Best West Virginia Grants for Nonprofits

The AW Environmental Grant Program, backed by American Water Works Company, Inc., aims to support community-driven projects focused on water conservation and the protection of vital water resources. Since 2012, the foundation has invested over $15 million in innovative initiatives that enhance access to clean water and promote responsible water usage in underserved communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) charities and educational institutions committed to environmental stewardship.

Section 5310 Purchase ​of Transportation Services Program

Section 5310 of the Federal Transit Act, as amended, authorizes the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to make capital assistance grants to private non-profit organizations or to governmental authorities approved by the State to coordinate services for seniors and individuals with disabilities; or certifies that there are no non-profit organizations readily available in the area to provide services to seniors or individuals with disabilities.

Section 5310 funds are for the purchase of accessible vehicles, communication equipment, transportation services and mobility management activites to provide transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. These funds are available on an 80% Federal, 20% local matching basis.

This is a competitive grant program. Applications are scored based on need, vehicle utilization, coordination efforts, fiscal and managerial capabilities and operating plan. No application is considered for funding without a positive Local Intergovernmental Review or proper sign-off and coordination documentation.

Additional information about the program may be obtained from the Division. Vehicle Application Packets are available in March of each year and applications are due in May. Additional information about the program may be obtained from the Division.​

About Us

The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) is comprised of more than 6,000 men and women who work in the Division of Highways; Division of Motor Vehicles; Division of Public Transit; the Public Port Authority; the Parkways, Economic Development and Tourism Authority (W.V. Turnpike); the State Rail Authority; and the Aeronautics Commission.

WVDOT provides essential services in transportation, tourism and economic development, including:

• Safety and protection for citizens through modern operating standards for our highways, rail and airport facilities and licensing and permitting of drivers and motor vehicles.
• Transportation services including public transit, railway operation and maintenance, airport and river port development and highway construction and maintenance.
• Community and economic development through accessible roads, rivers, railways and airports and support for the artisan community through Tamarack and other development initiatives.
• ​​Revenue generation through the highway trust fund; air, railway and waterway fuel funds and tolls and concession fees.
• ​Information and education through driver education, travel information, safety guidance, public involvement in transportation planning and continuing education.

Mission Statement:

It is the mission of the West Virginia Department of Transportation to create and maintain for the people of West Virginia, the United States and the world a multi-modal and inter-modal transportation system that supports the safe, effective and efficient movement of people, information and goods that enhances the opportunity for people and communities to enjoy environmentally sensitive and economically sound development.

Section 5310 Mobility Management Grant

Title 49 U.S.C. 5310 (CFDA Number 20.513) amended by MAP 21, authorizes a formula grant assistance program for the enhanced mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as well as, the West Virginia Division of Multimodal Transportations Facilities - Transit (Public Transit), refers to this program as “the Section 5310 Program.” FTA, on behalf of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, apportions the funds appropriated annually to the States based on an administrative formula that considers the number of seniors and individuals with disabilities in each state.

The goal of the Section 5310 Program is to enhance mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the country. Towards this goal, FTA provides financial assistance for transportation services planned, designed and carried out to meet the special transportation needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities in all areas - urbanized, small urban, and rural. The program requires coordination with other federally assisted programs and services in order to make the most efficient use of Federal resources. 

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers over 250 scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing dietetics. Applicants complete a single application to be considered for multiple scholarships ranging from $500 to $25,000. Eligibility includes enrollment in an ACEND-accredited program and various special criteria. This initiative supports students from diverse backgrounds, encouraging future professionals in nutrition and dietetics. Membership in the Academy is recommended but not mandatory for application.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers over 250 scholarships for graduate and doctoral students pursuing degrees in nutrition and dietetics. With scholarship amounts ranging from $500 to $25,000, applicants can utilize a single application to be considered for multiple opportunities. Eligibility includes enrollment in accredited programs and other criteria such as experience in education or dietetics. Membership in the Academy is encouraged, although not required, for most scholarships.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers over 250 scholarships for dietetic interns, allowing a single application to apply for multiple awards. Scholarships range from $500 to $25,000, with eligibility for interns enrolled through June 30, 2024, including those with off-cycle matches. Applicants should consider their career goals in areas like clinical dietetics, culinary arts, and nutrition education. Academy membership is encouraged but not required. Fundraising determines the number of scholarships available each year.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers a variety of scholarships for students in the Dietetic Technician Program, with over 250 scholarships available. Ranging from $500 to $25,000, these scholarships help support aspiring dietetic professionals. Applicants need to complete a single application to be considered for multiple scholarships based on eligibility. Membership in the Academy is encouraged but not mandatory for applying.

