The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation is a private foundation in Chantilly, Virginia. In tax year 2025 it gave $614,500 in 38 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $150,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$614,500
- Number of grants38
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$150,000
- Assets$6.1 million
- New grantees16%
Giving in 2025 was up from $601,500 the year before.
16% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $518,500 | 46 | $5.2 million |
| 2024 | $601,500 | 42 | $5.8 million |
| 2025 | $614,500 | 38 | $6.1 million |
How to apply
The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 15 states, the most to District of Columbia.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 12 | $303,500 |
| Connecticut | 3 | $97,000 |
| Maryland | 3 | $86,000 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $60,000 |
| Virginia | 6 | $23,000 |
| Vermont | 1 | $15,000 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $10,000 |
| New York | 3 | $6,000 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $5,500 |
| Colorado | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Arc | General purpose | $150,000 |
| Americares | General purpose | $75,000 |
| 1 Uphandles Inc | General purpose | $60,000 |
| Blackwater Bicycle Association | General purpose | $60,000 |
| Bishop Walker School | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Capital Area Food Bank | General purpose | $30,000 |
| Sustainable Harvest International | General purpose | $30,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Save the Sound | General purpose | $20,000 |
| Cancer Vaccine Coalition | General purpose | $15,000 |
| Erin Peterson Fund | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Manna Food Bank | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Martha's Table | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Salvation Army | General purpose | $10,000 |
| Feeding America | General purpose | $8,500 |
| Some (So Others Might Eat) | General purpose | $8,000 |
| American Indian College Fund | General purpose | $5,000 |
| DC Central Kitchen | General purpose | $5,000 |
| Smile Train | General purpose | $5,000 |
| Wamu 885 American University | General purpose | $5,000 |
| Weta | General purpose | $5,000 |
| Arlington Food Assistance Center | General purpose | $2,500 |
| Food for Others | General purpose | $2,500 |
| Branford Land Trust | General purpose | $2,000 |
| Signature Theater | General purpose | $2,000 |
| Fairvote | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Macular Degeneration Association | General purpose | $1,000 |
| National Wildlife Federation | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Project Hope | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Valley Youth House | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Charity Navigator | General purpose | $500 |
| Consumer Reports | General purpose | $500 |
| Consumers' Checkbook | General purpose | $500 |
| Operation Homefront | General purpose | $500 |
| St Joseph's Indian School | General purpose | $500 |
| UNICEF USA | General purpose | $500 |
| Wikimedia Foundation Inc | General purpose | $500 |
| Yale New Haven Hospital | General purpose | $500 |
Officers and trustees
- Betty Flanders Foster
- Philip Rodney Lawrence Jr
- Amanda Foster Spahr
- Paul Wesley Foster III
- Julia Heather Hanks
Questions people ask
Does The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation give?
$614,500 in tax year 2025, across 38 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Betty Flanders Foster (Pres/Director), Philip Rodney Lawrence Jr (Vp/Treasurer/Director), Amanda Foster Spahr (Vp/Director) and Paul Wesley Foster III (Vp/Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does The Betty and Wes Foster Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, international and food and hunger.