Best Grants for Charities in West Virginia

Agricultural producers, nonindustrial private forest owners, Tribes, and water management entities in West Virginia can apply for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service EQIP support to implement conservation practices on working lands. Funding provides technical and financial assistance to improve soil health, water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience, which may benefit eligible charities managing agricultural or forest operations.

Charitable 501(c)(3) and similar tax-exempt organizations working in education, human services, conservation, health, or cultural programs, including those serving West Virginia, can apply for McGraw Foundation grants; awards range from US $2,000 - US $10,000. Funding may support general operations, specific projects, or occasional capital needs across these focus areas.

West Virginia graduate students researching drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can access funding through the American Water Works Association’s Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship. This US $3,000 award supports research that delivers actionable, timely solutions to current challenges in the water industry, which may benefit local charities and communities they serve.

Health-focused 501(c)(3) charities in West Virginia can seek programmatic support to improve community health, including prevention and early intervention efforts. Grants from Highmark Foundation help organizations address chronic disease, family and mental health, nutrition and physical activity, and access to care through evidence-based, scalable programs that can serve multiple counties and demonstrate sustainable impact.

Charities, public agencies, and educational institutions serving designated Weyerhaeuser communities in West Virginia can seek support for community programs, housing, education, environment, and human services. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund provides grants over US $1,000, prioritizing broad impact, strong local support, and measurable improvements in quality of life.

Charitable organizations in West Virginia serving women and children through self-sufficiency, education, humanitarian aid, or related services can apply for The Father's Table Foundation’s competitive grants, with awards up to US $750,000. Programs in areas like homelessness, food security, health care, child welfare, and anti-human trafficking may be supported.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in West Virginia conducting biomedical research can apply for NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards, with projects funded up to Up to US $375,000. Eligible colleges and universities must award baccalaureate science degrees and have limited prior NIH support, offering research experiences primarily for undergraduate students.

Established 501(c)(3) charities in West Virginia seeking funding for tangible items can apply for grants up to US $10,000. With a mission to strengthen communities, Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation provides support for programs in areas like human services, health, education, environment, arts, religion, and community development, with preference for Northern West Virginia counties.

West Virginia 501(c)(3) charities with projects in communities where Cleveland-Cliffs operates can apply for Cleveland Cliffs Foundation grants to support education, environmental initiatives, or healthy and vibrant communities. Eligible nonprofits may include those focused on STEM education, workforce readiness, conservation, community development, health access, or services for underserved populations.

Early-career research scientists at low- or middle-income country academic or research institutions conducting clinical trials in areas like cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health, or environmental health can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, offering approximately US $140,000. Focused on global health research careers, the National Institutes of Health supports long-term, mentored development that may benefit West Virginia partners and collaborators.

Grants for West Virginia charities and other organizations providing after-school and summer academic enrichment can support community learning centers serving children from high-poverty, low-performing schools. Grants from West Virginia Department of Education offer US $50,000 - US $250,000 for programs that boost core academics, enrichment, family literacy, and student social-emotional development over multi-year awards.

Agricultural producers and private forest landowners in West Virginia can receive payments to implement and enhance conservation practices like cover crops, rotational grazing, and pollinator habitat. With a mission to support sustainable agriculture and natural resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of West Virginia offers five-year Conservation Stewardship Program contracts, including a Grassland Conservation Initiative for eligible grazing lands.

Charitable 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(1) organizations serving low- and moderate-income communities can seek program support for community revitalization, services, affordable housing, and economic development within Huntington’s footprint, including West Virginia. With a mission to build self-sufficiency and equity, Huntington National Bank provides invited charities with funding for targeted, program-specific initiatives rather than general operations.

Early-career research scientists in eligible low- or middle-income countries proposing health-related research can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, which provides approximately US $140,000 for mentored career development. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports projects aligned with applicants’ national health priorities, which may include collaborations benefiting West Virginia charities and partners.

Charitable organizations and community programs in West Virginia working on community health, economic resilience, or education access can seek support for services that improve health and well-being. Highmark supports initiatives such as access to care, food and housing stability, workforce and career preparation, and neighborhood and community development through its Bright Blue Futures corporate giving program.

Who We Are

Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s Commission for National and Community Service, challenges West Virginians to strengthen their communities through service and volunteerism. The Commission administers West Virginia’s AmeriCorps service programs. We also administer additional programming to help meet the state’s volunteer and community service needs.

Purpose of AmeriCorps Funding

AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture. An organization that receives an AmeriCorps Planning Grant will work with Volunteer West Virginia to develop a viable AmeriCorps program that addresses identified community needs.

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is an individual who engages in community service through an approved national service position. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

AmeriCorps Focus Areas

Economic Opportunity

Grants will provide support and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to the improved economic well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people; help economically disadvantaged people, to have improved access to services that enhance financial literacy; transition into or remain in safe, healthy, affordable housing; and/or have improved employability leading to increased success in becoming employed.

