

Stone is just the start of…
GIVING BACK TO OUR communities
A Foundation of Giving
Luck Companies has a long history of giving back to our communities. In 1967, we took it a step further and established the Luck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Luck Companies. Today, the Foundation is a thriving, impact-driven entity that is focused on two strategic pillars of giving: Values Based Leadership (VBL) and Environmental Stewardship.
We are also committed to giving to organizations that strengthen the communities in which we operate by donating to critical community organizations like fire departments and free clinics.
Values Based Leadership
VBL ties directly to our mission of igniting human potential, and this pillar enables us to support leadership development, education, coaching, and VBL research. The Foundation contributes to organizations with a wide range of needs, spanning the leadership development of non-profit board members to organizations focused on building leadership skills in students and young adults.
“We believe that by developing leadership skills in people, leaders can solve bigger problems with the organizations they serve,” said Wanda Ortwine, Chief Family Officer at Luck Companies.
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation
One long-time grantee of our Foundation’s VBL pillar is the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. The organization shares a property line with our Charlottesville Plant. As the owner of Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, it preserves the property and provides education about his life.
“We proudly support the Thomas Jefferson Foundation’s Promise Grants program which provides $5,000 grants to descendants of Monticello’s enslaved families pursuing post-secondary education,” said Doug Palmore, President of Luck Stone.
Additionally, we sponsor the “Citizen Leadership Medal,” an esteemed award given jointly by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation and the University of Virginia.
Environmental Stewardship
Our commitment to environmental stewardship is demonstrated by the organizations we support. These organizations are responsible for educating the community on the importance of stewarding our natural resources and developing programs and efforts that improve and protect the environment.
Another longstanding grantee is the James River Association, which strives to keep the James River healthy with robust programs and resources. Our foundation contributes to the James River Leadership Expeditions (JRLE), which provides environmental education programs to over 13,000 students across the James River watershed. It supports, trains, and inspires participants to take personal and community- wide action to address issues facing the river. The yearlong program culminates with a leadership-focused environmental capstone project, in which students propose a solution for a problem impacting the health of the James River watershed.
“Our priority placed on environmental stewardship led us to a partnership with the James River Association, which has been mutually beneficial for many years,” said Mark Williams, Environmental Manager at Luck Companies. “Our company works on the river, we volunteer for cleanups, we assist with the development of parks and recreation opportunities, and we share the enthusiasm of the JRLE students as we explore the many opportunities that the James River offers to us. Luck Companies is proud to be a sponsor of the James River Leadership Expeditions, and we are inspired by these young leaders of a new generation of environmental stewards.”
Gift of Giving
Amplifying Our Giving to Celebrate 100 Years
In 2023, Luck Companies celebrated our 100th anniversary, and igniting human potential in our communities was a cornerstone of the yearlong celebration. We surprised associates with the “Gift of Giving”—an opportunity for each of them to grant $1,000 from the Luck Foundation to a non-profit that held special meaning to them.
“This mission-aligned campaign was an incredibly important pillar of our 100th anniversary program,” said Charlie Luck, Chairman and CEO of Luck Companies. “In addition to expanding the reach of our annual giving, we wanted to offer associates the opportunity to follow their hearts and their passions, perhaps in a way they hadn’t ever done before. We encouraged them to talk with family and friends about the organizations to support, to think deeply about their values, and to align their decision with those values.”
Having an Impact by Helping Our Communities
“Our Gift of Giving campaign coordinators received over 600 heartfelt stories of how the nonprofit organizations had positively impacted the lives of the associates, their families, and their communities,” Charlie said. “Together, we had a significant impact on the lives of others. That is a true testament to our associates’ leadership and the culture of care we’re propelling at Luck Companies.”
We are proud of our associates’ full participation and for the impact the campaign had:
associate participation
organizations served
organizations served
“When my wife needed treatment in New York City, Mercy Medical connected us to Angel Flights Mid-Atlantic, a network of private pilots providing flights to those needing transportation to medical appointments.
This organization will always be very near and dear to my heart. I am pleased to know that my donation could help another patient/family get the medical treatment they need without the worry of distance.”
“I chose Healing Transitions as the organization I wanted to donate the $1,000 to. I donated in honor of my son and all those who have been addicted to either drugs or alcohol.
My son had gone through a rehab program already, but this is the one that really worked. He is now a productive citizen, with his own company, and helps those that have been through Healing Transitions’ incredible program.”
WHAT WE HEARD FROM RECIPIENTS:
Children’s Hospital Foundation (CHoR)
“The Children’s Hospital Foundation is thrilled to be a beneficiary of your Luck Companies 100th Anniversary Fund! Nine Luck team members made generous gifts in response to your effort, and we are honored and excited to thank them and you for this. Your support directly enhances the ability of our team at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU to provide world-class care to children and families. At the Children’s Hospital of Richmond, we too believe in the power of our people, the people who are providing children’s care and the patients and families we serve. This shared value makes it even more special that some of your colleagues chose to support CHoR during your 100th year.”
Capital Area Rescue Effort (CARE)
“We have recently received a $1,000 grant from you. Thank you for your generous grant to Capital Area Rescue Effort (CARE). We are thrilled to have your support. You are truly making a difference in the lives of homeless dogs, and we are extremely grateful.”
The Mustard Tree Louisa Chapter
“Thank you for your generous grant award to The Mustard Tree Louisa Chapter. The funds will be used toward education and ministry opportunities. Others will be blessed by your generosity.”
“It’s amazing the reach this initiative had on the communities where we operate, allowing associates to contribute to them in a meaningful way.”
In support of the Foundation, associate Julie Hutchins, received numerous letters of thanks from organizations benefiting from the Gift of Giving.
“In 2021, my wife was diagnosed with ALS.
The ALS Society has helped her proactively prepare for the challenges that she will inevitably face such as mobility issues and losing the ability to speak. They have funded her voice banking which will allow her voice to be replicated by a computer. The comfort of knowing that her family and friends will continue to hear her voice is beyond measure.”
“I donated to Special Olympics Virginia Area 31 because I have a cousin with Down syndrome.
When he was born, his parents were told to just put him in a home. Luckily, for the rest of the family, they didn’t do that. Growing up with Bill was a joy. He competed in the Special Olympics for years and I went to quite a few of the events to support him. Seeing the support and love the volunteers gave those kids has stuck with me all these years.”