Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation

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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!

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Spring Grants are now OPEN!

These grants are now closed.

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 Friday, April 18, 2025 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:

Application Period: March 31 – April 18th.

Grant Notification: Grantees will be notified and grants will be awarded by May 31, 2025.

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 Winter grants upfront. A final report, including a summary of grant expenses, must be provided to the Community Foundation by Monday, February 2, 2026, and grantees agree to attend a Zoom meeting to discuss their grant in February 2026.

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2024 Youth and Education Grants

A NOTE FOR APPLICANTS:

This year marks our first time utilizing our new application process! Now, applicants will visit our GoApply website and create a profile before submitting applications. That website can be found here: https://goapply2.akoyago.com/ewvcf 

If you are a a public school teacher 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! Your progress is saved as you fill out the application – no need for Save and Continue emails anymore!

Youth and Education grant applications are being accepted through November 8th for programs serving Jefferson, Berkeley, or Morgan Counties.

Available Grant Funding Categories & Criteria:

Youth Grants — to support 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.

Education Grants — to support educational opportunities including but not limited to: preparatory skills, tutoring programs, innovative programs that strengthen educational development, nutrition programs, small capital needs within the classroom, department, or school, after-school, and summer programs. Programs that celebrate diversity and/or promote equity and inclusion are encouraged.

Eligible Organizations: The Community Foundation administers grants to organizations providing direct benefits to Morgan, Berkeley, and/or Jefferson counties in West Virginia.

All applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

  • An already existing nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization in good standing with the IRS,
  • An existing government/quasi-governmental agency, or public school applying for a project that is not funded by tax revenue,
  • A religious organization requesting funding for non-sectarian activities, or
  • A civic group that is not a 501(c)(3) organization requesting funding for a charitable community

Application Period: October 18 – November 8. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Grant Notification: Grants will be awarded and checks will be presented 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.

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2024 Mini Grants to Teachers

We are so excited to announce that our 2024 Mini Grants to Teachers are now OPEN! Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County public school educators are invited to apply for grants of up to $500. This year, we are using our new Grant software for applications! Teachers, please visit https://goapply2.akoyago.com/ewvcf and register as an individual.

The Need

More and more, teachers are faced with the challenge of keeping children interested and engaged with few resources beyond the basics. We are proud to announce that we are hosting our Mini Grants to Teachers again this year! Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan County public school teachers are invited to apply for grants of up to $500 starting Monday, September 16th.

Our Mini Grants to Teachers have funded recorders, classroom libraries, a snack cart, headphones, robotic kits, murals, virtual field trips, and so much more. These grants are meant to encourage and support teachers who have great ideas that will enhance the learning experience for students.

Grants can be used to purchase supplies and materials for special projects, provide resources for the classroom, and support projects and programs that are not covered by school budgets or other means. Mini Grants will range from $100 – $500.

Who Can Apply?

All Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan County public school teachers are invited to apply. Public schools are defined as being supported by public funds and are part of the free public education system. Any school that charges tuition to students is NOT eligible.

If you have any questions, please call 304-264-0353, or email [email protected].

Deadlines and Instructions

Application Period: September 16 – October 7th. All grant applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on October 7th to be considered. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Grant Notification: Should your grant application be approved, you will be notified via email in late October. Soon after, you will receive your grant payable to your school.

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2024 Two Rivers Giving Circle Grants

A NOTE FOR APPLICANTS:

This year, we have also begun using a new grant application program! Now, applicants will visit our GoApply website and create a profile before submitting applications. That website can be found here: https://goapply2.akoyago.com/ewvcf

Once you create your profile and log in, you will see a list of our current grant opportunities, including the TRGC grants. 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! Your progress is saved as you fill out the application – no need for Save and Continue emails anymore!

The Two Rivers Giving Circle is one of the few local sources of grants for Eastern Panhandle nonprofit groups that are engaged in historic preservation and natural resource conservation.

Our members come from Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties, and we confine our grantmaking to those counties. The Two Rivers Giving Circle will consider grants for:

  •  Safeguarding Habitat: Protection of habitat is critical to the preservation of biodiversity. Focus is placed on buffer zones, wildlife areas, watersheds, and functioning ecosystems.
  • Children and Nature: Education and involvement of the next generation are extremely important. Programs that address youth activism, knowledge, hands-on activity, and physical movement.
  • Saving Panhandle Treasures: We all have a deep care for our countryside and heritage. Initiatives that provide increased protection of historic, cultural, and pastoral places in the Panhandle.
  • Waste and Recycling: Efforts that catalyze underserved recycling efforts, promote effective household waste treatment, and deter non-point source pollution in the Panhandle.
  • Energy Conservation: Initiatives that promote increased energy conservation and decreased consumption behaviors in our Panhandle community.
  • Growing the Movement: Programs that engage, organize, and empower new constituencies who add to the advancement of programs through volunteerism and leadership that lead to new ways of thinking and acting.

Application Deadlines, Reviews, and Reports

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:

Applications will open on AUGUST 23rd, 2024 and close on SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2024. Two Rivers Giving Circle representatives may contact applicants for a phone or face-to-face interview and site visit. Grants will be announced by November.

Grant Size, Payment, and Final Reporting

Trust-Based Philanthropy Reporting Requirements: In general, grants range from $1,000 to $2,500 and are generally awarded up front. A final report, including outcomes of the funded program, and a summary of your grant expenses must be submitted by the end of August of the year following receipt of the grant. All grantees will be asked to attend a Zoom meeting to update members of the Two Rivers Giving Circle shortly after final reports are submitted. Under unusual circumstances, the Community Foundation may consider an extension.

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.