A 2025 Mini Grant to Teachers of $500 supported fourth-grade students from Warm Springs Intermediate School with an unforgettable learning experience at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Students eagerly explored the exhibits, including a memorable visit with Linh Mai, the zoo’s baby Asian elephant. The trip brought classroom lessons about conservation, animal welfare, and biodiversity to life. Students spoke with zookeepers about animal care, enrichment, and Species Survival Plans, gaining firsthand insight into efforts to protect endangered species. The experience sparked their curiosity, deepened their understanding of science, and inspired an appreciation for wildlife conservation. Public school teachers in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan Counties are encouraged to apply during the Mini Grants to Teacher cycle open August 17th-31st. Using a unique application for public school staff in Hampshire County, staff there can apply for Teacher Mini Grants August 17th-September 11th.

In July, staff members from three local middle schools joined educators from across West Virginia for a three-day experience at the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in Atlanta. Made possible through a collaboration among the Hazel Ruby McQuain Foundation, WVU Medicine, the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, the Roy & Gwen Steeley Foundation, the experience provided educators with an opportunity to learn, collaborate, and bring new ideas back to their classrooms and schools.

Here is what the school administrators shared about their experience with RCA.

Jacqueline McCartney, Ed.D., Principal, Capon Bridge Middle School
“Our Ron Clark Academy experience reaffirmed that great schools succeed when strong relationships, high expectations, and student engagement work together. Staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive because the ideas are realistic, energizing, and focused on creating a culture where every student feels connected and motivated to succeed.

Nicole Reed, Principal, Charles Town Middle School
“One of the most impactful takeaways was the house system, which promotes belonging, teamwork, and school pride. This year, CTMS will begin incorporating elements of a house system to help students and staff build stronger connections and foster a positive, supportive school community.”

Brandon Burkhart, Principal, Mountain Ridge Middle School.
“One of the main takeaways was the need to be consistent. As one presenter said, finding the balance of crazy and consistency is the key to success. We have to be crazy enough to try things and have fun but consistent enough to maintain order.”

THIS GRANT CYCLE IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2026.

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation invites applications for the Hampshire County 2026 Mini Grants to Teachers.  Hampshire County public schools and WVSD&B teachers and student support staff are eligible to apply for up to $500 to purchase supplies and materials for special projects, classroom resources, and support for programs not covered by school budgets or other means. The application cycle is: Monday, August 17th – September 11, 2026.

SPECIAL NOTICE:  USE THE ONLINE APPLICATION AND SELECT THE ONE TITLED 2026 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY MINI GRANTS TO TEACHERS.

The online application is available here: https://goapply2.akoyago.com/ewvcf

“The purpose of the program is to show appreciation for the dedication of our local teachers, and provide them with a few extra resources to help them engage their students in new and creative ways, said Amy Pancake, Associate Director.  The program has grown steadily, with more teachers applying and more grants being awarded each year.”

Since the program’s inception in 2014, 282 grants have been awarded totaling over $108,000.

The Mini Grants to Teachers program is supported primarily by the Foundation’s Partners in Philanthropy, corporate sponsors whose annual gifts support the Foundation in a variety of ways. Support also comes from a distribution from the Hampshire County Education Fund, Hampshire County Schools, and individual donors.

Grants will be announced in October. Recipients will be notified by email. Grant checks will be made payable to your school.

QUESTIONS: Please contact Amy Pancake, [email protected], or call 304-822-7200.

 

At the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, we work with a wide range of individuals, families, and businesses for whom charitable giving is a priority, especially related to supporting causes in our community that improve the quality of life for everyone. In many cases, we’re helping business owners structure their personal and family philanthropy. A natural extension of that work is to explore ways a business owner’s succession plan can incorporate gifts to favorite charities and causes.

What’s going on here?

Business succession planning is becoming increasingly important as a growing share of American wealth is tied to privately held companies. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted the growing ranks of wealthy Americans whose fortunes were built through private business ownership and equity growth. For many of these business owners, a succession event may represent the largest liquidity event of their lifetime. And for attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors, these trends point to a growing need for thoughtful planning around business transitions, wealth transfer, and charitable legacy strategies.

What is most important for advisors to know?

The single most important takeaway is that charitable planning should be part of the succession conversation as early as possible. Whether a client is preparing to sell a closely held business, transfer ownership to family members, explore an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), or simply begin thinking about life after the company, charitable planning deserves a seat at the table early in the process. By asking the right questions early, you can help your clients support meaningful causes, potentially reduce taxes, involve family members in giving, and create a lasting charitable legacy.

What questions should I ask my clients?

Here are four “must ask” questions and why they are important, plus a word of caution.

1. Have you thought about including charitable giving in your business succession plan? Many business owners have most of their wealth tied up in their companies. When a sale or ownership transition occurs, the resulting tax consequences can be significant. In some situations, contributing a portion of closely held business interests to charity before a transaction may allow a client to support charitable goals while potentially reducing capital gains tax exposure. Again, timing is key. Once letters of intent are signed or a transaction becomes binding, certain charitable planning opportunities may no longer be available. That’s why advisors should raise charitable planning discussions long before the deal reaches the finish line.
2. Are there causes or organizations that helped shape your business, your employees, or your family’s values? Business succession often prompts reflection. Many owners begin thinking not only about what they have built, but also about the communities, schools, nonprofits, and organizations that contributed to their success. This conversation can help clients identify charitable priorities that might otherwise be left unexplored. It also creates an opportunity to discuss how a business transition could become a catalyst for meaningful community impact rather than simply a financial event.
3. Would you like your children or grandchildren to be involved in charitable decisions after the transition? For many families, succession planning is about more than transferring wealth. It is also about passing along values. A donor advised fund at the community foundation can provide a flexible way for family members to participate in charitable decisions over time. Rather than making all charitable decisions immediately after a sale, a family can establish a fund, potentially involve multiple generations in recommending grants, and create a structure that supports ongoing conversations about philanthropy and community impact.
4. Are you interested in creating a charitable fund that can support multiple organizations over time? Many business owners want to make a significant charitable commitment during a liquidity event but are not yet ready to determine exactly which organizations should receive support. A donor advised fund at the community foundation can help bridge that gap. Clients can contribute assets during a high-income year, potentially receive a charitable deduction if eligible, and then recommend grants to charitable organizations over time. This flexibility allows clients to separate the timing of a charitable contribution from the timing of individual grant decisions.

A word of caution

Some clients may initially assume that a private foundation is the best vehicle for implementing their charitable goals alongside a business exit or succession plan. However, private foundations can be subject to complex rules governing self-dealing, excess business holdings, required distributions, investments, and other activities, not to mention the unfavorable tax deductibility rules for gifts of closely held stock to a private foundation as compared with a donor-advised fund. For many business owners, a donor advised fund can provide a simpler alternative with significantly less administrative burden and, in many cases, more favorable tax treatment.

Now in our 31st year, and with two convenient locations, the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation is happy to work alongside you and your clients to explore charitable planning opportunities.  Visit our website or give us a call.

Susan Caperton, Executive Director/CEO
[email protected] • 304-264-0353

Amy Pancake, Associate Director/COO
[email protected] • 304-822-7200