Peninsula Community foundation FAQs
Why was the Peninsula Community Foundation created?
While our neighbors have excellent community foundations to the East and West, our founders realized that the Peninsula needed its own anchoring organization. The Virginia Peninsula was the largest region in Virginia not represented by a Community Foundation so PCF was created to serve the entire Peninsula — maintaining a “view from the balcony” to keep the greater community in mind.
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.
What does it mean to be “the guy the guy counts on”?
It means we are not always the frontline service provider; instead, we serve those who serve our neighbors. We keep our ear to the ground to identify the greatest needs across the Peninsula and connect them with the people, businesses, and resources that can make a difference. We make it easy for others to care for the community.
What specific geographic areas does PCF serve?
Primarily, we serve the six municipalities of the Peninsula: Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, James City County, and Williamsburg.
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.
- C – Capacity Building: We empower organizations to do more, better, and to tackle what they can't alone. We also conduct in-depth community research to help ensure decisions 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.
What is the scale of PCF’s financial impact?
We are currently home to more than 100 funds—including Donor-Advised Funds, endowments, scholarships, and teacher support funds. Since 2011, more than $37 million has been channeled through the Foundation into the community, including over $4.2 million in 2024 alone.
What is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)?
A donor advised fund is a philanthropic vehicle established at a public charity like a Community Foundation. It allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund over time.
Does PCF work with my existing financial advisor or attorney?
Yes. We are the partner that professional advisors count on. We provide the local charitable expertise that complements your advisor’s financial or legal planning, ensuring your philanthropic goals are met effectively.
Can I create a fund for a specific cause, like teacher support?
Absolutely. Our 100+ funds include diverse areas of interest. Whether you want to support students through scholarships, teachers in the classroom, or a specific nonprofit through an endowment, we facilitate the creative pathway to make it happen.
Is it possible to convert a private foundation to a donor advised fund?
By converting your private foundation to a donor advised fund, you maintain the name and advisory capacity over grant making while we manage administrative duties (accounting, due diligence, and IRS reporting). Benefits include:
- Tax deductions of as much as 50% AGI are possible
- 5% annual pay out is not required
- Excise taxes do not apply
What is the Center for Community Research?
The Center is our program dedicated to filling a gap that few others have the time or resources to tackle: objective, community issue research. By providing an "outside-in" lens on pressing topics, we inform solutions that cut across municipal lines.
How does Give Local 757 benefit local nonprofits?
Many nonprofits cannot afford the resources to run a massive 24-hour giving campaign. PCF provides the platform and capacity, raising over $14 million to date so nonprofits can win without building the infrastructure themselves.
What is the Children’s Holiday Fund?
Picking up a mantle initially championed by the Daily Press 100 years ago, this fund provides grants to local organizations ensuring that the holiday season is bright for children across the Virginia Peninsula.
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.
How can I see a "snapshot" of your work?
You can download our "PCF At a Glance" handout—a quick dashboard of information about what we do, why we do it, and how we serve the Peninsula.
