Charleston, WV – The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) Board of Trustees approved the distribution of 29 grants totaling $956,900.
TGKVF awarded $48,000 to Arts & Culture projects, $59,500 to Basic Needs projects, and $465,900 to projects in the Foundation’s proactive areas of Community Economic Development (CED), Education, and Health. In addition, continued generous support from an anonymous donor provided funding to Dental and Emergency Aid projects totaling $238,000. Additional awards include $73,500 to Field-of-Interest projects and $72,000 to General Special Initiatives.
The Bob Burdette Center, Inc. – Bob Burdette Center After School & Summer Enrichment Program: $20,000 (Education)
This project provides daily academic support, STREAM enrichment, personalized tutoring, social-emotional learning, violence prevention, and wellness education. Students receive year-round meals, and families benefit from resources like hygiene and meal kits. TGKVF funding will support certified teacher salaries, tutoring materials, nutritious meals, family engagement events, and garden program supplies.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Tri-State (BBBSTS) – BBBSTS Expansion to Putnam and Kanawha Counties: $29,800 (Education)
BBBSTS expanded the program’s service area to include Kanawha and Putnam Counties in 2022. The partnership with TGKVF allows the expansion through staffing support, partnership development, mentor and mentee engagement, and marketing and recruiting costs.
Legal Aid of West Virginia, Inc. – Lawyer in the School: $60,500 (Education)
Lawyer in the School (LIS) stabilizes the lives of school families by providing free legal assistance on kinship care, custody, eviction, housing stability, and public benefits, school based clinics, and school partner referrals. LIS also participates in school events to educate families about legal issues impacting stability. Funding will support LIS staff in maintaining strong partnerships with schools, delivering critical legal services, and helping families overcome barriers that threaten their well-being and their children’s academic success.
West Side Neighborhood Association, Inc. – West Side Clean, Safe & Engaged 2025: $39,000
West Side Clean, Safe & Engaged 2025 is an effort to tackle challenges identified by the Westside Together outreach. The West Side Neighborhood Association will continue to focus on education and clean-up efforts, safety and security efforts, volunteer activation, and organizational development. These initiatives will build community engagement and neighbor efforts.
City of Madison – Madison Outdoor Economy & Revitalization Pan: $35,000 (CED)
The Madison Outdoor Economy & Revitalization Plan will guide trail development at the Rucker Branch Natural Area, the revitalization of Main Street in downtown Madison, and the redevelopment of the municipal swimming pool. Developing a plan will ensure successful implementation of funding and stakeholder engagement and generate authentic community excitement and support.
Partner Community Capital, Inc. – Undervalued No More: Catalyzing Economic Development by Championing Overlooked People and Places: $65,000 (CED)
Partners Community Capital (PCAP) is seeking to provide customized business counseling and technical assistance to women and minority entrepreneurs, as well as entrepreneurs in the tourism and outdoor recreation industry, to catalyze place-based economic development in Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam Counties. By prioritizing and supporting these sectors, there can be significant job growth, revenue generation, and long-term wealth building in communities. PCAP will support technical assistance such as marketing and business planning to ensure business growth and stability.
Civil Military Innovation Institute (CMI2) – ILLUME Building a Brighter Future: $45,000 (CED)
The ILLUME Program, led by the CMI2, expands STEM and skilled trades training opportunities for K-12 students in Clay County. ILLUME prepares students for high demand careers and addresses economic disparities through access to advanced makerspaces, mobile labs, internships, and educator support. TGKVF funding will support acquiring essential STEM equipment, 3D printers, drones, robotics kits, and instructional materials to enhance hands-on learning. ILLUME also connects students to national defense innovation and real-world technology, empowering them with skills for future workforce success.
FamilyCare Health Centers – Prescribing Better Health Produce Prescription (PRx) Program: $50,000 (Health)
FamilyCare Health Centers PRx will provide 85 patients with chronic diseases and food
insecurity with a $50 monthly stipend for six months using a preloaded debit card. Patients may purchase fruits and vegetables at several locations. When referred by a medical provider, eligible patients will also have access to nutrition education classes. The program aims to improve health by increasing access to and consumption of fresh produce in Boone, Clay, Kanawha, and Putnam counties. TGKVF funding will support all aspects of the program, including stipends and educational resources.
Active Southern West Virginia – Active SWV Kids Run Clubs of the Greater Kanawha Valley: $17,500 (Health)
The Active SWV Kids Run Club program seeks to improve the health of southern West Virginia’s youth by empowering them with the opportunities, skills, knowledge, and confidence to be physically active. Kids Run Clubs are free and open to elementary schools in all six countries that The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation serves. Funding will be used to support the expansion of the service area covered, including club mini-grants, program materials and equipment, travel, and staff time.
