Blog Archives - Page 4 of 26 - Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation

June 10, 2026 By Elaine Bobo

EWVCF Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation awarded 170 scholarships totaling $321,860 to 121 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 so 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.

Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund- Abigail Shanley
Walter and Mary Jo Ziler Brown Scholarship Fund- Abigail Shanley
Derflinger Earth Sciences Scholarship Fund- Aleena Cannon
Destiny Baptist Church Patrick J. Walker Scholarship Fund- Aleyah Jackson
Derflinger Earth Sciences Scholarship Fund- Alice Petry
Eastern Panhandle WVU Alumni Scholarship Fund- Alice Petry
Todd Mosby Memorial Scholarship Fund- Alice Petry
Wanda McCulley Scholarship Fund -Andrew Loy
Dr. Gwen Steeley Memorial Scholarship Fund- Annika Feagans
Mary Morrow Van Metre Yoe Scholarship Fund -Ashlyn Lange
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund -Ashlyn Lange
Terry Lee Walker Jr. Scholarship Fund -Ashlyn Lange
Martinsburg 200th Anniversary Scholarship Fund -Ashlyn Weatherholz
Berkeley County Teachers’ Scholarship Fund -Audrey Campbell
Berkeley County Teachers’ Scholarship Fund -Autumn Meddings
The Floyd and Isabel Jacques Memorial Scholarship Fund -Autumn Meddings
Terry Lee Walker Jr. Scholarship Fund -Ava Chicchirichi
Rotary Club of Charles Town Scholarship Fund -Ava Dudurich
Martinsburg High School Class of 1964 Scholarship Fund -Ava Rau
Nancy Needy Scholarship Fund- Ava Rau
Susan Wellford Smith Scholarship Fund -Ava Richards
David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship Fund- Aviona Ambrose
Springfield Area Rescue Squad Scholarship Fund -Bailey Nichols
Fischer Family Fund- Bianca Hutzler
John and Alvina Chalmers Pappas Memorial Fund -Bodie Brill
Wardensville Area Scholarship Fund -Bodie Brill
Bill and Stella Halterman Crane Scholarship Fund -Brady Vetter
Whalton Family Fund- Breandan Mullins
Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship Fund -Brock Linville
Detlev and Mary Ellen Preissler Scholarship Fund -Cameron Galles
Fischer Family Fund -Cameron Galles
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund- Charlotte Kershnick
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund -Charlotte Kershinick
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund -Chloe D’Amico
Wardensville Area Scholarship Fund -Chloe D’Amico
Mary Morrow Van Metre Yoe Scholarship Fund -Chloe Slonaker
Theodore K. Oates Nursing Scholarship Fund -Chloe Slonaker
Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Fund -Christian Park
2026 Dr. Rev. J. Paul Gruver Scholarship -Collin Lewis
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Delaney Butler
The Floyd and Isabel Jacques Memorial Scholarship Fund -Delaney Butler
Lauren Le-An Porterfield Oblak Scholarship Fund- Devohn Hardy
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund -Devohn Hardy
Fischer Family Fund- Dominic DeMasi
Harry H. Hardie-James Rumsey Technical School Scholarship- Eli Lasure
Youth of Inwood Scholarship Fund- Elizabeth Guerrero-Vera
N. Blaine Groves/Rotary Scholarship Fund- Elizabeth Guerrero-Vera
Chad Hammond Memorial Scholarship Fund- Elizabeth Stegmaier
Fischer Family Fund- Elizabeth Stegmaier
Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Fund- Elizabeth Stegmaier
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund -Elizabeth Stegmaier
The Floyd and Isabel Jacques Memorial Scholarship Fund- Elizabeth Stegmaier
Phillip P. and Elda G. Painter Scholarship Fund- Elizabeth Williams
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund- Ella Cogswell
Wardensville Area Scholarship Fund- Emerson Pearce
Detlev and Mary Ellen Preissler Scholarship Fund- Emilio Perez Diggs
Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Fund- Emilio Perez Diggs
Wurzburg Family Scholarship Fund- Emilio Perez Diggs
Edgar McKee and Ethel Downs Sites Scholarship Fund -Eric Corona
Fischer Family Fund- Ethan Hinchman
The Floyd and Isabel Jacques Memorial Scholarship Fund- Ethan Hinchman
Bill and Stella Halterman Crane Scholarship Fund -Gage Wolfe
Robert H. & Lorraine W. Strickler Fund- Gage Wolfe
Lost River Pride Scholarship Fund- Garret Nuzum
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund -Genevieve Miller
Wurzburg Family Scholarship Fund- Gerald Parsons
Emily C. Cooper Bee Line Chapter of N.S. Daughters Scholarship- Grace Troxel
Douglas Arthur Ways Scholarship Fund- Gracelyn Brown
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Gracelyn Brown
The Woods Scholarship Fund- Gracelyn Brown
Glen and Charlotte Bradfield Scholarship Fund- Haley Twigg
Wardensville Area Scholarship Fund -Haley Twigg
Joy Tutwiler Snyder Memorial Scholarship Fund- Hannah Haines
Todd Giffin Memorial Scholarship Fund -Hayden Davidson
Joy Tutwiler Snyder Memorial Scholarship Fund- Hisley Keiter
Clyde E. Smith Jr. Scholarship Fund -Jacob Pereschuk
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund- Jamie Loftus
The Woods Scholarship Fund- Javan Rossignol
Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Fund- Jerry Adams
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund- Jerry Adams
David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship Fund -Jonah Smith
