Search Through Volunteer Grants in West Virginia in the U.S.

Charitable Contributions

Costco Wholesale’s primary charitable efforts specifically focus on programs supporting children, education, and health and human services in the communities where we do business. Throughout the year we receive a large number of requests from nonprofit organizations striving to make a positive impact, and we are thankful to be able to provide support to a variety of organizations and causes. While we would like to respond favorably to all requests, understandably, the needs are far greater than our allocated resources and we are unable to accommodate them all.

Warehouse Donations:

Warehouse donations are handled at the warehouse level - please consult your local warehouse for up-to-date information regarding their donations contacts and review process.

Grant Applications

If the request is under consideration, you may be contacted by staff for any additional information needed. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, and decisions are made based on several factors, including: type of program; identified community need not otherwise available; indication that evidenced based data will establish measurable results of intended outcomes; community collaboration; broad base of financial support; project budget and operating expenses.

Who We Are

The Creag Foundation is a private grant making foundation established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington.

The founders of the Creag Foundation believe that meaningful change can only be achieved through hard work, creativity and passion. They also understand the practical mechanisms that allow charitable organizations to succeed and grow. As a group, Creag Foundation principals are dedicated to helping today’s most innovative programs improve the human condition in a wide variety of ways.

Our Focus

The broad purpose of the Foundation is to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations who are innovators in the field of human services. Our particular focus is on smaller organizations that are starting out or established organizations that are looking for funding to take their organization in a new direction.

What We Fund

/ What We Fund

The Creag Foundation is focused on innovation in the industry. We will consider proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations that are finding new ways to address societal issues facing the nonprofit community. Applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for one year before submitting. If your organization has held 501(c)(3) status for over a year, and your believe that your organization has a new approach to an existing social problem or is addressing a previously unaddressed social issue, you are welcome to contact us and request that we consider your organization for a funding opportunity.

FirstEnergy Foundation Grant

The FirstEnergy Foundation's contributions to local nonprofit organizations help strengthen the social and economic fabric of our communities. Funded solely by FirstEnergy, the Foundation extends the corporate philosophy of providing community support.

The FirstEnergy Foundation priorities: 

• Improving the quality of life in our communities and supporting key safety initiatives
• Empowering our communities’ workforce development and educational initiatives
• Promoting local and regional economic development
• Supporting employee leadership and volunteer interests that align with our business interests

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Social Service Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.

Funding Priorities in Social Service

In the recent past, 15% of total funding has been allocated to Social Service. Organizations with budgets over $5 million have received 75% of funding in Social Service.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted for new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and general support

Funding

Minimum grant size is $100,000.

Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Grants

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation only accepts unsolicited proposals for specific areas within the education, family economic stability and childhood health sectors in select countries where we work, namely the United States, India and South Africa.

As a guideline, the foundation does not fund more than 25% of a project’s budget or more than 10% of an organization’s total annual operating expenses.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has always recognized the power of providing grants to partner organizations that we knew were already working hard to improve the lives of urban children living in poverty. By aligning with organizations that are already making a difference, we continue to make an immediate impact on the lives of thousands of children.

Foundation priorities:

We fund social enterprises that directly serve or impact children or youth from urban low-income communities in the areas of education, health, and family economic stability (including livelihoods and financial inclusion). These social enterprises may be structured as for-profit or nonprofit entities.

Partnerships

We collaborate with a range of organizations focused on creating opportunities for children and families living in urban poverty, with a deep emphasis on measuring impact. Our funding advances projects already making an impact in education, health, and family economic stability. Through these enduring and long-standing partnerships, we create lasting change together.

Our Foundation

The Pleasants Community Foundation began in 2000 as an affiliate of another large multi-county community foundation. Community leaders sought to enhance the quality of life in Pleasants County through charitable giving. As the Foundation grew, it became an independent organization in 2005. By offering charitable giving opportunities, the PCF makes local philanthropy easier and more effective.

The PCF is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of West Virginia. It is registered charitable organization with the West Virginia Secretary of State. We are governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of local volunteers, each of whom has a long history of involvement in community and civic affairs.

