Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation

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New Staff Welcomed to EWVCF

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) recently welcomed Kirsten Avey as Systems Manager and Elaine Bobo as Donor Relations and Communications Director. These staff additions underscore EWVCF’s commitment to growing, serving, and supporting the communities of Berkeley, Jefferson, Hampshire, Hardy, and Morgan Counties through endowed grants and scholarships. 

“The past few years have been ones of exciting change, positive transitions and organizational growth, including welcoming new faces to our staff,” said Susan Caperton, EWVCF Executive Director/CEO. “We are thrilled to have Elaine and Kirsten join us in these new roles, enabling us to focus even more attention on strengthening donor relationships, supporting our non-profit partners, and helping with community-wide initiatives. They both bring a wealth of experience to EWVCF and are all-around lovely and accomplished individuals.”  

As the donor relations and communications director, Elaine’s background in communications and community engagement will be instrumental in strengthening relationships with donors, non-profits, and professionals, as well as cultivating new relationships with community agents of change.  

Kirsten brings experience managing multi-faceted projects and processes with absolute attention to detail. Combined with her financial background and experience in higher education management, Avey will enhance the effectiveness of the day-to-day operations of the office in her role as Systems Manager.  

“Our board is extremely pleased with the growth and direction of the Foundation. We recognize the need to support the administration of grants and scholarship so that our communities can thrive and grow from the generosity of our donors,” commented Jen Rolston, EWVCF Board President. “Welcoming new staff to support our mission is important to our Board, and we are fortunate to have Elaine and Kirsten’s experiences, and skill sets added to our team.” 

To learn more about the EWVCF and how you can be involved, visit our website at www.ewvcf.org. 

Pictured left to right: Elaine Bobo and Kirsten Avey

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2025 Berkeley County Industrial Park Development Fund Grants Now Open

Our 2025 BCIPD Fund grants are now OPEN! Berkeley County organizations addressing the following issues are encouraged to apply:

  • Economic development
  • Business recruitment and/or creation
  • Workforce development
  • Job creation
  • Career training and job skills development

THESE GRANTS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Grant Guidelines & Application

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation will consider grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools, and government agencies serving Berkeley County.

Application Deadline, Reviews, and Reports

All grant applications must be submitted no later than August 1st, 2025 to be considered. Our representatives may contact applicants for phone or Zoom interviews. Grants will be announced in late August.

Grant Size, Payment, and Final Reports

Grants will generally range from $2,000 to $12,000. A final report, including a summary of grant expenses, must be provided to the Community Foundation by April 30th of the following year. Extensions may be allowed with prior approval.

Organizations Eligible to Apply

Charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, technical institutes, colleges, and universities serving Berkeley County are eligible to apply.  Also eligible are Berkeley County-based units of government and quasi-governmental agencies so long as funded programs meet the grant guidelines and benefit the public good.

Grantmaking Priorities

Grantseekers are encouraged to submit proposals for specific projects and programs rather than for general support or operations. Programs that have already been completed are unlikely to be funded. No grants to individuals will be made.

Trust-Based Philanthropy Reporting Requirements

In an effort to streamline the grants process for nonprofit organizations, the Community Foundation has adopted trust-based philanthropy and will award and pay the Berkeley County Industrial Park Development Fund grants upfront. A final report, including a summary of grant expenses, must be provided to the Community Foundation by April 30, 2026. Extensions to complete the grant funded program may be allowed with prior approval; however, grantees receiving an extension should still file an interim report.

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Growing Impact Across Our Region

Our 29th year marked incredible growth and progress.  We proudly continued supporting nonprofit programs across all five counties and launched our inaugural Veterans Grant Program. Our endowments reached new heights, fueling the growth of our grants and scholarship programs. This annual report highlights the hopes and dreams of many in our community. Whether they be known as a recipient or donor, may their inspiration become yours as well.

Please contact our office at 304-264-0353 for a copy of our 29th Annual Report to the Community or enjoy it below.

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EWVCF Announces 2025 Scholarship Recipients

This week the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation awarded 153 scholarships totaling $249,560 to 113 students from the Berkeley, Jefferson, Hampshire, Hardy and Morgan Counties.

We are grateful to the donors who established these scholarships. “Each donor has their own story behind giving,” said Karin Hammann Dunn, EWVCF Scholarship Program Manager. “Some scholarships honor loved ones; others reflect a desire to give back after receiving support themselves. No matter the reason, this generosity is an investment in the next generation—and in the future of our entire region.”

We are also proud of the students who are receiving these scholarships and honored to support their educational pursuits. We wish one and all, the very best in the years to come.