Emergency Solutions Grant Program

What Is the ESG Program?

The Emergency Solutions Grant program (ESG) provides any individual experiencing homelessness with emergency shelter and essential supportive services as well as homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing. Additionally the ESG program supports the activity of street outreach with the goal of connecting those individuals and families living on the streets or in areas not meant for human habitation to emergency shelter or housing options. For those unwilling or unable to access shelter, outreach workers will provide these most vulnerable individuals with portable shelter, food, clothing, and more.

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development’s (WVCAD) goal is to enable those experiencing homelessness, or at-risk of being homeless to get back on their feet by providing stable housing environments throughout the State of West Virginia. The ESG program is by no means a “hand out”, but instead a “hand up” in providing housing and supportive services with hopes that the end result is self-sustainability with no return to homelessness.

To achieve this, WVCAD provides funding and resources to multiple agencies throughout the State with dedicated staff having the local reach and knowledge necessary to serve those experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless in their communities. This includes individualized case management, equitable provisions of supportive services, housing and utility assistance, housing information, and any additional referrals as needed. These funds are made possible through an annual funding allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

ESG services are a vital component to the stability and economic development of communities throughout West Virginia by assisting individuals and families who without this program’s assistance could become or remain homeless.

What Can the ESG Program Do for You? 

ESG provides emergency shelter, including domestic violence shelter options, for individuals who are living in a place not meant for human habitation. This includes facilities that provide shelter during the day or overnight and are dedicated to providing clients with the necessary tools and services to help them get back on their feet. These agencies are staffed by employees and volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of the most vulnerable and chronically homeless individuals in their communities.

The program rapidly rehouses individuals who, by no fault of their own, find themselves in a situation where they are literally homeless and are living in a place not meant for human habitation. This can be due to loss of income tied to a job loss, being trapped in a domestic violence situation, or being forced out of a residence. Agencies who provide this service follow a ‘housing first’ approach to ending homelessness in West Virginia, by getting clients into a stable housing environment as quickly as possible while providing essential services to help individuals get back on their feet. 

ESG also provides housing and utility assistance for homelessness prevention to keep individuals and families that are at imminent risk or at-risk of losing housing and have nowhere else to go gain the stability necessary to avoid experiencing homelessness. Agencies who provide homelessness prevention services can often assist individuals to keep their current housing arrangement, settle unpaid rent, provide utility assistance, or move individuals into a new location.

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development works to encourage strong civic engagement through INFRASTRUCTURE, SUSTAINABILITY, COMPLIANCE, and RESILIENCY. WV CAD administers state and federal programs designed to improve the quality of life in West Virginia.

Weatherization Assistance Program

What is Weatherization?

The West Virginia Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a federally funded program that helps to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons or to provide such persons renewable energy systems or technologies, reduce their total residential expenditures, and improve their health and safety, especially low-income persons who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with high energy burden. The full scope of the WV Weatherization Assistance Program can be read in the current State Plan. 

The State of West Virginia does not provide direct assistance to households. The State awards program funds to local non-profit Community Action Agencies that provide Weatherization services in all 55 counties of West Virginia. To see who provides Weatherization in your county, check out our resource map here.

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development works to encourage strong civic engagement through INFRASTRUCTURE, SUSTAINABILITY, COMPLIANCE, and RESILIENCY. WV CAD administers state and federal programs designed to improve the quality of life in West Virginia.

Neighborhood Investment Program

What is NIP?

The Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) is a tax credit program of $3 million each year, which allows 501(c)3 designated charitable organizations to apply for tax credit vouchers, which began in 1996 with $2 million. When awarded, the organization can distribute the vouchers to business and individuals who contribute a minimum of $500 to organizations, receiving up to 50% in tax credit, allowing the donor or corporation to reduce their West Virginia tax liability no more than 50%. The organizations pay a 3% fee on the donation, which offsets the administrative costs of NIP. 