What types of funds do we have?

The Foundation currently manages 56 funds valued in excess of $3 million. Of those funds, half are scholarship funds with the majority awarded to graduating seniors at St. Marys High School. However, the Foundation does manage one scholarship fund for graduates of Tyler County High School and two for graduates of Doddridge County High School. In addition, a number of scholarships have been established for students who are already in college or in graduate school.

Many organizations created funds with the Foundation to generate income. These include the Pleasants County 4-H Foundation, the Pleasants County Public Library, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Club of Pleasants County, and the Humane Society. Additional funds have been created to support the needs of community organizations, schools, and individuals through grants.

Finally, several Pleasants County cemeteries have endowment funds to generate income needed for maintenance.

Grants

Our Pleasants County, WV, grants help our community in a number of ways – from providing audio books for our library to emergency equipment for our local fire departments. If your organization has a need, click here to apply online.

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

Founded in 1999, the Sundt Foundation was created to give Sundt employee-owners a way to give back to the communities where they live and work. Today, the Sundt Foundation remains true to its original mission, fostering a sense of connection and belonging in our local communities. The Sundt Foundation provides volunteer and grant opportunities to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in its regional areas.

Giving Guidelines

Employee-owner committees are responsible for Foundation grantmaking designated in the areas of youth development, hunger & nutrition, basic needs & social services, and military & veterans.

The Encova Foundations

Encova aspires to be an outstanding corporate citizen in all locations and markets we serve. Through the Encova Foundation of Ohio and the Encova Foundation of West Virginia, we support local causes that are strategically managed and mirror the values and interests of our associates, agents and policyholders. We commit to causes greater than ourselves and partner with organizations that truly transform lives.

The Encova foundations focus on improving communities and families, promoting education and encouraging wellness. Embedded in our focus is a commitment to helping children succeed, improving our communities and supporting industry initiatives.

WV Project Communi Tree

Carla Hardy WV Project CommuniTree (CTree) is a Cacapon Institute program supported by the WV Chesapeake Bay Program, including the WV Department of Agriculture, WV Division of Forestry, WV Conservation Agency, and the Eastern Panhandle Regional Development & Planning Council. Technical and financial support is provided by these partners and other federal, state, and local organizations.

The ultimate goal of CTree is to protect rivers and watersheds by reducing stormwater runoff pollution to help restore local streams, rivers, and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. To achieve this goal, CTree promotes planting urban trees on publicly-used lands in the Potomac Highlands.

• "Urban trees" are the trees we live with, the trees that grace our towns, neighborhoods, parks, schools, and roadsides. Urban trees protect West Virginia's rivers by reducing stormwater runoff pollution. They provide many additional environmental, social, and economic benefits to communities.
• "Publicly-used lands" include public properties (schools, parks, road right-of-ways, etc.) as well as privately-owned properties that serve a public or community function (HOA common areas, churches, cemeteries, etc.)
• "Potomac Highlands" are the eight counties of the eastern panhandle of WV (Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Mineral, Hampshire, Hardy, Grant, and Pendleton counties).

Additional goals for CTree include:

• Increasing urban tree canopy in the Potomac Highlands
• Fostering an increased awareness of local water quality issues
• Educating volunteers on the benefits of trees and proper tree selection & care
• Promoting long-term tree care programs within participating communities
• Connecting volunteers with resources to make positive changes in their communities

September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance Grant

Volunteer West Virginia announces a funding opportunity through the federal AmeriCorps Agency for eligible applicants - which include local governments, community organizations, and national service programs. Applicants will apply to receive funding of up to $15,000 to host a large service project that takes place on, or is celebrated on, September 11. Each project will be responsible for recruiting and managing 50+ volunteers.

Volunteer West Virginia will prioritize applications that will meet an important immediate community need, or address a systemic issue, and those applications that will engage underserved communities including, but not limited to, rural communities, BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA communities, persons with disabilities, and veterans and military families.

