Farrell Foundation

The Farrell Foundation (also known as the Berglund Foundation) is a family-led private foundation based in Roanoke, Virginia, established in 1988. Led by Bruce M. Farrell (CEO) and William J. Farrell II (President/Treasurer), the foundation operates with a relationship-driven, invitation-style grantmaking model. Rather than issuing open RFPs or maintaining formal grant cycles, the foundation accepts letters of inquiry accompanied by brochures or supporting materials on a rolling basis. The foundation's strategy centers on high-impact anchor grants to cornerstone Roanoke institutions — most prominently Carilion Clinic — supplemented by smaller community grants to clinics, housing, and education. The $2M grant to Carilion Clinic Foundation in 2024 reflects a concentrated, trust-based model where the Farrell family channels philanthropic capital into the regional healthcare infrastructure they have deep ties to. Their approach is not program-competitive but rather legacy- and relationship-oriented.

In fiscal year 2024, the Farrell Foundation distributed $2,045,000 across at least 16 grants. The single largest grant was $2,000,000 to Carilion Clinic Foundation — an extraordinary concentration representing 97% of annual grantmaking. Supporting grants ranged from $5,000 (Bradley Free Clinic, Restoration Housing) to $51,500 (Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation) and $50,000 (Wake Forest University). The median grant size is approximately $2,250, indicating that beyond the anchor healthcare commitment, most community grants are small awards in the $1,000–$10,000 range. Historically the foundation has supported arts and culture, law enforcement and public safety, Catholic organizations, human services, animal welfare, and education alongside health. Total assets stood at $6.28M in 2024, down 26.9% year-over-year as the large Carilion disbursement drew down reserves. Annual giving typically ran $400K–$500K in normal years; 2024 was an exceptional outlier.

The Farrell Foundation is a mid-size family private foundation operating alongside larger regional funders like the Community Foundation of Western Virginia. Its distinguishing trait is the outsized healthcare commitment — the $2M Carilion grant dwarfs typical peer-foundation annual giving. For nonprofits outside healthcare, the foundation behaves more like a small community funder with typical grants of $1,000–$10,000.

In fiscal year 2024, the Farrell Foundation made a landmark $2,000,000 grant to the Carilion Clinic Foundation — its single largest recorded disbursement — representing a dramatic 380% increase in total expenses over fiscal year 2023. Additional 2024 grantees included Carilion Clinic directly ($172,360), Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation ($51,500), Wake Forest University ($50,000), Bradley Free Clinic of Roanoke Valley ($5,000), and Restoration Housing ($5,000). Foundation revenues surged 118% in 2024 to $1.16M, driven partly by a 299% increase in investment income. Total assets declined from approximately $8.6M to $6.3M as disbursements exceeded revenue. The foundation filed Form 990-PF most recently in November 2024. No new public grant announcements or program changes were identified as of early 2026.

1. Submit a concise letter of inquiry with a brochure or supporting materials — the foundation's stated preference is a letter with brochure, not a full proposal. Keep the initial ask brief and compelling. 2. Call first: the foundation contact is Anne Feazelle at (540) 344-1461. A brief phone conversation before submitting is consistent with relationship-driven family foundation norms and can confirm current priorities. 3. Roanoke-area nonprofits have a strong advantage — virtually all known grantees are Roanoke-based or Southwest Virginia institutions. 4. Healthcare, education, and community services are the most fundable categories; arts, human services, Catholic organizations, and animal welfare have also received support. 5. There are no formal deadlines — apply at any time on a rolling basis. 6. Calibrate your ask to the $5,000–$50,000 range for a first-time approach; the foundation's largest gifts go to long-standing institutional relationships with the Farrell family.