Benefits of NIP

There are 15,883 non-profits in West Virginia and we assist 200 of them each year with NIP credits, which has leveraged over $143 million in donations since inception.

Projects generally eligible for program participation include but are not limited to the following:

• Health clinics
• Homeless shelters
• Educational programs
• Housing programs
• Preservation/revitalization activities
• Domestic violence shelters
• Children's shelters
• Meal delivery programs
• Senior citizens' centers
• Community foundations
• Scholarship programs
• Hospice care
• Transportation programs
• Day care centers
• Counseling services
• Services for the disabled

The NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award provides financial assistance to student-athletes who have exhausted their athletics eligibility, enabling them to complete their first undergraduate degree. Since its inception in 2001, nearly $9 million has supported approximately 1,875 athletes, with a remarkable 90 percent graduation rate among recipients. The award covers tuition costs up to $15,000 for remaining credits and may be used in the summer term or short terms surrounding the final undergraduate year.

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development

West Virginia Community Advancement and Development works to encourage strong civic engagement through INFRASTRUCTURE, SUSTAINABILITY, COMPLIANCE, and RESILIENCY. WV CAD administers state and federal programs designed to improve the quality of life in West Virginia.

Community Service Block Grant

The Community Service Block Grant is a federal anti-poverty program administered by the Community Advancement and Development office of the WV Department of Economic Development. CSBG is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and administered by the Office of Community Services ACF-OCS.

CSBG is not a competitive grant. Eligible applicants are Community Action Agencies that are designated by the Governor of West Virginia to administer the Community Services Block Grant. CSBG does not directly fund individuals but provides funding to Community Action Agencies throughout the state. The purpose in West Virginia is to aid a network of 15 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in the reduction of poverty, revitalization of low-income communities, and to provide economic opportunities for low-income families.

Organizations which were officially designated as Community Action Agencies (CAAs) under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and were specifically designated by the 1981 CSBG Act as eligible entities to receive CSBG funds.

All recipients of CSBG funds submit community action plans and budgets detailing the programs, services, and activities to be conducted using CSBG funding.

Benefits of CSBG

WV's Community Action Agencies are independent non-profit organizations each providing a unique mix of community services. CSBG funding supports projects that:

• Lessen poverty in communities
• Address the needs of low-income individuals including the homeless, migrants and the elderly
• Provide services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services and/or health

The Dennis Aaron Plumley Scholarship, offered by the Beckley Area Foundation, awards engineering students from Raleigh County, West Virginia, attending WVU or WVU Tech. Founded in 1985, the Foundation promotes charitable giving to strengthen local communities. This renewable scholarship prioritizes academic achievement and financial need, with a preference for Shady Spring High School graduates. The Beckley Area Foundation's mission encompasses various funding priorities, including education, health, and community improvement initiatives.

WV Culture: Arts in Education - Mini-Grants

What is an Arts in Education Mini-Grant? The Arts in Education Mini-Grant program is a funding opportunity of the West Virginia Commission on the Arts (WVCA) providing direct support to projects that present West Virginia artists in performances, workshops, and other arts education experiences serving PK-12 students.

The Coaching Enhancement Grant by the NCAA Division III aims to increase diversity in assistant coaching roles by providing financial support to member institutions. Over two years, selected schools receive $15,000 to cover salaries, requiring a matching contribution. This initiative encourages ethnic minority and gender representation, allowing up to 11 institutions to benefit annually, thus enhancing inclusivity in collegiate sports.

The WV Culture: Community Arts Mini-Grants program, funded by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History, offers up to $2,000 to support local governments and 501(c)3 organizations. This initiative funds projects that present artists through performances, workshops, and other arts-focused activities, aiming to enhance community engagement and cultural experiences.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant by the NCAA Division III aims to bolster ethnic minority and gender representation in senior athletics administration roles. With an annual budget of $1.6 million, it supports up to 46 schools and conferences over five years. Eligible institutions must be active NCAA Division III members and meet various requirements. This grant encourages diversity in leadership, fostering an inclusive environment for student-athletes.

