We changed our grant cycle and added a couple new grant programs, so be sure to read through the entire application and fill it our appropriately.
Deadline for applying was December 8, 2017. Keep checking back for more grant opportunities.
Please call us with any questions or concerns. 304-264-0353
The Two Rivers Giving Circle has honored Betty Lou Harmison, of Berkeley Springs, with its 2017 Preservation and Conservation Award.
The award recognizes Harmison for her many years of support for historic preservation and natural resources conservation in Morgan County. It was presented during the organization’s annual picnic, held September 16 at Cacapon State Park. Harmison received a handcrafted platter made from local clay by award-winning potters Pam and Ren Parziale of Sycamore Pottery in Leetown.
The Two Rivers Giving Circle is an advised fund of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation. Since its inception in 2008, it has provided grants totaling more than $68,000 to Eastern Panhandle organizations engaged in historic preservation and natural resources conservation. It is one of the few grantmakers in the region that focuses on these two fields.
Each year, the Giving Circle also recognizes an individual who has been a leader in one or both of these fields.
A long-time resident of Berkeley Springs, Harmison for many years operated the Park View Inn (now the Country Inn) with her late husband Bill. Over the years she has been an energetic member of many different community organizations.
In the field of historic preservation, she has been active in the Morgan County Historical Society and Ye Olde Town of Bath Daughters of the American Revolution. She is one of the founders and a longtime leader of the Museum of the Berkeley Springs, and a longtime member of the Town of Bath Landmarks Commission.
During the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976, she headed the town’s bicentennial committee, developing historical markers and a walking tour of the town’s original lots, and hosting officials from Bath, England.
She also wrote the National Register of Historic Places nomination for Berkeley Springs State Park.
In 2011, she was the co-author, with Jeanne Mozier, of the Arcadia Publishing Company’s “Images of America” volume on Berkeley Springs.
At the state level, she has served on the Records Management and Preservation Board of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.
Harmison has also had a strong interest in natural resources conservation. She is one of the founders and a longtime member of the Foxglove Garden Club in Berkeley Springs, which has long helped to beautify the town, and has also served on the town’s streetscape committee. A decade ago, she assisted the Potomac Valley Audubon Society in establishing the Eidolon Nature Preserve in Morgan County.
She was named a West Virginia History Hero in 2007 and received a Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award in 2010.
Individuals interested in joining the Two Rivers Giving Circle should contact Michael Whalton, executive director of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, at 304-264-0353 or [email protected]. The cost of membership is $500 annually.
Thanks to the West Virginia Development Office Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP), the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation is offering West Virginia residents NIP Tax Credits for qualifying gifts made to the Foundation. Because the West Virginia tax credits actually reduce your state tax liability, a $1000 gift to the Community Foundation translates into an actual $500 out of pocket expense—and even less if donors itemize deductions on their federal tax return.
“Tax credits can help donors make sizable gifts that will benefit favorite charities this year, and forever,” says Michael Whalton, executive director of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation. The Community Foundation works with local donors to build permanent community endowment. Funds are invested and the gains produce grants and scholarships that benefit Eastern West Virginia. The minimum gift to qualify for NIP tax credits is $500 and the maximum is $5,000.
A number of existing agency endowed funds held in the Community Foundation qualify a donor’s gift for the credit. The Eastern Panhandle CARE Fund, CCAP Loaves and Fishes, CASA of the Eastern Panhandle, Jefferson County Community Ministries, Camp Frame 4-H, Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle, Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic, Shepherdstown Daycare Center, Junior Mentoring Program (JUMP), Shenandoah Women’s Center, Housing Action Fund, Community Networks, Inc. – Bethany House all have endowed funds which are eligible to receive gifts through the Neighborhood Investment Program.
Tax credits may also be used to set up a new, qualifying fund in the Community Foundation. Individuals or businesses interested in making an NIP eligible donation can call (304) 264-0353 to reserve credits and discuss how their gift will be used to benefit local charities.
The West Virginia Legislature sets aside $3 million annually in NIP tax credits. To participate, an organization must be a public 501(c)(3) charity and apply to the West Virginia Development Office. Donors may use the credits to reduce liability for West Virginia Personal Income Tax or Corporate Net Income Tax.
The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation was founded in 1995 and serves Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire and Hardy counties. It provides financial stewardship for more than 230 endowment funds, holds over $22 million in assets, and distributes nearly $1 million in annual grants and scholarships to local nonprofit organizations and college-bound students. For information about the Community Foundation visit www.EWVCF.org or call 304-264-0353.
The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) is offering Mini-Grants to Teachers in Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan Counties. These Mini-Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to teachers who need financial assistance with special projects, materials, or classroom resources. Our Partners in Philanthropy, joined by individual donors committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Eastern Panhandle, have pledged more than $30,000 in total. Deadline for applying is October 16th. Click here to download the application! Call or email with questions at 304-264-0353 or [email protected]
2017 Mini-grant app -word
2017 Mini-grant app – fillable pdf
The inaugural Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Golf Classic took place at Locust Hill Golf Course this spring. It was an amazing fundraiser that attracted and engaged community leaders from numerous professions and local organizations. Under light rain and cloudy skies, 64 golfers turned out for this wonderful event.
The tournament started with welcoming the participants, providing insight about the scholarship, and giving golfers course rules for the day. Activities included: 50/50 Raffle, $10,000 Hole in One Shot, Sport Memorabilia to bid on, and a closing ceremony which included team trophies, door prizes and BBQ dinner.
The success of this event would not have been possible without the support of our many sponsors, golfers, family, friends and volunteers. We would like to give a Special Thanks to Pill and Pill, PLLC., Mountaineer Fan Club, Martinsburg’s Chick-fil-A, and Craig Martin of Martin Distributing Company for their generous contributions which truly made a huge difference in making the event a successful one.
The event raised $15,389.00. After expenses, a check for $10,900.00 was deposited into the Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Fund at the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation. This will bring the first year total contributions to $12,500.00 in the Fulton L. Walker Jr. Scholarship Fund.
During a recent meeting to review this year’s tournament, committee members Kevin Walker, Charles Mason, Robert Sowell, Bertha Brown, Rick Pill, Paul Mason, and Gregg Wachtel expressed their thanks to everyone that helped make this inaugural event a great success. They are looking forward to seeing you next year at the Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Golf classic which is already in the early planning stages.