Durham Family Scholarship Fund -Jonathan Smitherman
Douglas Arthur Ways Scholarship Fund- Josie Dillow
Wurzburg Family Scholarship Fund -Josie Dillow
R.L. Johnson Jr. Scholarship Fund- Judson “Landon” Eversole
David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship Fund- Kaleigh McCloskey
George W. and Holly Woods Hancock Scholarship Fund- Keandra Cochran
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Keandra Cochran
Mary Morrow Van Metre Yoe Scholarship Fund- Kendall Holben
William H. Bean Scholarship Fund- Khristian Bauserman
Wardensville Area Scholarship Fund -Khristian Bauserman
Rae Ellen Scanlon McKee Scholarship Fund- Lani Steward
Rotary Club of Charles Town Scholarship Fund- Lauren Spitzer
Susan Wellford Smith Scholarship Fund -Lena Pope
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Lidia Mang
Terry Lee Walker Jr. Scholarship Fund- Lidia Mang
Youth of Inwood Scholarship Fund- Logan Smith
Anna Jo Crosby Scholarship Fund- Macey Fincham
Hospice of the Panhandle Nursing Scholarship Fund -Marley Bolyard
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund- Michaela Roche
Terry Lee Walker Jr. Scholarship Fund- Michaela Roche
Stanley and Naomi Moyer Scholarship Fund- Morganne Miller
Wardensville Area Scholarship Fund-Morganne Miller
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Navin Sims
The Floyd and Isabel Jacques Memorial Scholarship Fund- Navin Sims
Fischer Family Fund- Nirmi Gamage
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund- Olivia O’Dea
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Owen Freeman
Wilda Michael Memorial Scholarship Fund- Parker Charlton
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Patricia Reed
David A. “Hawk” Hawkens Scholarship Fund- Payton Thorne
West Virginia Wing-Civil Air Patrol Cadet Scholarship Fund- Antoine Smith
The Woods Scholarship Fund- Austin Ailor
Nancy Needy Scholarship Fund- Brittney Mills
Wanda McCulley Scholarship Fund- Bryson Richardson
Derflinger Earth Sciences Scholarship Fund- Cameron Mahar
Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship Fund- Carlee Haines
Nancy Needy Scholarship Fund- Elliana Mosby
Martinsburg High School Class of 1964 Scholarship Fund -Emily Willer
Jerry Shingleton Scholarship Fund- Gage Sherman
South Jefferson Ruritan Club Scholarship Fund- Grace Ott
Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship Fund- Hannah Snyder
South Jefferson Ruritan Club Scholarship Fund- Jasmine Matthews
Emily C. Cooper Jefferson County ROTC Scholarship Fund- Justin Gottlieb
Dr. Gwen Steeley Memorial Scholarship Fund- KayLee Laird-Neal
Oscar H. Bean, Bill Clark, Clarence “Hink” Fisher and Tom Hawse II Scholarship-Kevin Molen
Nancy Needy Scholarship Fund -Leonora Puplampu
Derflinger Earth Sciences Scholarship Fund- Lillian Morgan
Derflinger Earth Sciences Scholarship Fund- Lydia Brown
South Jefferson Ruritan Club Scholarship Fund -Lydia Brown
Dr. Gwen Steeley Memorial Scholarship Fund- Nick Krywcun
Mary and Walter Duke Teachers Scholarship Fund -Nick Krywcun
Nancy Needy Scholarship Fund -Rena Mullenax
The Woods Scholarship Fund -Rihanna Thompson
West Virginia Wing-Civil Air Patrol Cadet Scholarship Fund- Sophia Murray
Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship Fund- Sterling Kump
Martinsburg High School Class of 1964 Scholarship Fund- Zoe Burleson
Robert Rentschler Memorial Fund- Radin Luttrell
Kaylee Grace Whetzel Scholarship Fund- Raleigh Kuykendall
Vernon and Myrtle Webster Memorial Fund- Raleigh Kuykendall
Theodore K. Oates Nursing Scholarship Fund- Riley Wratchford
Rissler Sisters Scholarship Fund- Samantha Rutherford
George W. and Holly Woods Hancock Scholarship Fund- Saniah Garrison
M. Frances Secrist Scholarship Fund- Saniah Garrison
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Saniah Garrison
Berkeley County Teachers’ Scholarship Fund- Sara Henry
Erin Sponaugle Scholarship Fund- Sara Henry
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund -Sarah Barthlow
The Floyd and Isabel Jacques Memorial Scholarship Fund- Sarah Barthlow
Todd Mosby Memorial Scholarship Fund- Sarah Barthlow
Bob and Betty Wilson Family Scholarship Fund -Savannah Wilkins
Phillip P. and Elda G. Painter Scholarship Fund- Savannah Wilkins
Wardensville Area Scholarship Fund- Savannah Wilkins
Wurzburg Family Scholarship Fund- Sean Viteri
Wardensville Area Scholarship Fund- Silas Schetrom
The Floyd and Isabel Jacques Memorial Scholarship Fund- Sophie Carpenter
Wurzburg Family Scholarship Fund- Sophie Carpenter
Dr. Gwen Steeley Memorial Scholarship Fund- Syrah George
George Whitehair Scholarship Fund -Syrah George
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Syrah George
Terry Lee Walker Jr. Scholarship Fund- Syrah George
Bo Harrison Memorial Scholarship Fund- Uryan George
George Whitehair Scholarship Fund- Uryan George
Scotty and Leona Reynolds Scholarship Fund- Veronica Carr
Durham Family Scholarship Fund- Wenonah Nicodemus
Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Fund- Wenonah Nicodemus
Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund- Wenonah Nicodemus
Terry Lee Walker Jr. Scholarship Fund- Wenonah Nicodemus
Fulton L. Walker, Jr. Scholarship Fund- Woodrow Smith
George W. and Holly Woods Hancock Scholarship Fund- Woodrow Smith

