Empowering the Four Corners region and beyond
The Virga Story
The Virga Foundation is an ode to virga formations familiar to the southwestern United States where the Foundation is based. Virga refers to streams of raindrops, snow, or ice crystals which fall from cloud formations but evaporate before ever reaching the ground. This moisture may be propelled by the wind to form the seeds of true storms hundreds of miles from the virga’s origination. The Virga Foundation acknowledges the escalating uncertainty, and chaos all around us as we bear witness to large and small storms that evaporate our ability to thrive.
The Virga Foundation was founded in 2022 after the sale of a 50-year old internationally successful family business. Our philanthropic outreach is genuine and community driven. We prioritize thoughtful approaches that help facilitate transformative change and additionally support more immediate forms of emergency aid.
We currently focus a majority of our giving within the greater Four Corners region of the Southwest US, with a select handful of national and international concerns. Our Core Focus currently includes Environmental Stewardship, Youth and Social Empowerment, Indigenous Sovereignty, and The Arts.
Photo: Tim Peterson®
The Virga Mission
The Virga Foundation mission is to act locally to support nonprofit organizations committed to building a more empowered, environmentally sustainable, and self-determined Four Corners Region of the Southwest US. In addition, the Virga Foundation also considers select legacy initiatives of national and international concern.
The Virga Vision
The Virga vision is one of simple, purposeful, and authentic giving in order to nurture uplifting positive change in our communities. These are communities where organizations are immersed in their work through their presence, strategy, and vision, while building a brighter future together.
“Through a shared vision and love for the lands and people of Southwest Colorado, MLC and Virga are working together to expand land conservation and to bring the benefits of conservation to as many people in our community as possible.”
— Montezuma Land Conservancy
Photo: Montezuma Land Conservancy
Contact
If you are interested in the Virga Foundation and would like more information, please fill out the form and drop us a line.
The Virga Foundation Board of Directors and Staff is comprised of:
Mike Pfotenhauer, Virga Foundation Founding Director
Diane Wren, Virga Foundation Founding Director
Rory Pfotenhauer, Virga Foundation President
Sam Mix, Virga Foundation Executive Director