↗
  • Who funds ACCESS COLLEGE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ↗
  • Who funds Colonial Williamsburg Foundation ↗
  • Who funds United Way of South Hampton Roads ↗
  • Who funds BUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds THE FRIENDS OF FOSTER CARE INCORPORATED ↗
  • Who funds Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation ↗
  • Who funds JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds The Elizabeth River Project ↗
  • Who funds Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters ↗
  • Who funds VIRGINIA STAGE COMPANY ↗
  • Who funds FOODBANK OF SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA ↗
  • Who funds CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES OF EASTERN VA INC D/B/A THE UP CENTER ↗
  • Who funds THE UNION MISSION ↗
  • Who funds VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ↗
  • Who funds VIRGINIA ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY ↗
  • Who funds NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN INC ↗
  • Who funds THE MARINERS' MUSEUM ↗
  • Who funds SLOVER LIBRARY FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds Agnes Scott College ↗
  • Who funds President and Fellows of Middlebury College ↗
  • Who funds AMHERST COLLEGE TRUSTEES ↗
  • Who funds BOOMER ESIASON FOUNDATION ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Dominion Energy Chari…Patricia and Douglas …Tidewater Jewish Foun…Townebank FoundationHampton Roads Communi…The Richard S Glasser…The Blocker FoundationBrown Advisory Charit…The Landmark Foundati…Suffolk FoundationBeazley Foundation In…The Windward Foundati…
Dominion Energy Charitable FoundationVA30.1× affinity13 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation · Patricia and Douglas Perry Foundation DBA The Perry Family Foundation · Tidewater Jewish Foundation Inc · Townebank Foundation · Hampton Roads Community Foundation · The Richard S Glasser Family Foundation · The Blocker Foundation · Brown Advisory Charitable Foundation Inc · The Landmark Foundation · Suffolk Foundation · Beazley Foundation Incorporated · The Windward Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Shearwater Foundation Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Shearwater Foundation Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%3%5%8%10%share of the org’s income from government →median 1%
  • President and Fellows of Middlebury College: 1% of income from government
  • Amherst College Trustees: 0% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–10%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Shearwater Foundation Inc?

Find your warmest path to Shearwater Foundation Inc through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 36 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Shearwater’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home