Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation

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COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ACCEPTING YOUTH GRANT APPLICATIONS THROUGH OCTOBER 13TH

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) is now accepting applications for their Fall 2023 Youth Grants. Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County nonprofit organizations that cater to the needs of our youngest community members are encouraged to click HERE to apply today!

Youth Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to programs that assist sick, needy, dependent, neglected, and disadvantaged children; improve the quality of life for children in the community; and/or provide educational, athletic, academic, social, civic, or community-based activities that involve or support children. Programs that celebrate diversity and/or promote equity and inclusion are encouraged. The application period for these grants is from September 18th  to October 13th.

Previously, EWVCF’s Youth grants have funded a wide variety of Eastern Panhandle nonprofit programs. Young community members continue to learn creativity and self-expression through EWVCF-funded arts programs at the BlackCat Music Cooperative (pictured) in Berkeley Springs. Just last year, the Morgan County Tennis Association received a grant to improve and maintain its programming and to purchase a storage shed. These grants have also gone to nonprofits like the Martinsburg Initiative and Renewed Life Ministries for the purchase of basic needs items such as diapers and clothes.

EWVCF is proud to be able to support Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County nonprofits and their Youth programs thanks to the help of donors to funds such as the Jane P. Snyder Youth Fund; C. Scott and Elizabeth C. Shade Youth Fund; Bonn Poland Family Roundhouse Recreation Fund; Frada Fine Berkeley County Education Fund, and the Tom and Virginia Seely Morgan County Children’s Fund. To learn more about all of our funds and to apply for a grant, please explore our website today!

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1995 to help donors create permanent endowments to provide grants and scholarships throughout the region. Since its inception, EWVCF has awarded $15 million, including over $1.2 million in 2022 alone. The Community Foundation now holds more than 280 endowed funds with assets of just over $38 million and is the leading steward of philanthropic giving in the region. EWVCF works with a wide range of nonprofit organizations, providing funding for projects from human welfare and scholarships to affordable housing and natural resources conservation; youth and education to animal welfare and historic preservation, and much more. For information visit www.EWVCF.org or call 304-264-0353.

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COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ACCEPTING SENIOR CARE GRANT APPLICATIONS THROUGH OCTOBER 13

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) is now accepting applications for their Senior Citizen Grants. Thanks to the Kings Daughters Senior Citizens Charitable Fund, a total of $30,000 in grants will be awarded this Fall. Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County organizations that cater to the needs of our elderly community members are encouraged to click HERE to learn more and apply!

The KD Senior Citizens Charitable Fund was established in 2018 by Kings Daughters. This year, the fund will award grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government agencies, churches, and/or non-501(c)(3) civic groups with programs serving Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County senior citizens.

Awards from this fund have gone to organizations such as Berkeley Senior Services (pictured), Jefferson County Council on Aging, CCAP/Loaves & Fishes, and Morgan County Starting Points. Organizations that provide elderly persons with housing facilities and services specifically designed to meet their physical, social and psychological needs and to promote their health, security, happiness, and usefulness in longer living are encouraged to apply today.

EWVCF is proud to be able to support Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County nonprofits and their senior programs thanks to the help of so many generous donors. To learn more about all of our funds and to apply for a grant, please explore our website today!

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1995 to help donors create permanent endowments to provide grants and scholarships throughout the region. Since its inception, EWVCF has awarded $15 million, including over $1.2 million in 2022 alone. The Community Foundation now holds more than 280 endowed funds with assets of just over $38 million and is the leading steward of philanthropic giving in the region. EWVCF works with a wide range of nonprofit organizations, providing funding for projects from human welfare and scholarships to affordable housing and natural resources conservation; youth and education to animal welfare and historic preservation, and much more. For information call 304-264-0353.

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2023 Youth Grants

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation is now accepting proposals from nonprofit organizations that cater to the needs of our young ones in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

Youth Grants will be awarded to programs that assist sick, needy, dependent, neglected, and disadvantaged children; improve the quality of life for children in the community; and/or provide educational, athletic, academic, social, civic, or community-based activities that involve or support children. Programs that celebrate diversity and/or promote equity and inclusion are encouraged. Grants will go up to $5,000.

PLEASE NOTE: Public schools are not eligible to receive Youth grants this year. If you applied for a 2023 Mini Grants for Teachers or Education Grant, you are not eligible to receive a Youth grant unless we have discussed it with you beforehand! Youth grants will only be going towards 501(c)(3)s, Government Agencies, Religious Organizations, or non-501(c)(3) Civic Groups. Private schools with 501(c)(3) status are welcome to apply for these grants.