June 9, 2026 By Elaine Bobo

Celebrating West Virginia Day

The Heart of Mountaineer Pride

A reflection by Susan Caperton, Executive Director/CEO and Amy Pancake, Associate Director/COO of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation.

Whether it is a class reunion, wedding reception, or sporting event, few moments stir the heart quite like standing shoulder to shoulder with those around swaying and singing “Country Roads.” In that moment, there is a shared understanding of home, belonging, and pride that is uniquely West Virginian.

As I reflected on what West Virginia Day means, I asked my coworkers to share what comes to mind when they think about our state. Their answers painted a picture as beautiful and layered as the mountains themselves. Some spoke of spring landscapes filled with budding trees that later burst into brilliant autumn colors stretching across the hillsides. Others mentioned the bright red cardinals that gather at backyard feeders or perch quietly on snow-covered branches, bringing life and color to winter mornings.

But beyond the scenery, what stood out most was the spirit of our people.

West Virginians gather to cheer for hometown teams, but that same community spirit shows up just as faithfully when neighbors volunteer at a local food bank, shovel mud from a flooded basement, or drop spare dollars and coins into a firefighter’s boot to support their local department. It is generosity without hesitation. It is compassion without conditions. It is the foundation of Mountaineer pride deeply rooted from generation to generation or accepted and adopted by those transplanting themselves or their families to our great state.

At the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, it is our joy and privilege to work with individuals and families across our five-county region who are looking forward — building purpose-driven funds that provide grants and scholarships today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

Since 1995, the foresight and generosity of local Mountaineers have helped direct more than $17 million back into our communities. That legacy of giving, caring, and investing in neighbors is nothing short of legendary.

Among our staff of six, we represent more than 230 combined years of calling West Virginia home. We are deeply committed to the mission of the foundation and to the communities where we live, work, play, and raise our families.

This West Virginia Day, we celebrate not only our beautiful state, but the people who make it extraordinary.

If leaving a lasting legacy for fellow Mountaineers is on your bucket list, we would love to meet you, hear your story, and help find a path forward. Stop by our offices and say hello. There is always room for another conversation about building a stronger future for West Virginia.

To reach Susan, call 304-264-0353, or Amy 304-822-7200. And you are always invited to our website, www.ewvcf.org.

Let’s go Mountaineers!

April 14, 2026 By Elaine Bobo

Stick a Pin in Us-We’ve Moved!

The Martinsburg office of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation has relocated to a more convenient location at 127 Crimson Circle, Martinsburg, WV 25403.

Our new space offers ample parking and a ground-floor entrance, making it easier for donors, nonprofit partners, grantees, and community members to visit.

Our Romney office continues to serve the region at 91 South High Street, Romney, WV.

We look forward to welcoming you to our offices and continuing our work to strengthen communities across the Eastern Panhandle. Same mission, new location, and we’re hoping to see you soon.

April 1, 2026 By Elaine Bobo

Thinking of Starting a Fund?