The Community Arts Project Support (CAPS) Organizational Development Grant, offered by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History, provides up to $20,000 for public-facing arts projects across various artistic disciplines. This grant supports organizations in enhancing their community engagement and fostering artistic expression, ensuring that the arts thrive in local communities. Eligible projects must demonstrate a clear public benefit and contribute to the cultural landscape of West Virginia.

Nature's Path's Gardens for Good program empowers communities by funding organic gardens that address food insecurity. Since 2010, it has donated $930,000 CAD to support 120 gardens. In 2023, grants of $6,500 each will be awarded to 20 gardens across the U.S. and Canada. Eligible applicants must be registered non-profits with urban organic agriculture projects that serve low-income communities, promoting sustainable practices and inclusivity.

West Virginia students pursuing law or engineering degrees can access funding through the Ragland – Bowers Scholarship, administered by Beckley Area Foundation. Residents of the state, with preference for Raleigh, Fayette, and Wyoming counties, are considered based on financial need and academic ability for non-renewable support at West Virginia University.

The NRA Foundation: West Virginia Grants aims to support charitable initiatives that promote firearm safety, education, and shooting sports. Eligible organizations must hold a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and can include 501(c)(3) entities, government bodies, and recognized nonprofits. Ineligible groups include labor organizations, private businesses, and individuals. This funding opportunity is dedicated to fostering educational and safety programs aligned with the Foundation's mission.

With a mission to support higher education, Beckley Area Foundation provides West Virginia law and engineering students with need- and merit-based scholarship assistance. Residents, especially from Raleigh, Fayette, and Wyoming Counties, attending or planning to attend WVU School of Law or WVU School of Engineering and Mineral Resources may be eligible for this nonrenewable award.

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in West Virginia provide crucial funding to eligible communities for preparing and recovering from emergencies threatening their drinking water supply. This federal program, administered by USDA Rural Development, supports projects such as constructing or repairing water transmission lines and sources. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes, ensuring access to safe drinking water in rural areas affected by disasters like floods or chemical spills.

The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program, offered by The Nature Conservancy, provides up to $100,000 for projects that acquire land and easements throughout the Appalachian region. This program emphasizes equitable conservation, aiming to support historically marginalized communities and enhance access to nature while addressing climate change impacts. Projects must demonstrate community engagement and align with the program's goals to protect vital habitats and foster resilience in the face of environmental challenges.

Beckley Area Foundation

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.

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.

Scholarships

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Most of these scholarships must be awarded to students from our geographic area or at least preference given to such students. While the majority of scholarships benefit Raleigh County applicants there are others designated for Fayette, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming students. 

W.L., Catherine, Richard and Jon McBride Memorial Scholarship

Attending the WVU School of Engineering; Awarded on the basis of need and academic ability; West Virginia residents with preference being given to residents of Raleigh County.

This scholarship is not renewable.

Grants from Nora Roberts Foundation help West Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofits fund literacy-focused programs, with awards up to US $5,000. Organizations serving children or working in the arts, social justice, or environmental initiatives may also be eligible, including those providing youth services, humanitarian aid, and cultural programming across the state.

Beckley Area Foundation

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.

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.

Scholarships

The Beckley Area Foundation proudly manages scholarship funds established by individuals, businesses, and organizations dedicated to helping students pursue higher education. Many of these scholarships are tailored for specific schools, fields of study, or graduates from local high schools, while others offer broader opportunities. No matter the path, our scholarships aim to support students from our region as they work toward achieving their educational goals.

Most of these scholarships must be awarded to students from our geographic area or at least preference given to such students. While the majority of scholarships benefit Raleigh County applicants there are others designated for Fayette, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming students. 

Wyoming County Medical Field Scholarship Fund

Need and merit based; Graduates from Wyoming County East, Westside, or Wyoming County Career & Technical Center located in Wyoming County, West Virginia; Must be pursuing a program of study in medical field at University of Charleston-Beckley. Should UC-Beckley cease to offer majors in medical fields or have a physical presence in southern WV, the scholarship can be award to student pursuing medical field major at any accredited school in WV. 

This scholarship is renewable.