Eligibility, Deadline, Reports, and Requirements

Eligible Organizations: The Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations with Youth related programs in Morgan, Berkeley, and/or Jefferson counties of West Virginia.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
  • An already existing nonprofit, 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(13) organization in good standing with the IRS, or
  • An existing government/quasi-governmental agency applying for a project that is not funded by tax revenue, or
  • A religious organization requesting funding for a non-sectarian charitable purpose, or
  • A civic group that is not a 501(c)(3) organization requesting funding for a charitable community cause.
Required Financial Information for 501(c)(3) Organizations
Applications must include financial information for the organization as a whole, and in addition:
  • Applicants with charitable contributions over $300,000 but less than $500,000 must provide the most recent financial review performed by an independent certified public accountant.
  • Applicants with charitable contributions over $500,000 must provide the most recent audit performed by an independent certified public accountant.

In addition, 501(c)(3) organizations must be in good standing with:

Application Period: September 18th – October 13th, 2023.

Grant Notification: Grantees will be notified and grants will be awarded in early December.

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 these grants upfront. A final report, including a summary of grant expenses, must be provided to the Community Foundation by the date included on your award letter. Grantees also agree to attend a Zoom meeting to discuss their grant. Extensions may be allowed with prior approval.

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Fall 2023 Senior Citizens Grants

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation is now accepting proposals from nonprofit organizations that cater to the needs of senior citizens in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Thanks to the Kings Daughters Senior Citizens Charitable Fund, a total of $30,000 in grants will be awarded to organizations that provide elderly persons with housing facilities and services specifically designed to meet their physical, social, and psychological needs and to promote their health, security, happiness, and usefulness in longer living.

Eligibility, Deadline, Reports, and Requirements

Eligible Organizations: The Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations with Senior Care programs in Morgan, Berkeley, and/or Jefferson counties of West Virginia.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
  • An already existing nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization in good standing with the IRS, or
  • An existing government/quasi-governmental agency, or public school applying for a project that is not funded by tax revenue, or
  • A religious organization requesting funding for a non-sectarian charitable purpose, or
  • A civic group that is not a 501(c)(3) organization requesting funding for a charitable community cause.
Required Financial Information for 501(c)(3) Organizations
Applications must include financial information for the organization as a whole, and in addition:
  • Applicants with charitable contributions over $300,000 but less than $500,000 must provide the most recent financial review performed by an independent certified public accountant.
  • Applicants with charitable contributions over $500,000 must provide the most recent audit performed by an independent certified public accountant.

In addition, 501(c)(3) organizations must be in good standing with:

Application Period: September 18th – October 13th, 2023.

Grant Notification: Grantees will be notified and grants will be awarded in early December.

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 these grants upfront. A final report, including a summary of grant expenses, must be provided to the Community Foundation by the date included on your award letter. Grantees also agree to attend a Zoom meeting to discuss their grant. Extensions may be allowed with prior approval.

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It’s (always) a great time to review your estate plan and legacy gifts

Don’t forget that August is National Make-A-Will month. Even if your estate planning documents are already in place, this is still a good time to review your will, trust, and beneficiary designations to ensure that they still capture your financial and family situation, as well as your intentions.

It’s hard not to be inspired by the incredible stories of generosity that no one saw coming. Every year, many nonprofit organizations receive estate gifts that they had not expected. Stories about these donors are heartwarming! (And, though not a bequest, we’re all inspired by extraordinary anonymous gifts!)

Remember, your fund at the community foundation can be an ideal recipient of estate gifts through a will or trust, or through a beneficiary designation on a qualified retirement plan or life insurance policy. Bequests of qualified retirement plans–such as your IRA–can be extremely tax-efficient. This is because charitable organizations such as the community foundation are tax-exempt. This means the funds flowing directly to a fund at the community foundation from a retirement plan after your death will not be reduced by income tax. This also means the assets will not be subject to estate tax.

The community foundation makes it easy for your attorney to draft bequest terms in legal documents, including beneficiary designations of retirement plans and life insurance policies. Please contact our team for the exact language that will ensure alignment with your intentions.

Keep in mind that even after you have executed estate planning documents or beneficiary designations, in many cases you can update the terms of the fund at the community foundation designated to receive the bequest upon your death. You will love the ease and flexibility!

We look forward to hearing from you and your advisors as you update your estate plan to ensure that your community legacy is intact!

 

 

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.