Private foundation · EIN 54-1771747 · Roanoke, Virginia · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Rugaber Family Fund

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 57 grants paid, $241K total, median $1,000. 56% of grants stayed in Virginia.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
57
$241K
Median grant
$1,000
Stays in VA
56%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$3.5M

Grants paid in 2025

57 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Virginia Lutheran HomesRoanoke, VATo further reliagous outreach$120K
Mayberry Presbyterian ChurchMeadows of Dan, VAReligious$15K
Dickinson CollegeCarlisle, PAEducation$11K
Cardinal NewsRoanoke, VAJournalism$10K
Smith CollegeNorthampton, MAEducation$5,000
Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MAEducation$5,000
United Way of Rke ValleyRoanoke, VAGeneral social programs$5,000
Grace Episcopal ChurchSilver Spring, MDChurch$5,000
Floyd County Humane SocietyFloyd, VAAnimal services$5,000
Presbyterian Community CenterRoanoke, VATo increase religous outreach$5,000
Taubman Museum of ArtRoanoke, VAArt exhibits$4,500
Roanoke Symphony OrchestraRoanoke, VASymphony performance$2,500
Agnes Scott CollegeDecatur, GAEducation$2,500
Hollins UniversityRoanoke, VAEducation$2,500
Curry CollegeMilton, MAEducation$2,500
Virginia HumanitiesCharlotesville, VAArts$2,500
Roanoke Women's FoundationRoanoke, VAWomen's charitable giving$2,100
Uplift NorthwestSeattle, WAJob readiness$2,000
Virginians for the ArtsRichmond, VAArt exhibits$1,000
Eleanor D Wilson MuseumRichmond, VAArt exhibits$1,000
The Nature Conservancy VaCharlottesville, VAConservation$1,000
Family Service of Rke ValleyRoanoke, VAFamily assistance$1,000
SafetyropeStuart, VAEmergency utility assistance$1,000
Real ChangeSeattle, WAHomeless assistance programs$1,000
Ferrum CollegeFerrum, VAEducation$1,000
Seattle's Union Gospel MissionSeattle, WAHomeless assistance programs$1,000
Blue Ridge Parkway FoundationWinston Salem, NCConservation$1,000
Seattle Animal ShelterSeattle, WAAnimal rescue$1,000
Caring Hearts Free Clinic of PatricStuart, VAHealthcare for needy$1,000
Junior Achievement of SwvaRoanoke, VAEducation & prof. develop$1,000
Opera RoanokeRoanoke, VAArts$1,000
Meadows of Dan Volunteer Fire DeptMeadows of Dan, VAVolunteer fire dept$1,000
Virginia Public Access ProjectRichmond, VAPublic information$1,000
Virginia Tech FoundationBlacksburg, VAEducation$1,000
Roanoke CollegeSalem, VAEducation$1,000
Vesta Rescue SquadMeadows of Dan, VAVolunteer rescue squad$1,000
New River Land TrustBlacksburg, VAConservation$1,000
Floyd Center for the ArtsFloyd, VAArts$1,000
Facing HomelessnessSeattle, WAWelfare$1,000
King-Fm 981 Classical MusicSeattle, WAMusic$1,000
Pacific Northwest BalletSeattle, WAArts$1,000
PawsLynnwood, WAAnimal protection$1,000
Planned Parenthood of the Great NorSeattle, WAWelfare$1,000
Seattle Aquarium SocietySeattle, WAAnimal enthusiasts$1,000
Animal Welfare League of ArlingtonArlington, VAAnimal sheltering and control$1,000
Arlington ThriveArlington, VACommunity outreach$1,000
Colony CatsColombus, OHAnimal rescue$1,000
Society of St AndrewsBig Island, VAEnd hunger programs$650
Literacy Vol Rke ValleyRoanoke, VALiteracy for adults$500
Ahc IncArlington, VAAffordable housing$500
Seattle Area Feline RescueShoreline, WAAnimal rescue$500
HopewayCharlotte, NCHealth$500
White Center Food BankSeattle, WAEnd hunger programs$500
Ballard Food BankSeattle, WAEnd hunger programs$500
National Psoriasis FoundationPortland, ORMedical research$250
American Chestnut FoundationAsheville, NCConservation$250
Blood Cancer UnitedNew York, NYHealth$250

By state: Virginia 32 · Massachusetts 3 · Washington 13 · Pennsylvania 1 · Maryland 1 · Georgia 1

About this foundation

Rugaber Family Fund is a private grantmaking foundation in Roanoke, Virginia, administered in care of Walter F Rugaber Jr, tax-exempt since 1996. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Rugaber Family Fund accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Rugaber Family Fund give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $241K across 57 grants, a median of $1,000.

Where does Rugaber Family Fund give?

Virginia (32 grants), Massachusetts (3 grants), Washington (13 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Roanoke that accept applications

All in Virginia
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Sam and Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation Incsince 1958 Roanoke, VA $1.3M1 grants · 2024 $1.3MYes $23M
Robertson Family Foundation Incsince 2002 Roanoke, VA $879K44 grants · 2025 $13KYes $13M
Mary Sue Collins Foundationsince 2019 Roanoke, VA $348K19 grants · 2025 $5,531Yes $7.5M
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