Project Examples

• Town ​wide cleanup day
• Building and maintenance of a community garden
• Construction of low-income housing
• Cemetery clean-up day(s)
• Art installation with contracted local artist and volunteer involvement
• Building of new hiking or walking trails
• Packing backpacks to provide food and supplies to children in rural communities​

EQT Foundation

EQT is proud to be a part of the many communities where we operate, live and work. We believe strongly that giving back is a responsibility, and we’ve stayed true to that belief since the EQT Foundation was established in 2003 as a dedicated resource for financial, in-kind and volunteer support to communities touched by our business.

Since its inception, the EQT Foundation has awarded more than $74 million to nonprofits throughout the operational footprint of EQT Corporation. We are committed to supporting the education and training of children and adults; the development of diverse, livable communities; and preserving our natural environments.

The EQT Foundation believes in meaningful engagement with the communities it calls home and takes great pride in being a responsible and responsive corporate citizen. The EQT Foundation focuses its resources on areas that have a direct effect on the stability of communities and, in turn, contribute to the success of its business operations in those areas.

Funding Priorities

The EQT Foundation’s funding strategy endorses organizations and programs that directly impact the community and its residents. The Foundation supports nonprofits that demonstrate positive, needed, and trusted impacts throughout their community with special attention given to proposals grounded in analysis that demonstrate creative approaches to addressing critical issues.

The EQT Foundation also seeks evidence of:

• Geographic setting that aligns with EQT Corporation’s business locations;
• Ability to manage available resources effectively; and
• Outreach that gains solid public recognition and support for the nonprofit, its programs and sponsors.

The Foundation’s funding priorities are:

Community Enrichment

Encourage the development of diverse, safe, healthy, and sustainable communities, which can help to retain residential, commercial and economic growth.

Examples: Food banks, libraries, farmers markets, arts & music programs, community festivals & initiatives

Education & Workforce

Promote proficiency in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) topics for youth, as well as training programs to create a future skilled workforce.

Examples: In-school STEM-based curricula, computer and science camps, project-based learning, teacher professional development, career planning and preparation

Environment

Support the preservation of natural resources, and educate children, residents, and businesses to employ conservation techniques to minimize adverse impacts on the environment.

Examples: community gardens, watershed conservation, environmental education, preservation and restoration of green spaces

Scholarship At a Glance

Albert and Toni Roothbert established the Roothbert Fund to assist those in need of financial aid to further their education. Based in New York City, the Roothbert Fund operates as a volunteer organization. Through scholarship, The Fund supports fellows’ graduate or undergraduate study at an accredited institution based in the United States. The Fund seeks candidates motivated by spiritual values.

History and Mission Since 1958, the Roothbert Fund has granted scholarships to 1,350 Fellows. The Roothbert Fund seeks candidates whose daily actions are guided by spiritual motives. Fellows enjoy a life-long community with other Fellows, including annual retreats and online connections. The Roothbert Fund, Inc. is a small, nearly all-volunteer scholarship fund based in New York City. It was founded in 1958 as a living memorial to the combined idealism of two people: Albert and Toni Roothbert, both of whom emigrated from Germany in the early 20th Century. They met in New York and married in 1937. At the time, he was a retired banker, and she was a retired fashion photographer.The Roothberts shared a devotion to young people, whose idealism, they believed, was the best defense against a recurrence of the tragedies of the first half of the 20th Century. In the wake of the cataclysmic events of World War II, Albert Roothbert believed that "our young generation will create a new, more enlightened society, which will want to live democratic principles, not merely claim them." Please read the FAQ for additional informations.

The American Association of Blacks in Energy proudly supports the academic achievements of students who desire careers in the energy industry, by awarding scholarships to those students who meet the minimum scholarship qualifications. Scholarships may be awarded by the National office as well as local Chapter(s) in your high school’s city or state.

Annually AABE awards more than $350,000 in scholarships to students. AABE has engaged energy-related partners to increase the number of scholarships awarded. Each of our scholars has indicated an interest in pursuing an energy-related career. AABE volunteers across the country work to provide numerous scholarship opportunities through golf tournaments, grants, and other fundraising activities.