  • Austin Ailor – The Woods Scholarship
  • Addison Armentrout – John and Alvina Chalmers Pappas Scholarship
  • Courtlynn Ault – Lost River Pride Scholarship
  • Angeline Almeyda – Martin Luther King Scholarship
  • Caden Ballard – Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship
  • Gavin Barkley – The Woods Scholarship
  • Jamilatu Barrie – George W. and Holly Woods Hancock and Terry Lee Walker, Jr. Scholarships
  • Denver Beckner – David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship
  • James Bodkin – Wardensville Area Scholarship
  • Sophia Bonner Hospice of the Panhandle Nursing, Martin Luther King, and Rotary Club of Charles Town Scholarships
  • Noel Brady – Berkeley County Teachers Scholarship
  • Lydia Brown – Derflinger Sciences and South Jefferson Ruritan Scholarships
  • Thomas Brown – Berkeley County Teachers and Martin Luther King Scholarships
  • Zoe Burleson – Martinsburg Class of 1964 Scholarship
  • Joshua Burton – Durham Family Fund Scholarship
  • Kaileb Butler – Todd Mosby Memorial Scholarship
  • Madalynn Clayton – Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship
  • Bethany Coon – William H. Bean Scholarship
  • Jaden Cullers – Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship
  • Dejahnay Davis – George W. and Holly Woods Hancock, Fulton L. Walker, Jr. and George Whitehair Scholarships
  • Alexis diZerega – Joy Tutwiler Snyder Memorial Scholarship
  • April Dove – Phillip P and Elda G. Painter and Wardensville Area Scholarships
  • Amelia Dugan – Walter and Mary Jo Ziler Brown and Derflinger Earth Sciences Scholarships
  • Leslie Echeverria – Martin Luther King Scholarship
  • Haden Fincham – Detlev and Mary Ellen Preissler Scholarship
  • Makenzie Fultineer – Dr. Gwen Steeley Memorial Scholarship
  • Elisabeth Gottlieb – Susan Wellford Smith and Wurzburg Family Scholarships
  • Justin Gottlieb – Emily C. Cooper ROTC Scholarship
  • Aaralyn Hahn – The Woods Scholarship
  • Carlee Haines – Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship
  • Dakoa Hammer – David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship
  • Alaria Harrington – Martin Luther King Scholarship
  • Jocelyn Hartman – Wanda McCulley Scholarship
  • Braylon Horner – Chad Hammond Memorial, Fulton L. Walker, Jr., and Terry Lee Walker, Jr. Scholarships
  • Colleen Hott – Rae Ellen Scanlon McKee Scholarship
  • Michael Hovatter – Detlev and Mary Ellen Preissler Scholarship
  • Parker Hozhabri – Rissler Sisters Fund Scholarship
  • Olivia Jenkins – Emily C. Cooper Bee Line DAR Scholarship
  • Mikaella Johnson – Rotary Club of Charles Town, Terry Lee Walker, Jr., and Wurzburg Family Scholarships
  • Landon Keeney – Fulton L. Walker, Jr. and Terry Lee Walker, Jr. Scholarships
  • Elizabeth Kessel – Anna Jo Crosby Scholarship
  • Cooper Knott – Karos Family Scholarship
  • Nick Krywcun – Mary and Walter Duke and Dr. Gwen Steeley Memorial Scholarships
  • Jenna Kubic – Wurzburg Family Scholarship
  • Sterling Kump – Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship
  • KayLee Laird-Neal – Dr. Gwen Steeley Memorial Scholarship
  • Avery Lark – Floyd and Isabel Jacques Scholarship
  • Camden Link – WV Wing Civil Air Patrol Scholarship
  • Cameron Mahar – Derflinger Earth Sciences Scholarship
  • Biak Mang – Martin Luther King, Fulton L. Walker, Jr. and Wurzburg Family Scholarships
  • Jasmine Matthews – South Jefferson Ruritan Scholarship
  • Kora McBride – Rissler Sisters Scholarship
  • Evelyn McPherson – Polly Dillon Scholarship and Eastern Panhandle WVU Alumni Scholarships
  • Josiah Meadows – Destiny Baptist Church Scholarship Patrick J. Walker Scholarship
  • Noah Merritt – Shelton Gay and Wardensville Area Scholarships
  • Owen Michael – Overington Scholarship
  • Paige Michael – Overington Scholarship
  • Brooklyn Miller – Glen and Charlotte Bradfield and Wardensville Area Scholarships
  • Kristopher Miller – David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship
  • Chelsea Mills – Wardensville Area Scholarship
  • Brittney Mills – Martin Luther King, Martinsburg 200th and Nancy Needy Scholarships
  • Eduardo Modenessi – Martinsburg Class of 1964 and Edgar McKee and Ethel Downs Sites Scholarships
  • Kevin Molen – Oscar H. Bean, Bill Clark, Clarence “Hink” Fisher, and Tom Hawse II Scholarship
  • Carder Monroe – Todd Giffin Memorial Scholarship
  • Lillian Morgan – Derflinger Sciences Scholarship
  • Olivia Morrison – Derflinger Sciences Scholarship
  • Elliana Mosby – Nancy Needy Scholarship
  • Rena Mullenax – Nancy Needy Scholarship
  • Myley Mullins – Rissler Sisters Fund Scholarship
  • Taylor Munson – Rissler Sister Fund Scholarship
  • Sophia Murray – WV WingCivil Air Patrol Scholarship
  • Grace Ott – South Jefferson Ruritan Club Scholarship
  • Haylee Owens – Whalton Family Fund Scholarship
  • Reese Pennington – Morgan and Robert Owens and Youth of Inwood Scholarships
  • Kiara Petry – Floyd and Isabel Jacques Scholarship
  • Sarah Pownell – Wilda Michael Memorial Scholarship
  • Leonora Pulampu – George W. and Holly Woods Hancock and Nancy Needy Scholarship
  • Reagan Quinn – Dr. Theodore K. Oates Scholarship
  • Maddox Richard – Kaylee Grace Whetzel and Wardensville Area Scholarships
  • Bryson Richardson – Wanda McCulley Scholarship
  • Keira Rhoads – Paul Ropp Memorial Scholarship
  • Tay’Shaun Roper – Clyde E. Smith, Jr. Scholarship
  • Giulia Roppolo – M. Frances Secrist Scholarship
  • Hannah Seelinger – Martin Luther King Scholarship
  • Isabella Shade – Floyd and Isabel Jacques, Martin Luther King and Youth of Inwood Scholarships
  • Austin Sharp – South Jefferson Ruritan Scholarship
  • Adam Sherman – Rissler Sisters Scholarship
  • Hayes Sherman – Vernon and Myrtle Webster Scholarship
  • Taylor Shroades – Dr. Theodore K. Oates Scholarship
  • Sadie Shields – Stanley and Naomi Moyer and Wardensville Area Scholarships
  • Chloe Sigrist – Rissler Sisters Scholarship
  • Natalie Sions – R. L. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship
  • Antoine Smith – WV Wing Civil Air Patrol Scholarship
  • Hannah Snyder – Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship
  • Kaden Stenger – J. Oakley Seibert Memorial Scholarship
  • Lane Suddath – Joy Tutwiler Snyder Memorial Scholarship
  • Shawn Swartz – Terry Lee Walker, Jr. Scholarship
  • Nathan Tauler – Martin Luther King Scholarship and Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarships
  • Rihanna Thompson – Martin Luther King and The Woods Scholarships
  • Laney Tierney – Springfield Area Rescue Squad Scholarship
  • Trenton Timbrook – David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship
  • Hanna Vano – Floyd and Isabel Jacques Scholarship
  • Marissa Ward – Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship
  • Triniti Weese – Berkeley County Teachers, Erin Sponaugle and George Whitehair Scholarships
  • Hannah Whitten – Susan Knott Memorial, Martin Luther King and Rissler Sisters Scholarships
  • Alexandra Wietz – Bo Harrison Memorial Scholarship
  • Emilly Willer – Dr. N. Blaine Groves Rotary, Martinsburg Class of 1964, Terry Lee Walker, Jr., and Douglas Arthur Ways Scholarships
  • Rhiannon Woolcock – Dr. Gwen Steeley Memorial Scholarship
  • Virginia Wright – Rissler Sisters Scholarship
  • Ralph Yancy – Todd Mosby Scholarship
  • Emma Yost – Rissler Sisters Scholarship