Education  

Grants will provide support and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to improved educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged children; improved school readiness for economically disadvantaged young children; improved educational and behavioral outcomes of students in low-achieving elementary, middle, and high schools; and/or support economically disadvantaged students’ preparation for success in post-secondary educational institutions.

Healthy Futures

Grants will provide support for activities that will address the opioid crisis; increase seniors’ ability to remain in their own homes with the same or improved quality of life for as long as possible; and/or increase physical activity and improve nutrition with the purpose of reducing obesity. 

Environmental Stewardship

Grants will support responsible stewardship of the environment, while preparing communities for challenging climate and environmental circumstances and helping Americans respond to and recover from disruptive events: programs that conserve natural habitats; protect clean air and water; maintain public lands; support wildland fire mitigation and sustainable forest management; cultivate individual and community resilience; and provide reforestation services after floods or fires, such as nature based solutions.

Veterans and Military Families

Grants will improve the quality of life of veterans and improve military family well-being; increase the number of veterans, wounded warriors, military service members, and their caregivers, families, and survivors served by AmeriCorps programs; and/or increase the number of veterans and military family members engaged in service through AmeriCorps programs.

Disaster Services

Grants will support increased and improved disaster services for individuals and communities to prepare and adapt to disasters, including but not limited to climate change events. Activities will provide support to increase preparedness for disasters, improve readiness to respond to disasters, support recovery efforts from disasters, and/or assist in the implementation of pre-disaster mitigation and adaptation measures. Grants will support communities and individuals in planning for disasters, in particular engaging disadvantaged communities in the planning process.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering education-focused or youth-serving programs in West Virginia can access funding through the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, with typical awards of US $5,000 - US $20,000. Additional support may be available for arts and culture, community initiatives, environmental education, historic preservation, and related projects that benefit disadvantaged or youth populations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public institutions improving health and neighborhood conditions in West Virginia’s Mid-Ohio Valley can seek more than US $5,000 for projects or general operating support. Focused on community health, Sisters Health Foundation invites charities to advance healthy eating and active living, thriving neighborhoods, or mental health and addiction services.

Grants from Biogen Foundation help West Virginia charities and institutions fund congresses, events, and initiatives in neuroscience, neurology, and related disease areas. Organizations hosting programs on conditions like Alzheimer’s, ALS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, stroke, and other neurological or immune diseases may be eligible for corporate sponsorship with tangible recognition or marketing benefits.

Charities and 501(c)(3) organizations working on regenerative agriculture, healthy food access, climate justice, or pollution-free environments may be eligible for general operating support, including groups in West Virginia. Focused on grassroots, community-based change, Clif Family Foundation offers US $5,000 - US $50,000 one-year grants, with priority for U.S.-focused, smaller-budget organizations.

About Us

Funding through the many programs offered by the West Virginia Community Advancement and Development office have improved the quality of life in our state in a variety of ways. Learn more about the impact we have had in the communities where you live and work.

Neighborhood Investment Program

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. During this time, approximately 68,190 donations from individuals and businesses have been received.

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.

Funding for NIP

Amount: $3 million annually

Source of Funds: State of West Virginia

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 William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on education, environmental protection, medical research, and support for the underprivileged. This trust, based in Florida, primarily serves communities in Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie Counties, along with select areas in Appalachia. It seeks to assist public charities classified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring support for impactful charitable initiatives.

The Soil and Water Stewardship Scholarship, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, provides financial support to students pursuing careers in natural resources. Applicants must reside in specific Illinois counties and plan to enroll in a full-time program related to fields such as ecology, hydrology, and conservation. Academic performance is a key consideration in the selection process. For more details, contact the Winnebago County Soil & Water Conservation District.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund

The NAFC Healthcare Services Expansion Fund supports the launch or expansion of clinical programs and new service areas that increase access to care for underserved patients. This funding is designed to help NAFC members introduce new services or grow existing programs that address unmet community health needs and improve access to comprehensive, patient-centered care.

The OECD Conference Sponsorship aims to enhance scientific knowledge and provide essential information to influence policy decisions on sustainable resource use in food, agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. It supports international events that showcase innovative research and developments, inviting applications from scientists in these fields. The event sponsorship encourages collaboration among policymakers, industry, and academia, ensuring that research insights are effectively communicated and utilized in decision-making processes.

The EWVCF Two Rivers Giving Circle Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties focused on historic preservation and natural resource conservation. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 are available for projects like safeguarding habitats, engaging children with nature, and promoting recycling efforts. Eligible applicants include established nonprofits and civic groups. A final report detailing outcomes and expenses is required by August 31 of the following year.