Our mission:

To provide direct input into the deliberations and developments of energy policies, regulations, emerging technologies, and environmental issues.

This scholarship program will award seven (7) scholarships annually:

• Six (6) Regional scholarships at $3,000 each
• One (1) National scholarship at $5,000 (this is a reoccurring scholarship for up to 4 years as long as the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA and remains enrolled in an eligible Major).

Through the work of various AABE National Scholarship Committee members, Chapter Presidents, Regional Directors, Location Scholarship Committees, and many AABE volunteers nationwide, the AABE Scholarship Program is advertised, and applications are solicited from eligible candidates nationwide.

Though founded to address funding inequities in education resources for African Americans, AABE-administered scholarships are open to all ethnicities; the great majority of recipients are still African American. It provides scholarships to students attending its member colleges, technical or trade schools, or universities.

Volunteer West Virginia announces a funding opportunity through AmeriCorps State Formula grants for eligible applicants. Potential applicants will apply to operate an AmeriCorps program solely in West Virginia utilizing at least 5 AmeriCorps members beginning in Fall, 2023 or Spring, 2024.Who We AreVolunteer West Virginia, State's Commission​ for National and Community Service, is the lead agency for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in West Virginia. In 1994, Volunteer West Virginia was established to administer national service programs, such as AmeriCorps, throughout the state. Volunteer West Virginia administers $3​ million in federal and state funding​ for AmeriCorps ​and volunteer programs across the state each year. Volunteer West Virginia is an agency of within the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History and is guided by a bipartisan board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor.What We Do

• Make it easier for West Virginians to volunteer.
• Provide funding and support to AmeriCorps programs.
• Support and strengthen West Virginia’s nonprofits and volunteer programs. 

Sacred Heart Children's Center of Harrison County West Virginia

Serving the needs of Harrison County children has always been the purpose of Sacred Heart Children's Center, Inc. Beginning as a Catholic orphanage in the early twentieth century, it evolved into a public day care center in the 1970s. By early 1980s, it became a volunteer-directed, private foundation accepting funds and granting requests to benefit the children of Harrison County.

In 2001, Food Lion created a 501(c)(3) foundation operated by a volunteer board of directors in order to streamline requests for financial donations to eliminate hunger.

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation supports a variety of hunger-related initiatives, including "Feeding the Hungry" grants each year. The foundation has given away more than $17.5 million across Food Lion’s operating area since its inception. Specifically, grants support children at risk of hunger and support feeding agencies by helping to increase their "fresh" capacity so families can put nutritious meals on their tables. The foundation also helps provide nutrition education to eliminate the health risks of the hungry.

Mountaineer Treeways provides tree seedlings at no cost for organizations to plant on public land across West Virginia. All trees must be planted on public property with preference given to projects involving: interstates, rest areas, park & rides, highways, public parks, schools, city streets and other municipal property. Trees will be distributed in early April as weather and nursery conditions permit. The West Virginia Division of Forestry can provide project assistance and instructions for proper planting methods. 

Program Goals

• To encourage volunteers and municipalities to become more involved with community forestry and tree planting projects. 
• To provide a low cost alternative to other grant programs requiring matching funds.
• To strengthen and support existing comprehensive tree care programs in larger communities and cities. 
• To encourage the initiation and development of comprehensive tree care programs in smaller communities. 

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Vision

Centene’s purpose is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this purpose. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

About

The Preservation Leadership Forum of the National Trust for Historic Preservation is a network of preservation leaders — professionals, students, volunteers, activists, experts — who share the latest ideas, information, and advice, and have access to in-depth preservation resources and training.

Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund - Mid-Atlantic States

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund provides funding to deserving organizations demonstrating commitment to the protection of natural and cultural resources in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Jordan Preservation Excellence Fund was established in November 1996 in recognition of Dr. Jordan’s distinguished service to the National Trust and his visionary leadership of the national preservation movement. Applicants can apply for up to $5,000.