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2025 Detlev and Mary Ellen Preissler Fund Grants

These grants are now CLOSED.

We are so excited to announce that EWVCF will once again be awarding grants through the Detlev and Mary Ellen Preissler Fund for the Arts, Music, Design, and Nature! Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County public schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofits with programs that inspire and educate children through art, music, design, and nature should apply for a grant today! Grants will range from $1,000 to $10,000. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS NOW JUNE 30TH!

Grant-seekers are encouraged to submit proposals for specific programs and projects that help children expand their knowledge and practice of art, music, and design, especially those that incorporate nature and the natural world into the curriculum. Public school teachers are also welcome to apply for specific programs and projects that are not eligible for traditional school funding. Art, music, design, and/or nature-focused charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations may also apply for General Support grants.

Click HERE to learn more and apply today!

Martinsburg Office
127 Crimson Circle
Martinsburg, WV 25403
[email protected]
304.264.0353

Romney Office
Post Office Box 40
91 South High Street
Romney, WV 26757
[email protected]
304.822.7200

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Vision

To build vibrant communities that provide opportunities for everyone living in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

Mission

To inspire philanthropy, serve donors, strengthen communities, and improve the quality of life in Eastern West Virginia now and for future generations.

Values

We honor the philanthropic vision of our donors and value their generosity. We respect the work of nonprofit organizations and the passion they bring to carrying out their missions. We earn the trust of our grantees, donors, and partners through our commitment to excellence in our stewardship and our dedication to accountability, integrity, professionalism, and transparency in all our actions. In all our work, we actively embrace accessibility, inclusion, racial and social equity, and the unity that comes from diversity.