Battens' donations have given lift to many

From quiet gifts to underprivileged children to donations that support universities, the touch of Landmark Communications Inc. is felt across Hampton Roads.

While the newspaper may be the most visible local feature of the Landmark company, it's the charitable foundation that spreads millions of dollars throughout the community each year to human services and educational needs.

The announcement that Landmark was exploring selling its media properties raised concern about the fate of its foundation.

Frank Batten Jr., the company's chairman and chief executive officer, said Thursday afternoon that Landmark Communications Foundation would be kept separate from any sale and will continue to focus on the local community.

"We want to continue charitable giving," Batten said. "I don't think it will have a big impact on charitable giving in Hampton Roads."

Founded in 1953, the foundation has grown through annual contributions from its major media holdings to an endowment that tops $90 million.

Bruce Bradley, president and publisher of The Virginian-Pilot, told staff members during a meeting that, "The intent is for the foundation to continue to exist," even if the company does not.

In 2007, the foundation gave $2.2 million in contributions to the Hampton Roads community on behalf of The Virginian-Pilot. The foundation's local donations focused on human services and education, as well as arts and culture.

Some of the organizations that received funding included the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College, Oasis Social Ministry, Union Mission Ministries and The United Way of South Hampton Roads.

The $2.2 million in local gifts constituted more than half of the $4 million donated by the foundation last year. The foundation also made donations in other communities where Landmark divisions are located, along with a contribution on behalf of The Weather Channel to an environmental education group.

Mike Hughes, president and CEO of United Way of South Hampton Roads, said Landmark Communications founder Frank Batten Sr. has always pledged to support the residents of this community, "and he has done that in fine style."

He said the foundation has not only been a top contributor to United Way but provided help in establishing the Raising A Reader program, which has promoted literacy skills to thousands of preschool children.

In addition to contributions made by the foundation, Frank Batten Sr. has made personal gifts to local, state and national educational institutions, including a $100 million donation to the University of Virginia last year for a school of leadership and public policy.

In 2003, Batten and wife, Jane, donated $142 million to higher education, including $32 million to Old Dominion University; $11.3 million to the College of William and Mary; and $11.2 million each to Virginia Wesleyan College and the Tidewater Scholarship Foundation, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

E. Dana Dickens, president and chief executive officer of the Hampton Roads Partnership, a regional business group, said Landmark's presence is "huge," reaching into "every community in the region."

Apart from its numerous financial contributions to local institutions, Landmark also provides a steady stream of executive talent who serve on local boards, he said.

"The leadership that Landmark provides is phenomenal," said Dickens, the former mayor of Suffolk. "If it is sold, there is a chance we will lose some of the leadership we have in the region.... That's something you don't want to see."

Angelica Light, president and CEO of The Norfolk Foundation, a local philanthropic organization, said that the Landmark Communications Foundation has set a standard of excellence in reviewing proposals and weighing the benefits of its charitable investments.

The foundation has always been very clear in its focus and mission, Light said. "It's been supportive of improving educational achievements, from early childhood support to the collegiate level," she said.

Tom Holden, (757) 446-2331, tom.holden@pilotonline.com

Elizabeth Simpson, (757) 446-2635, elizabeth.simpson@pilotonline.com