We collaborate with our community partners to enhance the health and wellbeing for the Virginia residents of Washington, Grayson, Russell and Smyth counties by cultivating goal-oriented partnerships.

No. The Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia is the former Johnston Memorial Healthcare Foundation. 

This can be confusing, because there is a very similarly named organization, the Johnston Memorial Hospital (JMH) Foundation, which many people have supported in the past. 

The JMH Foundation has not been affected by the creation of Wellspring and continues its fundraising activities and operations. Any past gifts to that organization remain on their books and at work on behalf of the hospital. 

Prior to 2009, Johnston Memorial Hospital was an independent, community-owned hospital. That year, the JMH Healthcare Foundation chose to enter a joint venture with Mountain States Health Alliance (MSHA), selling that organization 50.1% of the hospital. The proceeds from that transaction were used to build and equip the new hospital facility.

In 2018, MSHA merged with Wellmont Health System to become Ballad Health.

In November 2021, the Johnston Memorial Healthcare Foundation agreed to sell Ballad Health the remaining 49.9% of the hospital. Funds resulting from that sale are now the core endowment of the Wellspring Foundation.

Up until November 2021, any Foundation-related funds were reinvested in the hospital through the construction of a new facility, addition of new services and upgrading existing services and equipment, among other things. The Foundation considered this an important investment in our community. 

The sale of the remaining interest in the hospital provided the Foundation access to the funds and the ability to put them to work through direct grants or disbursements on behalf of the health and wellbeing for the Virginia residents of Washington, Grayson, Russell and Smyth counties through goal-oriented partnerships.

Going forward, the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia will leverage collaborative partnerships to promote a healthy, thriving region.

The monies that the Foundation received following the 2009 sale of 50.1% of Johnston Memorial Hospital were reinvested in the hospital. These helped fund construction of a new facility, upgrade existing services and equipment and add new services. The Johnston Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s board of directors considered these actions part of an essential partnership between the hospital and what would become Ballad Health, and a significant investment in our community that would generate lasting benefits.

Now that Ballad Health has purchased the remaining 49.9% ownership of Johnston Memorial Hospital, the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia has direct and sole access to the funds and the autonomy to support aligned programs in the communities we serve. 

Yes, this transition provided 100% ownership of the hospital to Ballad Health.

We feel confident that Ballad Health will continue to operate the facility with steadfast leadership and the best interests of our community at the forefront of each decision.

Additionally, the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia views Ballad Health as a partner on initiatives that align with the Foundation’s Vision, Mission and Values. 

The Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia accepts electronic Grant Applications.

If you are interested in submitting an application, please review our grant guidelines prior to completing the online application.

You can review the online application tutorial HERE before submitting an application.

The Foundation will consider supporting a variety of projects and initiatives, but we are keen on supporting programs that enhance the health and wellbeing of our populations on a broad scale and preserve and strengthen the fabric of community. Such programs might address: 

• Health
• Children & Families
• Workforce Development
• Education
• Economic Development

The board has a committee in place that will review funding requests in the areas of interest that are most strategically linked to our operating philosophy.

We recognize there are numerous worthwhile causes that can use support. However, the Foundation is most keen on supporting projects, programs or services that not only align with our core philosophies, but also will have lasting and transformative impact on the communities we serve. 

As a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) Foundation, the annual disbursement will vary from year to year. However, generally speaking, our goal is to award up to 5% of our assets annually.

The funds that created Wellspring Foundation came from the sale of Johnston Memorial Hospital, which is based in Washington County, Virginia, our primary service area.

However, many of the providers, staff and patients of the hospital come from neighboring counties and communities that we also support and consider home. Those neighboring communities include Grayson, Russell and Smyth counties.

Yes. Our goal is to provide support to other 501(c)(3) organizations, both financially and through strategic partnerships and other collaborative opportunities. 

However, many of the providers, staff and patients of the hospital come from neighboring counties and communities that we also support and consider home. Those neighboring communities include Grayson, Russell and Smyth counties.

We realize our community members have a great deal of interest in understanding how they can capitalize on these transformational funding opportunities.

If you have a request that aligns with our Vision, Mission and Values and impacts one or more of our areas of interest, please review our grant guidelines prior to completing the online application.

The Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia accepts electronic Grant Applications.

• You can review the online application tutorial HERE before submitting an application.

The online grant application is available year-round but there are currently two specific grant cycles each year.

Please review those dates and deadlines in our grant guidelines to ensure your application is submitted by the appropriate deadline.

The Foundation’s office is currently located in the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator in Washington County, Virginia. Our board of directors has established a committee to oversee the process for identifying a permanent location in Washington County, and we look forward to providing additional details once a location has been selected. 

Currently, our staff includes an executive director, a director of operations, a director of engagement, a director of finance and an administrative assistant. The Foundation has a robust board of directors that volunteers time and guidance as needed. As the Foundation’s scope of work expands, additional hires may be considered at the appropriate time.