Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in West Virginia

The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation aims to foster human development in West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania by strategically distributing charitable resources. Guided by principles of collaboration and innovation, the Foundation supports community development and health initiatives. Their focus includes enhancing health care accessibility, promoting leadership, and addressing social determinants of health. They prioritize projects that engage diverse community members and encourage cross-sector collaboration to maximize impact and sustainability in these regions.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation invites applications for its discretionary grantmaking programs, focusing on Community Economic Development, Education, Health, Arts & Culture, and Basic Needs. Eligible applicants must be 501c3 nonprofits or government entities serving specific counties in West Virginia. The application process involves submitting a Project Summary form to a Program Officer and following the pre-proposal and final proposal deadlines. This initiative aims to enhance community well-being and support diverse projects.

Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation provides West Virginia nonprofits and public agencies with grants for education and economic development initiatives. 501(c)(3) organizations and qualified government units can seek support for teacher development, early childhood education, extended learning, career readiness, entrepreneurship, and technology-based economic growth, with an emphasis on innovative, collaborative, and cross-regional projects.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

The Highmark Foundation provides high-impact grants aimed at enhancing community health in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It supports evidence-based programs that address critical health issues, including chronic diseases, family health, and access to care. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate sustainable solutions and collaboration with community partners. By funding diverse health-related projects, it aims to improve the well-being of underserved populations, ensuring that vital health interventions reach those in need.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The PACF: Special and Urgent Needs (SUN) Grants provide up to $4,000 to support organizations facing unforeseen emergencies or opportunities requiring immediate funding. Open to 501(c)(3) non-profits and public institutions in the PACF’s 11-county service area, these grants aim to quickly address urgent community needs. Applications can be submitted anytime to the Foundation's Senior Program Officer, ensuring timely assistance for critical projects.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Hansen Family Foundation Grant seeks to empower organizations that uphold the American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Focused on diverse causes like children, education, animals, environmental conservation, humanitarian efforts, and arts, the foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that create positive change. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while political campaigns and organizations with high budgets or overheads are ineligible. This grant fosters impactful contributions to society.

West Virginia nonprofits and community partners working on farming and food systems can access funding through Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education for social science research and education projects. Awards of US $50,000 - US $250,000 support community-based, farmer-informed initiatives that improve the health and sustainability of agricultural communities across the Northeast region, including West Virginia.

The Fall Community Action Grants Program, initiated by the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations and public institutions within an 11-county area in West Virginia and Washington County, Ohio. Grants up to $20,000 are awarded for projects in arts, education, health, and community development. Special consideration is given to initiatives fostering inclusive communities and addressing social issues. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations or public agencies, with a focus on collaborative projects that benefit local residents.

The PACF Community Action Grants support nonprofits in West Virginia through a competitive grant process twice a year. Grants up to $20,000 are available for diverse fields such as Arts, Education, and Community Development. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities serving the Foundation's 11-county area. Projects addressing community needs and enhancing organizational capacity are prioritized, especially in areas with limited support options. Interested applicants should ensure project eligibility before applying.

The Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Charitable Fund Grant is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, established in 1992. It focuses on philanthropy, specifically supporting K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations. The foundation directs its grants primarily to regions preferred by donors, including several states in the Northeast and Midwest, aiming to improve educational opportunities and foster community development in underserved populations.

The Impact Fund provides recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits and small law firms working on social, environmental, and economic justice issues. With over $10 million awarded since 1992, the fund supports impactful litigation addressing systemic injustices. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 and prioritize cases directly involving affected communities. Recipients must repay the grant amount with interest if they recover fees or costs, ensuring sustainability for future funding.

Nonprofit organizations, most state and local governments, and federally recognized tribes in rural West Virginia can seek USDA Rural Development funding to address emergencies threatening safe drinking water, with awards up to US $1,000,000. Grants support constructing or repairing water transmission lines, and developing new water sources, intakes, or treatment facilities in eligible low-income rural areas.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in West Virginia provides essential funding for rural communities to develop clean drinking water, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and stormwater systems. Eligible applicants, including state and local governments and nonprofits, can use these funds for construction, legal fees, and operational costs. This program aims to enhance public health and environmental quality in underserved areas, ensuring access to reliable water and waste services.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, local governments, and individual artists in West Virginia can receive up to US $5,000 for group arts projects that teach new skills to adults. West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History supports creative aging, adult education, and art education initiatives that engage community members in lifelong learning.

Nonprofit conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in West Virginia can seek funding for fee and easement land acquisition projects that enhance resilient, connected habitats and community benefits. The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program offers up to US $100,000 for eligible projects within its Appalachians Program boundary.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

The Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund supports innovative projects in the Mid-Atlantic region, offering up to $5,000 to organizations committed to protecting cultural and natural resources. Established in 1996, this fund promotes collaboration among various stakeholders, facilitates policy development, and enhances public engagement in preservation issues. Eligible activities include planning and education efforts, requiring applicants to match grant funds and adhere to specific conditions to ensure effective use of resources for community sustainability.

The Rural Business Development Grants in West Virginia aim to provide essential technical assistance and training for small rural businesses, defined as those with fewer than 50 employees and under $1 million in gross revenue. Funding is prioritized for smaller requests, with no maximum limit and no cost-sharing required. Grants can be utilized for various projects, including training, land acquisition, pollution control, and community economic development, thereby fostering growth in rural areas.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

The George F. & Elah P. Evans Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing healthcare and educational opportunities for residents in Harrison and Lewis Counties, West Virginia. This private foundation aims to support charitable organizations that align with its mission, specifically those recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Notably, individual applicants are not eligible to apply for funding under this grant program.