Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Peninsula Community Foundation created?
When we were created more than two decades ago, our founders knew the positive role that other community foundations in Virginia were playing for their dedicated communities. In Hampton Roads, the Williamsburg Community Foundation was serving specifically the Williamsburg, James City County, and York County municipalities, and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation serving primarily the Southside, with some assistance for other areas as well. But our founders believed there needed to be a community foundation to serve the WHOLE Peninsula - one whose job would be to keep this Peninsula community in mind (to maintain the “view from the balcony,” if you will). And so they launched the Peninsula Community Foundation.
Who runs the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia?
The Community Foundation has a dedicated paid staff and the organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that is representative of the Virginia Peninsula region we serve. Click here to meet the team.
What specific geographic areas does PCF serve?
For us, the Virginia Peninsula is six primary municipalities: Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, James City County, York County and Williamsburg. Some of our programs do extend beyond the Peninsula proper: for instance, Give Local 757 serves all of Hampton Roads, and our Children's Holiday Fund and Impact 100 include Gloucester and Smithfield.
Additionally, our scholarship & educator grant programs do include some opportunities for students and teachers outside of the Peninsula, some even having a national reach.
How do you serve the community?
We operate through three primary pillars:
P – Partnerships: We act as a central hub, fostering relationships and identifying opportunities where working together can solve complex challenges and amplify positive change across the Peninsula. Everything we do flows from the partnerships we build and steward. For us, “partners” range from nonprofits that are simply recipients of grants that are made from one of our donor advised funds, to corporations that are connected to us in many ways - we administer their scholarships funds, manage their employee support funds, and engage with them in research surrounding community needs; to families who entrust us to help manage their philanthropic resources and inform their funding decisions. We partner with individuals, families, nonprofits, for-profit businesses, other foundations, and educational institutions, and we help them partner with one another.
C – Capacity Building: For us, building capacity for this community means two main things: helping organizations do more, better - and taking on for and with them initiatives that make a real difference - but that they cannot or should not tackle alone. Our Give Local 757 giving day is a prime example - click here to learn more! Other programs we support that offer capacity include our Children’s Holiday Fund (click here for more). We also conduct in-depth community research to help ensure decisions made by Peninsula leaders are data-driven and address the Peninsula's most pressing needs.
F – Financial Possibilities: PCF Virginia is a trusted steward of charitable assets, offering flexible options for individuals, families, and businesses to achieve what they hope to with their philanthropic resources. Every gift opens a window of possibility for our neighbors. Click here for more information about the funds we offer and for idea about how your financial support can change lives. And click here to access details about the scholarships and educator grants we offer for students and teachers across our region.
Can I create a fund for a specific cause, like teacher support or even for specific nonprofits?
Absolutely. Visit our Types of Funds page to find one that best suits your needs and wishes.
What is the Center for Community Research?
Research has been a driver of this Foundation for the last 15 years. "The Center for Community Research" is the name we have given this body of our program work. We have conducted multiple research projects, including one on early childhood development, another on homelessness, and the most recent (released in 2025) focused on the rapidly growing population of older adults across the Peninsula. Click here for more information on the Center and on this recent report.
What is Give Local 757?
Many nonprofits cannot afford the resources to run a massive 24-hour giving campaign on their own. PCF steps in to provide the platform and the "capacity," raising millions (nearly $16 million to date) so nonprofits can win without having to build the infrastructure themselves. Click here to learn more.
What is the Children’s Holiday Fund?
Picking up a mantle initially championed by the Daily Press 100 years ago, PCF raises the money that supports this fund every year, and from it provides a competitive grant opportunity to local nonprofit organizations. This program is special because it focuses on smaller nonprofits who are part of families’ lives all the time, year ‘round. So they know their deepest needs. They plan their holiday programs accordingly - to meet real needs AND bring real holiday joy, at the same time. ADD LINK ONCE CHF PAGE HAS SPONSOR LOGOS AND IS PUBLISHED Click here to learn more.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Yes. PCF is a 501(c)(3) public charity. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. EIN: 54-2057957
Does the Foundation offer competitive grant opportunities for nonprofits?
Yes. Our Children’s Holiday fund offers grant opportunities for nonprofits each year focused on children and families. Click here for more information on how to give, and how this grant program works. And we support the Impact 100 Group Giving program that provides grants of up to $50,000 each through their competitive grant program. Click here for details on how to join this initiative, and on the grant application process.
Where is the Foundation located?
In the heart of downtown Hampton at 48 West Queens Way.
How are the Foundation’s assets invested, and who oversees those decisions?
PCF’s balance sheet reflects the steady growth of assets entrusted to us by generous donors and community partners. These assets include donor-advised funds, agency funds, designated and field-of-interest funds, scholarship funds, and endowments established to support charitable causes today and for generations to come.
The growth of our assets is a direct result of:
- Thoughtful philanthropy from donors across the Peninsula
- Prudent financial management and oversight by our Board of Directors and Finance/Investment Committee
- Long-term investment strategies designed to preserve and grow charitable resources
By building and sustaining a strong financial foundation, PCF is able to respond to current community needs while also ensuring future generations benefit from enduring charitable investments.
The growth of our assets is a direct result of:
- Thoughtful philanthropy from donors across the Peninsula
- Prudent financial management and oversight by our Board of Directors and Finance/Investment Committee
- Long-term investment strategies designed to preserve and grow charitable resources
By building and sustaining a strong financial foundation, PCF is able to respond to current community needs while also ensuring future generations benefit from enduring charitable investments.