Creating a fund in your Community Foundation is economical and easy. Let our team of professionals support your dream.

Donors receive prudent fund management, generous tax advantages, and access to a committed staff with knowledge of the community and the charities in our area. We handle administrative responsibilities, file necessary tax returns, evaluate charities, and monitor changes in the community to help you achieve your charitable vision. A wide variety of endowed funds can be created with a lump-sum gift of as little as $5,000. Here are the basic steps for creating a fund.

1. Define your charitable and financial objectives. Consider how you want your gift to be used and how much you and other family members would like to be involved in making grant recommendations. You may have a favorite charity you want to support, or be passionate about youth and education programs, or want to provide scholarships to area students.

2. Select the type of fund that matches your charitable interests.

Unrestricted Fund

Agency or Hybrid Fund

Designated Fund

Donor-Advised Fund

Field of Interest Fund

Scholarship Fund

3. Determine which asset you will use in creating your fund. Gifts of cash, securities (publicly traded or closely held), personal property, or real estate can be accepted by the Community Foundation to set up a fund. Assets with a low-cost basis are often wise choices, since they offer maximum tax advantages: You pay no capital gains tax and receive a favorable income tax deduction. You may also wish to review assets inside your retirement plan for possible charitable use. At all times, we work closely with your accountant and attorney to ensure your charitable wishes are clearly understood and applied.

4. Choose a name for your fund. Many donors choose a family name, but you can use any name that is meaningful to you.

5. Make your gift to the Community Foundation. While your gift to establish a fund will be commingled with other Community Foundation assets to maximize investment returns, income and appreciation are tracked and tied to your fund, benefitting your fund for its growth and charitable grantmaking.

6. Plan a gift through your Will. We can help provide appropriate language to make sure a contribution to the Community Foundation from your estate meets legal and tax criteria.

From here on, your charitable vision is nearly worry-free. The Community Foundation takes care of government filings, grant paperwork, auditing and accounting. Most importantly, you will have joined with hundreds of other local donors who have created a personal legacy that is true philanthropy.

To get started, contact the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation:

in Martinsburg, WV: (304) 264-0353 or via email at [email protected]

in Romney, WV: (304) 822-7200 or via email at [email protected]

March 9, 2026 By Elaine Bobo

Spring Grant Application NOW CLOSED

Please monitor our website for additional grant offerings throughout the year. Register for our newsletter for additional updates.

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation (EWVCF) is now accepting Spring grant applications from Eastern Panhandle organizations. Grants for Historic Cemeteries, Housing, and Senior Programs will be awarded this spring. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 30, 2026 and grants will be awarded in May.

The Helen Parker Willard Fund will award grants to Jefferson County-based historic cemeteries. Organizations leading the way in preserving local Civil War gravesites and public-use areas of community history are highly encouraged to apply for one of these grants.

Organizations tackling homelessness and affordable housing are encouraged to apply for a grant from the Housing Action Fund. An emphasis will be placed on programs that promote inter-county collaborative efforts, increase community knowledge, serve high-need populations, and/or focus on underserved towns or counties. Additionally, organizations that support housing activities in Jefferson County, specifically, should also apply for a grant from the Partnership for Affordable Housing Fund.

The Kings Daughter Senior Citizens Charitable Fund will award grants to programs providing elderly persons with housing facilities and/or services specifically designed to meet their physical, social, and psychological needs, and to promote their health, security, happiness and usefulness in longer living.

The application can be found here: https://goapply2.akoyago.com/ewvcf.

New applicants, please register with this website before submitting. If you are a a public school teacher or church/church group representative applying, please register as an individual. All others, please register as an organization.

Once you create your profile and log in, you will see a list of our current grant opportunities. Once you hit “View” next to the application name, you will be taken to a page where you can read the grant guidelines. From there, you can click “Apply” and begin filling out your application!

Eligibility, Deadline, Reports, and Requirements

Eligible Organizations: The Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations providing a wide range of direct benefits in Morgan, Berkeley, and/or Jefferson counties of West Virginia. Programs that celebrate diversity and/or promote equity and inclusion are encouraged.

Please note: Organizations will only be able to submit one application per funding category. You may apply for more than one category, however! Once you have completed your first application, you may need to clear your browser’s cache or cookies before GoApply will allow you to submit a second application.

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, 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:

West Virginia Secretary of State’s Business & Licensing and also the Charities Division: http://apps.sos.wv.gov/business/corporations/ & https://sos.wv.gov/business/Pages/Charities.aspx
IRS, as assessed via IRS Pub 78 and GuideStar: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ & https://www.guidestar.org/Home.aspx

Application Period: March 9-30, 2026

Grant Notification: Grantees will be notified and grants will be awarded in May 2026.

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 Spring grants upfront.