The Hampshire County Public Library (HCPL) received a grant to purchase supplies for the library’s outdoor food pantry program. HCPL Director, Anna Poland receives a grant check from HCCF Board Member Paula Tingler.
The Hampshire County Community Foundation recently awarded 19 grants totaling over $24,000 to support a wide variety of local organizations and programs.
“Grants were awarded through our annual Winter/Spring Grants Program, which is competitive process”, said Amy Pancake, the Foundation’s director. “Grant seekers submitted a simple on-line application and then our grants committee reviewed the grants and made funding recommendations,” she added.
According to Pancake, the grants were made possible thanks to gifts from generous donors who established or contributed to the William Brady and Jean Taylor Rannells Fund, the Bill and Fran Wylie Education Competition Fund, the J. Holland & Anita Rannells and Gorda & Mona Saville Fund, the Erin Michele Pancake Memorial Fund, and the Hampshire County Community Impact Fund.
“Typically, we limit the amount an applicant can request to $1,000. Thanks to some last-minute gifts, however, the committee was able to award additional funding to some of the organizations providing youth, health, and human welfare services”, Pancake said.
HCCF Board Member Roy Knight presents Sherri Unger, Case Manager for Catholic Charities of WV with a grant to support their emergency assistance program.
Health and Human Services grants totaled $7,000 and will support programs offered through Catholic Charities, Hampshire County Library Association, Hampshire County Pathways, Romney Food Pantry, and Hampshire County Committee on Aging.
The Romney Food Pantry received a grant to purchase food to help meet the increasing need. Picture above (L-R) HCCF Board Members, Dave Waugerman and Roy Knight and Richard Gray, director of the Romney Food Pantry.
Over $6,000 was awarded to organizations serving youth, including Children’s Home Society, Christ Community Church, Girls on the Run of the Shenandoah Valley, Hampshire County 4-H Leaders, Hampshire County Youth Football, and the WVU Foundation. 
HCCF Board Member Paula Tingler presents a grant to Hampshire County Youth Football volunteer, Travis Delaplain for support the leagues growth and sustainability.
Arts, Culture, Conservation and Preservation grants totaling $4,000 were awarded to the Fort Edwards Foundation, the Hampshire County Arts Council, and The River House.
Capon Bridge Elementary School, EACHS Head Start, and Hampshire High School Health Sciences received $2,750 in education-based grants.
Finally, Cacapon TNR was awarded a $2,000 for its work address the county’s feral cat problem, which is both an animal and human welfare concern.
“We received many exceptional applications,” Pancake said. “We are so pleased and thankful to be able to support a diversity of organizations that are doing such impactful work in our community. Our grants connect our donors and nonprofits around a common desire to build a stronger community and we are privileged to see this each time we award one”, she added.
Funding availability announcements for the Foundation’s spring grants program are made via email and organizations are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] or call the office at 304-822-7200 to request to be added to the mailing list. Applications are typically posted on the foundation’s website https://www.ewvcf.org/grants-scholarships-hampshire/ in early February.
The Hampshire County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation, is a charitable organization committed to providing people who care about the future of our area with unique and effective ways of supporting their community now, and for generations to come. Community foundations number more than 800 across America with 25 in West Virginia and focus entirely on working with local individuals to build local assets to meet local needs.