Martinsburg – Twenty-six years ago the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) was established to serve donors and support nonprofit organizations in Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties. One of more than 800 community foundations across the United States, EWVCF invites everyday people with a vision and a passion for community to create something together: For good. Forever. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, the Community Foundation provides donors with the opportunity to make tax-deductible contributions to create a lasting legacy for nonprofit organizations and charitable causes they hold dear.

Since its inception in 1995, the Community Foundation has awarded grants and scholarships totaling more than $11 million and is now one of the leading grantmakers in the region. The organization manages $35 million in assets and holds endowments for more than 255 component funds which support a wide range of charitable causes; from addressing homelessness to healthcare, youth and recreation programs to senior services, the arts to community development, youth philanthropy to grants for teachers, environmental causes to local food and farm programs, and so much more.

Community foundations across the country are helping people invest in the future of the communities they care about. Trillions of dollars are expected to transfer from one generation to the next during the next 50 years. The philanthropic opportunity during this transfer has the potential to improve the quality of life—in urban centers and small towns alike—through economic development, education, health, human services, environment, arts, and culture. As place-based organizations that focus collective assets for good works, community foundations are helping people of all means give back and make a difference.

“We’ve discovered that a growing number of people are establishing endowments at the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation and also becoming members of our Legacy Society by remembering us in their estate plans,” stated Executive Director Michael Whalton. “They see us as a way to support their favorite charities today and in perpetuity with a single gift and a few simple instructions.” Individuals, couples, and companies interested in learning more about the Legacy Society or in establishing a fund at the community foundation can contact Whalton by email at [email protected] or by calling 304-264-0353.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

A wide variety of grants will be awarded by the Community Foundation in the Spring. Grant categories include Healthcare, Senior Citizens, Housing, Human Welfare, Free Spay & Neuter, Jefferson County Housing, and Historic Jefferson County Cemeteries. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 6th. CLICK HERE for details about the various grant-funded programs and to download an application.

 CLICK HERE to learn HOW TO APPLY.

The Eastern WV Community Foundation is now accepting applications for scholarships that will be awarded in 2020. The deadline to apply is February 28, but please don’t wait until the last minute. We recommend that you print out the Guidelines/Application and the Scholarship Listing/Criteria prior to submitting an application. Spend time reviewing everything and make sure you follow all the instructions. We cannot consider incomplete applications so it is vital that you answer every question and provide all the required support materials. Best of luck!

Download all the information you need. CLICK HERE to learn HOW TO APPLY.

Three Spring Mills High School teachers recently received mini-grants from the Community Foundation. Tina Rantanen (left to right) was awarded a grant for her Fun in Mythology program, Craig Arch received a Creating Opportunities for Job Readiness grant, and Kelsey Corder was awarded a grant for a program entitled Automata Prints and More. A total of $41,624 in grants was awarded to 101 teachers from Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan counties.

The Eastern WV Community Foundation (EWVCF) joined a nationwide celebration, November 12-18, 2019, to recognize the increasingly important role these philanthropic organizations play in fostering local collaboration and innovation to address persistent civic and economic challenges.

For more than a century, community foundations have been a trusted partner and resource for other nonprofit organizations serving specific geographic regions. The overall effect can be seen in the lives of millions and in the vibrant neighborhoods that continue to thrive through their mission-driven work.

“Our community foundation works with donors to support charitable causes, resulting in a brighter future for the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia,” said Lisa Welch, EWVCF Board President. “In addition to awarding grants, we strive to bring our community partners together to find innovative and effective solutions for some of the most challenging problems in our community.”

EWVCF recently awarded $41,624 in mini-grants to public school teachers from Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties, and will give nearly $1 million to support local charitable causes this year. Since its inception in 1995, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $10 million in grants to area nonprofit organizations and scholarships to deserving students.

“We GATHER contributions from generous donors, GROW those gifts through prudent investing, and GRANT a portion of the annual gains to address critical needs and to strengthen charitable organizations in our community,” said EWVCF

Executive Director Michael Whalton. “Our community foundation has experienced tremendous growth during the past 24 years and with nearly $28 million in assets, we provide meaningful financial support to nonprofit organizations in Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire, and Hardy counties.”

There are nearly 800 community foundations in the United States, each serving its own geographic region. They represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy.

As community foundations find solutions for communities large and small, urban and rural – it is the collective work of these organizations that will have the most profound impact. Next year, community foundations nationwide will gather for the 2020 CF United Conference to focus on the power of place. This immersive experience will provide participants support to address unique challenges, leverage tools for innovation and convene forward-thinking conversations.

Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by former President

George H.W. Bush to recognize the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address community problems. To learn more about the Eastern WV Community Foundation visit their website at www.EWVCF.org or call the office in Martinsburg at 304-264-0353

Join your friends and neighbors by becoming a member of the Community Foundation’s Legacy Society. A gift from your estate can support your favorite nonprofit organizations or charitable causes forever. Visit our Legacy Society page to learn how to add your name to this list.