Best Sustainability Grants in West Virginia

State and local agencies, local governing boards, nonprofits, tribes, and higher education institutions in eligible Appalachian counties can seek funding for critical infrastructure and business and workforce development projects in West Virginia. The Appalachian Regional Commission’s Area Development Program supports water and wastewater systems, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, worker training, and related efforts that may advance regional sustainability goals.

West Virginia 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies seeking support for community development or health initiatives can apply for grants up to Up to US $200,000. Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation funds projects improving health care access, chronic disease prevention, leadership development, civic engagement, and technology access that strengthen communities and quality of life across the state.

The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation promotes human development in West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania by providing strategic charitable resources. The foundation focuses on education and economic development, prioritizing projects that enhance teacher quality, support early childhood education, and foster innovative economic initiatives. By investing in programs that bridge geographical boundaries and encourage collaboration among sectors, the foundation aims to cultivate leadership and sustainable growth in the region.

West Virginia 501(c)(3) public charities improving community health can access funding through the Highmark Foundation to run evidence-based programs and interventions. Eligible projects include chronic disease prevention, family and mental health initiatives, and improving access to care and clinics, which may benefit organizations integrating environmental or sustainability elements into their health-focused work.

Grants from Appalachian Community Fund help West Virginia LGBTQ community-based organizations build capacity, strengthen institutional resources, and support grassroots organizing. Eligible 501(c)(3) groups or fiscally sponsored projects in designated Appalachian counties can request up to US $2,000, with priority for new and emerging efforts, especially those engaging LGBTQ youth and advancing social, economic, racial, and environmental justice.

For-profit and nonprofit organizations addressing healthcare access, food security, or economic vitality in the U.S. and Puerto Rico can apply for the Social Impact Fund’s nationwide grant, with awards up to Up to US $500,000. American Heart Association supports scalable, evidence-based solutions that strengthen health, which may benefit sustainability-focused work in West Virginia’s under-resourced communities.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms in West Virginia bringing impact litigation for environmental, economic, racial, or social justice can apply for the Impact Fund’s recoverable grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $50,000 for out-of-pocket litigation costs. Cases advancing environmental conservation and justice for systematically oppressed communities may be especially competitive.

West Virginia nonprofits, public schools, and state or municipal organizations can access funding through Toyota for STEM education, workforce readiness, and other community-focused programs. Eligible groups in primary counties Putnam, Kanawha, and Cabell, plus secondary counties Mason, Raleigh, and Monongalia, may receive support for long-term, sustainable initiatives that can include environmental and sustainability efforts.

West Virginia sustainability and agriculture-focused organizations can access funding through Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education to run social science research and education projects that strengthen farming and food systems. Grants of US $50,000 - US $250,000 support community-based, farmer-informed initiatives in areas like marketing, crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and economic or ecological sustainability across the Northeast region.

Public charities with 501(c)(3) status in West Virginia working on environmental sustainability, social justice, or population stability can apply for the Dunn Foundation’s support. Funding preferences go to nonprofits addressing issues like climate change, sustainable forestry, alternative energy, land use planning, government accountability, and related coalition-building or land protection efforts.

West Virginia environmental and community-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through the EQT Foundation to support conservation, environmental education, and sustainable community initiatives. Grants of approximately US $15,000 may benefit organizations in northern West Virginia counties working on projects like green space preservation, watershed conservation, community gardens, and related STEM or workforce education efforts.

Nonprofit and community organizations addressing issues like food security, children’s health, clean water, workforce readiness, and technology access in West Virginia and the broader Appalachian Basin can seek project support through the CNX Foundation. Grants from CNX Foundation help sustainability-focused efforts that create tangible, measurable local impact in communities facing socio-economic challenges.

Undergraduate mechanical or architectural engineering students focused on sustainability-related building systems in West Virginia can receive up to US $5,000 for one year of study through the David C. J. Peters Scholarship. American Society of Heating Refrigerating & A C Engineers limits eligibility to full-time students at specific universities, including West Virginia University and Virginia Tech.