The fund awards programs and activities that:

• Facilitate positive dialogues between the diverse interests of historic preservation, land conservation, business development, transportation, and government in a search for common ground in protecting the environment
• Stimulate the development of local and state policies that protect the cultural landscape and its resources
• Heighten public awareness of or increase involvement in issues relating to the livability and sustainability of communities
• Encourage innovative partnerships and approaches to open space conservation and historic preservation

Mission Statement

Beckley Area Foundation exists to inspire and facilitate generous charitable giving that advances our community.

About Us

Beckley Area Foundation was established in January 1985 by ten community-minded citizens. It began with a gift of $1.1 million from the Dr. Thomas Walker Memorial Health Foundation as "seed" money for this Raleigh County project. BAF assets have grown to over $70 million with over 500 different funds managed by our three trustee banks. Today, Beckley Area Foundation is one of West Virginia’s largest community foundations.

Only the income from these funds is spent. The initial gift remains intact to serve the community forever. Since its inception, BAF has distributed over $23 million to charities and other worthy projects in the fields of education, public recreation, health & human services, the arts, animal services and beautification.

Sigmund Family Fund - Interdenominational Projects

Mr. William R. Sigmund’s Christian philosophy came by the way of his parents, Ray and Elise Sigmund. Ray “Doc” Sigmund was a pharmacist in Beckley. Elsie was active in the Beckley Presbyterian Church, the Woman’s Club, and the “Pink Ladies” who volunteered at the local hospital. Their grandchildren described them as “angels on earth.” Their son Bill became a successful businessman and role model for those who aspire to improve our community. Bill Sigmund died in January, 2006, knowing that his family had established this fund as a Christmas gift. This Christian based fund will generate income to support interdenominational causes for those in need.

At the current time, this fund has $1,000 available to award.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

Wild East Action Fund

The Wild East Action Fund supports projects that accelerate the pace of conservation within the Appalachian Trail landscape.

Since 2018, the Wild East Action Fund has supported a variety of land protection and conservation capacity-building projects that have accelerated the pace and scale of conservation within the Appalachian Trail landscape. This funding opportunity is available to conservation organizations, including nonprofit partners and public agencies, that support the mission of the Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership (ATLP).

In celebration of ATC’s 100th anniversary and the ATLP’s 10th anniversary, ATC is excited to host a Wild East Action Fund cycle!

The Wild East Action Fund is a private, competitive grant opportunity, administered by ATC, supporting the ATLP mission to connect the wild, scenic, and cultural wonders of the A.T. landscape. The Wild East Action Fund seeks applications that aim to accelerate the pace and scale of A.T. landscape’s conservation and resiliency.

ATC has identified needs and strategies, at multiple scales, to effectively support the acceleration of conservation and resiliency within the A.T. landscape. The program’s three grant categories are designed to catalyze new and existing conservation partners’ knowledge, abilities, and expertise to address many of these dynamic needs:

• Land Protection
• Conservation Planning
• Community Resilience

The Wild East Action Fund supports projects that contribute to the protection of lands and waters within the A.T. landscape, enhance capacity for strategic conservation activities, build community support for a conserved and resilient A.T. landscape; and champion an A.T. landscape that encourages all people to feel welcome, respected, supported and valued.

Community Resilience

Purpose - Recover from and build community capacity to address/mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Community Resilience grants are available for projects that support community resiliency in the face of weather-related impacts and a changing climate. We anticipate three types of resilient community projects to be competitive in this cycle; the most competitive applications will address more than one of the following themes:

• Recovery, rebuilding, development of outdoor recreation, cultural, or historic assets.
• Restoration, stabilization, recovery of natural resources, ecological systems, or open space.
• Community building, place-making, or preparedness.

