Aimee and Frank Batten, Jr. Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Aimee and Frank Batten, Jr. Foundation supports Christian causes, education, arts, and human services in Virginia.

FUNDING AREAS: Christian causes, education, arts, human services

IP TAKE: This is primarily a funder of religious causes and a low-key grantmaker that is hard to get to know even for local nonprofits.

PROFILE: Established in 1998, the Aimee and Frank Batten, Jr. Foundation is a private family foundation based in Norfolk, Virginia. Frank Batten, Jr. is the president, chairman, and CEO of Landmark Media Enterprises that that owns data centers, small newspapers, and technology businesses. This company is a spin-off from Landmark Communications after the sale of The Weather Channel. The Batten Foundation funds local efforts for Christian causes, education, arts, and human services.

The Aimee and Frank Batten, Jr. Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, the founder is known to be an entrepreneur, community-minded, religious, private, and interested in investing in technology. The couple’s foundation supports a variety of causes that are often, but not always, based in Virginia. The Batten Foundation often supports Christian schools and Bible-based programs. On other occasions, its support extends to food banks and more general social and human services efforts.

Grants range between about $100,000 and $1 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Virginia and the Norfolk area. Other Virginia grantees are based in Virginia Beach, Harrisonburg, and Marshall. In 2019, the foundation granted $10 million to the Mariners’ Museum in order to ensure the museum’s $1 admission. Other past local grantees include Norfolk Christian Schools, Global Friendship Ventures, and Grace Bible Church.

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Instead, it only makes contributions to pre-selected charitable organizations. Direct general questions to the staff at 757-351-8800.

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