EWVCF, Author at Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation

April 7, 2014 By EWVCF

Historic Window Workshop

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation Two Rivers Giving Circle Fund and the Historic Shepherdstown Commission each awarded $1,000 grants to Shepherd University to help restore historic windows in the Entler-Weltzheimer House on High Street and fund a “Windows Workshop” by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV). The two-day event, which was held on the campus of Shepherd University Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6, was well attended as 35 men and women participated in the “hands-on” educational effort.

Directed by Lynn Stasick, PAWV Statewide Field Services Representative, with assistance from AmeriCorps volunteer Rodney Bohner, Shepherd University Historic Preservation Coordinator Keith Alexander, and Allegheny Restoration’s Derrick Smith, the workshop introduced attendees to new techniques to safely remove historic glass, strip lead paint from the sashes, restore rotten wood, and install weatherstripping. After the workshop Stasick was thrilled when one of the women who attended told him she had been planning on replacing all of her old windows, but will now restore the historic sashes instead. “When we convince someone to restore rather than replace, we feel that a workshop like this has been a great success.” stated Stasick, who demonstrated the latest technology, including two of his own inventions – specialized steam devices for removing glass panes and stripping lead paint from historic sashes and moulding.

Members of the Two Rivers Giving Circle Fund each contribute a minimum of $500 annually to help underwrite grants and build endowment to support preservation and conservation efforts. Grant applications are accepted in the summer, reviewed in October, and awards are announced in late Fall. Additionally, the Two Rivers Giving Circle members annually honor a leader in the field of preservation or conservation during their annual picnic in late summer. For more information about the Two Rivers Giving Circle contact coordinators Wayne Braunstein at [email protected] or Dannie Wall at [email protected] or call the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation office at 304-264-0353,

February 4, 2014 By EWVCF

Visionary Fund Established

$25,000 + 100 Years = $1.3 Million in Grants and a $25 Million Endowment

Martinsburg, West Virginia – Inspired by the 100th anniversary of the founding of America’s first community foundation, the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) has launched a campaign to raise $25,000 to create its first Visionary Fund; an endowment that will be invested with the organization’s other assets and, over the next 100 years, grow to more than $25 million. Along the way, the Visionary Fund will distribute more than $1.3 million to area nonprofit organizations and, beginning in 2114, grant approximately $1.2 million annually to fund the Eastern Panhandle’s most pressing charitable needs.

“We believe in providing a lasting legacy for generations to come, and through the power of compounding will be able to do that with this Visionary Fund,” stated EWVCF President Scott Roach. “Based on historic investment returns, we project that the Visionary Fund will grow at 8% annually and by 2064 will top $1.1 million.“ No administrative fee (normally 1% annually) will be assessed and no distributions will be made during the first 50 years. At that time one half of the fund will become an unrestricted endowment awarding annual grants of $25,000 or more per year to area charities, and the other half will continue to grow without fees or distributions.

The concept was inspired by Ben Franklin, who in his Last Will and Testament left bequests to Boston and Philadelphia predicated on their stewardship of the asset for 100 years before expending funds to benefit their citizens. A portion of Franklin’s gift was then reinvested for another 100 years. Important public works projects were funded, including the Franklin Institute, one of the nation’s foremost science centers.

“The beauty of compounding returns is that once your assets reach a certain critical mass, the gains really start building quickly,” explained EWVCF Executive Director Michael Whalton. “To illustrate, the community foundation has paid out more than $2 million in grants during the past two years, yet thanks to excellent market returns, our net assets have grown by more than $1 million, to $16.6 million in 2013.”

The Visionary Fund is just one of several programs being introduced by the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation in 2014. Additionally, the organization’s Partners In Philanthropy are engaged in funding Mini-Grants to Teachers in all three counties as well as establishing the Jefferson Community Fund; the first of three unrestricted countywide funds that will address the Eastern Panhandle’s most pressing charitable needs. The highlight of the upcoming Scholars & Donors Reception on May 13th will be the presentation of $82,000 in scholarships to students heading off to colleges or universities in the fall.

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation was founded in 1995 to build local, permanent endowment to generate annual charitable grants and scholarships. EWVCF serves Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan Counties, with affiliates in Hampshire and Hardy Counties. Community foundations focus almost entirely on working with local individuals to build local assets to meet local needs. There are currently more than 700 community foundations serving donors across America, with 26 actively building endowments and making grants in West Virginia. Total assets held by EWVCF topped $16.6 million in 2013, and the organization currently manages 174 endowed funds.

