The Elmo Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a diverse range of causes, with a significant focus on environmental conservation, human services, and education. Its mission reflects a commitment to improving community well-being through funding initiatives that address housing, mental health, youth development, and justice. The foundation actively supports organizations that advocate for worker rights, assist refugees, and promote animal welfare. Overall, it aims to foster positive social change and enhance the quality of life for various populations through its philanthropic efforts.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small to mid-sized nonprofits with clear programmatic fit in environment, housing, education, health or community services, and a connection or introduction into the foundation’s network or local ecosystem.
Good Fit
- • Work in environment, affordable housing, education, mental health, or community human services (these appear frequently in grants).
- • Located in or has demonstrated impact in Virginia or can show strong regional relevance.
- • Existing relationship, referral, or prior engagement with a current grantee or local connector.
- • Projects sized to the foundation’s typical grant amounts (many awards around $5K–$25K with occasional larger grants).
Geography
Grants were made across 19 states in the latest year and a majority of dollars (55%) went outside the foundation state, showing a multi-state footprint despite a concentration of about 45% in Virginia.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded roughly 44–46 distinct recipients each year with a broad mix of sectors (environment, housing, education, health and others), and many independent organizations appear in the portfolio rather than a tiny closed set.
New Applicants
Form filings and the foundation’s application metadata indicate grants are typically to preselected applicants, but the observed grant history shows regular new recipients each year (17 new in 2023, 12 new in 2024), so new entrants have been added though likely via invitation, referral, or targeted outreach rather than an open public competition.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
