The Virginia Deer Hunters Educational and Habitat Foundation's purpose is to educate the public on the responsibility of wildlife habitat and provide college scholarship. The Foundation has qualified under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501 (C) (3). This will allow donors to deduct contributions they make under IRC Section 170 that is separate from the Virginia Deer Hunters Association’s (VDHA) operating budget. The Foundation also qualifies to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under this code and no contribution is considered too small. 

All contributions made to the Foundation will be earmarked for Education or Wildlife Habitat Enhancement of public lands. Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students studying Forestry, Conservation, Whitetailed Deer Management, Conservation Law Enforcement and VDGIF Internships at accredited colleges. These scholarships will be funded through private donations and certain fundraising activities by the VDHA. 

The Foundation will also support the preserving and expanding of wildlife habitat with such activities as purchasing equipment, providing landscaping materials such as fruit trees, seed, fertilizer, lime and other environmental activities as needed. The Foundation will work with the U.S. Forest Service, The National Wildlife Refuge, The State and National Park Service, The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and The Virginia Wildlife Habitat Coalition. By working together, this partnership will set high standards, that will greatly benefit our wildlife natural resources for all Virginians! 

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Our first project for the foundation has been completed at Sandy Point State Forest in King William County. The purpose of the project was to improves white-tailed deer habitat within forest openings. We planted 10 acres of clover and a cover crop of oats during the fall of 2018. This cooperative project with the Department of Forestry- State Forest Division and Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will benefit multiple wildlife species, improve public land hunter satisfaction and improve opportunities for outreach and education for all Virginians through these wildlife and hunter related outdoor experiences. The forest is open to hunting and the Virginia Deer Hunters Educational and Habitat Foundation is honored to play a role in this public land outreach program! 

New projects are being considered. Our Foundation is pleased to be working with state and federal agencies to improve public land wildlife habitat. These projects will play a major role in the future of wildlife and hunting!