Eligible projects can include, but are not limited to, volunteer workdays/clean-ups/events, youth leadership and workforce training related to conservation or natural resource stewardship, public education or outreach campaigns or events, downtown recovery, beautification, revitalization, and resiliency planning or pre-planning activities, and recreational/cultural/historic asset improvements. Competitive projects will advance climate resiliency, be collaborative and/or community-driven, support public access to open space and recreation opportunities, and/or address Hurricane Helene recovery. It is important that applications clearly demonstrate how the project will help the community recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene and/or strengthen a community’s capacity to respond, mitigate, or adapt to future risk and uncertainty associated with the increasing severity of weather events and a changing climate. As much as possible, project outcomes should include, or strive to strengthen community support for, conservation actions and nature-based solutions to climate change. 

Funding

Up to $400,000 will be granted through the Wild East Action Fund to qualified land protection, conservation planning, and community resiliency projects. Conservation Planning and Community Resiliency grant requests between $5,000 and $20,000 will be considered.

All funding opportunities require a cash or in-kind match. Match ratio will be considered on a case-by-case basis, evaluated on the circumstances of the organization and project context. The match should be secured or demonstrate with confidence that it will be secured during the grant period.

Funding for the Conservation Planning and Community Resilience grant categories are made possible through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s A.T. Resiliency Fund. 

Volunteer West Virginia

Volunteer West Virginia, the lead agency for volunteerism and AmeriCorps in West Virginia, administers $3​ million in federal, state, and local funding​ for AmeriCorps ​and volunteer programs across the state each year. The Commission is guided by a bipartisan board of Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor of West Virginia. 

What We Do

• Make it easier for West Virginia's to volunteer.
• Provide funding and support to AmeriCorps programs.​
• Support and strengthen West Virginia's nonprofits & volunteer programs. ​

Volunteer Recognition Mini Grants

V​olunteer West Virginia is happy to announce the availability of mini grants to host volunteer recognition projects and events. Thanking volunteers is an important part of managing and retaining volunteers. The goal of this project is to help organizations start new volunteer recognition projects and events or improve upon existing events. Eligible organizations may receive up to $500.​

Helpful Tips

• Be creative! Help your project stand out by developing a creative title and theme. 
• ​In the budget section, please include as much information as possible. List each item you'd like to purchase and the approximate cost. If you are requesting funding for recognition gifts, please list each item you'd like to purchase.
• Be detailed. Provide helpful information on how you will develop and implement your project. 

For more than 20 years, The Baltimore Life Companies have viewed community involvement as our responsibility, not only through financial support of local organizations, but through our employees’ commitment to volunteerism. To further demonstrate our belief in good corporate citizenship, Baltimore Life has established a community grants program to help nonprofit organizations enhance the quality of life in communities—Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and the surrounding communities—where our employees live and work.

Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to multiple organizations. Our grants program is a continuation of Baltimore Life’s long-standing tradition of giving back to our communities.

As a part of reaching the goal of the foundation, we are establishing various Community Benefit Funds as a way to enhance and support the communities in which we are involved.

Pinnacle Wind Farm at NewPage Community Benefit Fund

The community benefit fund associated with the Pinnacle Wind Farm at NewPage was established to provide funding to community-oriented projects in the area surrounding the Pinnacle Wind Farm at NewPage, which is located in Mineral County, West Virginia, just west of Keyser. This area includes Keyser, Elk Garden, and New Creek. 

Funding Commitments 

Pinnacle Wind, LLC has committed to fund this community benefit fund beginning when the project reaches commercial operation status. Since it is typical for projects of this type to change ownership between the development phase and the subsequent construction and operations phases, this commitment is transferable to and binding upon any future owners of Pinnacle Wind Force, LLC.

Pinnacle Wind, LLC has agreed to the following contributions to the Community Benefit Fund:

• $50,000 payable when the project begins commercial operation (year 1); 
• $10,000 (additional) earmarked for historic preservation;
• $20,000 per year for the life of the project (beginning with year 2).

Local Control

An important component of the Community Benefit Fund concept is local control. All grant/funding decisions will be made by a volunteer based Allocation Committee, which is made up of local citizens and community leaders. Its job will be to review grant applications and pick projects to recommend for funding. We believe that this local control will assure that the Community Benefit Fund dollars are spent in the most appropriate way.