High school seniors in West Virginia and nearby mid-Atlantic states planning full-time undergraduate STEM study at a four-year college can apply for Scholarship America’s HRG Charitable Foundation Scholarship, with awards up to US $5,000. Students interested in sustainability-related STEM fields may benefit if they meet the GPA and residency requirements.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving women and girls in West Virginia counties can receive up to US $10,000 for programs that build life skills, promote health, address violence, and advance gender equity. Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley’s Women’s Giving Circle supports prevention-focused, research-based initiatives that create systemic, lasting impact and may benefit sustainability-related efforts in these communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and families with primary or secondary health prevention programs in West Virginia can seek multi-year, flexible support that promotes systemic change. Grants from Sisters of St. Joseph Health & Wellness Foundation help West Virginia groups advancing children’s health, early childhood development, and related services, which may benefit sustainability-focused initiatives improving community well-being.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Beckley Area Foundation provides West Virginia student-athletes with need-based scholarship support for higher education. Graduating seniors from Raleigh County high schools who play baseball or softball and demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the one-time Carl J. Hodges Scholarship Fund award.

West Virginia engineering students from Raleigh County attending WVU or WVU Tech can receive renewable scholarship support for tuition and related higher education costs. Raleigh County sustainability and environmental conservation students may be eligible if enrolled in engineering fields. The Beckley Area Foundation’s Dennis Aaron Plumley Scholarship considers academic achievement, financial need, and prefers Shady Spring High School graduates.

The Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program, funded by the EPA and Chesapeake Bay Trust, supports innovative green infrastructure projects enhancing community livability. With funding opportunities ranging from conceptual plans to full project implementation, this program aims to reduce stormwater runoff, improve urban green spaces, and boost local water health within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Eligible locations include parts of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, as well as New York.

Nonprofit and community organizations working on historic preservation and environmental conservation in West Virginia and other Mid-Atlantic states can apply for up to US $7,500 to support planning and education projects. Grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation fund professional preservation planning, policy development, and public outreach that protect natural and cultural resources and promote sustainable, livable communities.

West Virginia 501(c)(3) charitable organizations seeking support for community services can apply for West Virginia Community Advancement and Development’s Neighborhood Investment Program; awards up to US $100,000 in tax credit vouchers to leverage donations. Eligible projects include health, housing, education, food delivery, shelters, senior services, and other community-focused initiatives that may advance local sustainability and resilience.

West Virginia Black cultural and heritage storytellers can access funding through the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation to sustain and share Black Appalachian oral traditions; awards are US $5,000. Individual culture bearers with strong ties to ARC-designated Appalachian counties who uphold family or community storytelling practices may be eligible and are honored at a national storytelling festival.

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, public institutions, and government entities in West Virginia’s Nicholas County can receive US $250 - US $10,000 for capital, equipment, and special programs. Nicholas County Community Foundation supports projects in arts and culture, education, health and human services, recreation, youth and family services, and parks that address local needs and expand community impact.

The Corrine and Henry Bower Memorial Foundation Grant offers approximately $35,000 annually to support wellness, education, and visual arts programs in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The foundation prioritizes year-round programming, measurable outcomes, and collaboration with other organizations. However, it does not fund general operating costs, new programs, or for-profit entities. Eligible applicants must have a proven track record of service and demonstrate financial accountability.

Nonprofit organizations providing K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations can seek project support from the Ruth Danley and William Enoch Moore Fund, including in West Virginia. Focus is on year-round, direct-service educational programs with measurable outcomes, strong financial accountability, collaboration, and demonstrated community demand; awards are approximately US $77,000.

Local watershed and stream-focused organizations in West Virginia can receive up to US $5,000 for habitat and ecosystem restoration, water quality projects, and community stewardship activities. Grants from West Virginia Conservation Agency support citizen-led partnerships improving streams and rivers through restoration, monitoring, recreation access, education, and green infrastructure projects completed within the grant year.