By supporting special endowments like the Visionary Fund and the Jefferson Community Fund, donors can help ensure that the Community Foundation will thrive during the next 100 years. For information about the Partners in Philanthropy program or to make a donation to the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation Visionary Fund, call 304-264-0353 or mail your check to EWVCF, 229 E. Martin Street, Suite 4, Martinsburg, WV 25401.

February 4, 2014 By EWVCF

Scholarship Deadline Nears

Community Foundation to Award $80,000+

In 2014, the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) will award more than $80,000 in scholarships to high school seniors from Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan Counties. On-line applications are being accepted through March 1st. Interviews will be scheduled for early spring, and scholarships will be announced during the Community Foundation’s Annual Scholar and Donor Reception in May.

University, college, technical institute, community college, and other higher education-bound high school students, graduating in 2014 can now apply for Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF)scholarships.

We offer dozens of scholarships which range from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 and you can download a complete list of the scholarships, their criteria, and who is eligible to apply.

Applications are submitted on-line by students using eGrant. Since you can apply for only five EWVCF Scholarships, make certain you’ve read the guidelines and are applying for the appropriate scholarships.

We wish you the best during your senior year and hope we can help as you prepare for your higher education next fall.

Download the scholarship criteria below:

2014 Scholarship Criteria.pdf

October 22, 2013 By EWVCF

Good Governance for 501(c)(3) Organizations

Good Governance for 501(c)(3) Organizations
Tuesday, October 22
9 am to Noon
Fee: $25 per participant

Olivia Hutton of Yount Hyde & Barbour will be leading this workshop and sharing her experience as a CPA who specializes in financial matters pertaining to nonprofit organizations.

“Understanding the IRS Form 990”

The IRS has brought the idea of good governance to the forefront of discussion among charitable organizations and revised Form 990 a few years ago. Why is the IRS worried about governance issues and requiring organizations to report more information on Form 990? What issues does the IRS care about? And most importantly, what does it mean for you, your board and your organization? We will discuss what road the IRS (and Congress) may take in enforcing good governance procedures, and how to protect charitable organizations from IRS good governance examinations. In the end, this workshop will help you understand the emphasis on good governance and prepare for the more in depth reporting requirements for Form 990.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will have a better understanding of the emphasis on good governance for nonprofit organizations and be better prepared for the more in depth reporting requirements for Form 990.

Preparing for the Audit

Learn tips and strategies to make your organization’s annual audit a smooth process and rewarding experience.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will feel more comfortable with the preparation of the audit.

Registration: Community Foundation N.E.T Registration Form

October 7, 2013 By EWVCF

Mini-Grants For Teachers

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) is offering a few small mini-grants for teachers in Berkeley County. Grants from the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation are made possible by the generosity of donors who are committed to local philanthropy and our quality of life in the Eastern Panhandle. Grants are recommended by specific fund committees and approved by the EWVCF Board of Directors.

Every day teachers are faced with keeping children interested and challenged with few resources beyond basic curriculum. Limited school budgets often cannot support the creative ideas and cannot provide supplies to challenge students and stimulate learning. The Mini-Grants program brings together the resources of funders who have an interest in K-12 education and helping teachers teach and kids learn.

How Does It Work?

Through a very simple application process, K-12 teachers can apply for grant funding to provide enriching academic experiences in their classrooms. Grant awards will be up to $500. The objective is to encourage and support teachers who have great ideas that will provide enhanced learning experiences for students. Mini-Grants enable the purchase of special materials and resources for the classroom and are intended to support projects that are not provided for within school budgets or other means.

All grant recipients are expected to report on the expenditure of grant funds and results of the supported project within one year of the award.

Who Can Apply?

All Berkeley County Public School K-12 teachers are encouraged to apply.

Grant Application Due Date/Submission

All grant applications must be received on or before October 31, 2013 to be considered.

Grant applications may be emailed to [email protected], faxed to: 888-507-8375, or mailed to:

Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation

229 E. Martin Street, Suite 4

Martinsburg, WV 25401

Grants will be announced after November 15, 2013. If you have questions, please call 304-264-0353.

Download the one page application here. (Form is a “fillable” pdf document.)

Teacher mini grant app.pdf