Lewis County Family Resource Network (DBA Try This WV) – Try This WV: $30,000 (Health)
The Try This WV team will solicit applications and support six new healthy-community mini-grant projects of $3,000 or less and totaling no more than $18,000 to increase access to physical activity and healthy food in the TGKVF six-county footprint with training opportunities in grant writing, project management, and sustainability. Each project will also receive monthly check-ins and potential site visits, and volunteer support facilitated by an AmeriCorps member living and serving in those counties. Funding from TGKVF will support an AmeriCorps member and mini-grants.
Just for Kids, Inc. – Fayette County Project GRACE: $30,000 (Health)
Project GRACE (Gathered Response to Address Child Exploitation), proposed by Just for Kids, Inc., will use funding to address child exploitation and trafficking in Fayette County, West Virginia. The funds will be used to build capacity in Fayette County by providing transportation for medical evaluations, training on emergency necessities for multidisciplinary team members on best practices, and developing program materials. The project aims to improve the mental, physical, and emotional health of vulnerable children through trauma-informed care and cross-agency collaboration.
New Roots Community Farm – Supporting Food Access, Nutrition Education, & Agricultural Learning Opportunities in the New River Gorge Region: $44,100 (Health)
New Roots Community Farm (NFCF) will partner with Fayette County Board of Education to increase the amount of locally grown food served in Fayette County Schools, expand agricultural experimental learning opportunities for students, and document best practices to strengthen farm-to-school programs statewide. TGKVF funding will support staffing and supplies needed to deliver farm-to-school activities and develop new community events that promote healthy community connections and lifestyles around food and farming.
Charleston Ballet, Inc. – Charleston Ballet 70th Anniversary Season: $20,000 (Arts & Culture)
Funding from TGKVF will support the Charleston Ballet’s 70th Anniversary Season by assisting with local and guest artist rehearsal and performance fees, travel, housing, and new costumes. Performances serve audiences from TGKVF’s six-county service area and exhibit educational and cultural diversity components, including BALLET FOR ALL and 21st Century After-School programs.
The Norman Jordan African American Arts and Heritage Academy – Summer Youth Arts & Heritage Academy: $15,000 (Arts &Culture)
During July, 30-40 students will convene on the campus of West Virginia State University for artistic and cultural heritage classes. In addition to intensive training in their chosen art form, students will also be taught aspects of African American history and cultural heritage. Students will attend performances by guest artists and take relevant field trips. Students, faculty, and counselors will reside in university housing and have all meals in the university dining hall.
Multi-Cultural Festival of WV, Inc. – Cultural Celebration with Multifest 35: $13,000 (Arts & Culture)
Multifest is a multicultural festival that consistently provides cultural entertainment, programming, and presentations for festival participants from Fayette, Kanawha, and Putnam Counties. TGKVF funding will be used for graphic designs and printing, advertisement and marketing, and fireworks to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the festival.
Rea of Hope Fellowship Home, Inc. (DBA Rea of Hope, Inc.) – Rea of Hope Utilities: $24,500 (Basic Needs Multi-Year)
TGKVF funding will support the operation of Rea of Hope’s mission to help West Virginia women suffering from alcohol and drug addiction by teaching the life skills and self-sufficiency required to reach sustained recovery while providing safe, affordable, and supportive housing for them and their children. Specifically, funding will be used for building utilities.
BackpackBuddy.Org – 2025 BackpackBuddy.Org Summer Program: $35,000 (Basic Needs)
The BackpackBuddy.Org Summer Program empowers communities to provide nutritional, educational, and personal care and development items to students during their summer break from school. Due to the rural nature of Boone, Clay, Kanawha, and Putnam counties, ensuring students receive the support they need can be difficult. To ensure students receive the available support, boxes of nutritional, educational, and personal care and development items are mailed multiple times during the summer break.
Housing Innovations Corporation – Meeting the Needs of Older Adults in Our Community: $25,500 (Field-of-Interest)
This project will help older adults in Charleston-Kanawha public housing with acute emergency needs such as transportation, utilities, and rental deposit, and address difficulties with the spread of bed bugs. Funds will be available for laundry and cleaning supplies and mattress protectors. Essential household, hygiene, and food items will be available for residents. Resources will be offered relating to financial literacy, understanding federal programs such as Medicare, fraud prevention, and end-of-life planning and programming to increase social, emotional, and physical wellness, likely decreasing the risk of seniors becoming homeless or being admitted to a higher level of care.
Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley, Inc. – Serving Seniors, Neighbor to Neighbor: $48,000 (Field-of-Interest)
The Serving Seniors, Neighbor to Neighbor project will increase volunteer capacity by working with consultants to help meet the objectives of the recently created Volunteer Management Strategic Plan through messaging, outreach, storytelling, and collaboration.
Furthermore, the project will assist with seniors’ emergent needs, bridging the gap between crisis points and solution resources. There has been a marked increase in these types of referrals from area agencies that aren’t able to respond quickly to a critical need. Serving Seniors, Neighbor to Neighbor operates in Kanawha County.
West Virginia Nonprofit Association – Stories from the Sector Meeting Needs Amid Uncertainty – $22,000 (Special Initiatives)
Nonprofits across the Kanawha Valley and throughout West Virginia are facing ongoing reduction of critical federal funding. Organizations that provide food, housing, healthcare, and job training are being strained. With its partners, The West Virginia Nonprofit Association will launch a public awareness effort rooted in West Virginia, bringing challenges to light through the voices of those directly impacted. By sharing stories from the Kanawha Valley and beyond, the project will highlight the human impact of these disruptions, build public understanding, and underscore what services are being cut due to decreased funding.
Ron Clark Academy – Kanawha County Teacher Training and Support: $50,000 (Special Initiatives)
Ron Clark Academy (RCA) is a highly acclaimed, nonprofit middle school in Atlanta, Georgia. Part of the school’s model is providing professional development for educators in schools across the nation. In partnership with Huntington Bank, Kanawha County Schools, along with other West Virginia county districts, will be providing teacher training to educators in 4th to 8th-grade classrooms. Funding will support 10 teachers with scholarships to attend training as well as 10 mini-grants to implement the ideas they bring back to their classrooms.
Rea of Hope Fellowship Home, Inc. (DBA Rea of Hope, Inc.) – Rea of Hope Dental Fund: $13,000 (Dental)
Rea of Hope (ROH) provides safe, affordable, and supportive long-term sober living for West Virginia women suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, as well as their children. Priority is given to women living in Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam counties. ROH is committed to helping low-income, uninsured, and underinsured program participants restore their natural teeth, if possible, or replace teeth, while connecting them to a dental home for future care.
West Virginia Health Right – Dental Care for Impoverished Adults: $125,000 (Dental)
Many West Virginia adults face various social determinants of health, including transportation and financial barriers, which prevent them from having adequate access to dental care. West Virginia Health Right eliminates these barriers through its onsite dental clinic in Charleston and its Mobile Dental Unit that provides preventative and restorative treatment and oral health and hygiene education services to impoverished adults. Services onboard the Mobile Dental Unit are provided in five rural counties, including Boone and Clay counties, while services at the main clinic in Charleston are provided to residents from various counties, including Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam counties.
American Red Cross – Disaster Cycle Services: Emergency Disaster Relief: $5,000 (Emergency Aid)
As the American Red Cross navigates a nearly continuous disaster response to the severe weather affecting communities throughout the region, it remains committed to delivering immediate relief, hope, and healing to families impacted by disasters like floods, tornadoes, and fires. The program secures food and lodging for families who have nowhere to go, providing them with the essential support they need during their most vulnerable moments.
BARN Community Group, Inc. – Basic Needs/Operation: $22,500 (Emergency Aid)
BARN Community Center will use funding to continue providing Boone County with an accessible food pantry and basic needs closet to help stabilize county residents in need. The ability to meet these basic needs will alleviate stress on families, helping build a strong family unit and community base.
Pollen8, Inc. – ABHC Client Needs Support: $25,000 (Emergency Aid)
Pollen8’s 30-bed women’s recovery center faces a critical need for reliable food and drug testing kits. These essential tools ensure client safety while providing measurable recovery
milestones. There has been a significant increase in utility costs for both the treatment center and office space, and there is a funding gap between food costs and SANP benefit reimbursements. Funding for this project will support these urgent needs, enabling comprehensive testing protocols, nutritional security, and operational stability.
SOAR WV- Save a Life Day 2025: $20,000 (Emergency Aid)
Save A Life Day 2025 will distribute life-saving naloxone across at least 500 counties nationally. Locally, through partnering with health, faith, business, and recovery leaders, partners will distribute 7,000 doses of naloxone throughout Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam counties, empowering 2,500 community members with naloxone training on Save A Life Day. Funds will be used to bolster staff supporting this project, extend financial support to individual county events, and build SOAR capacity.
United Way of Southern West Virginia – Bridging the Gap: $7,500 (Emergency Aid)
Serving Fayette County, United Way of Southern West Virginia will identify residents in need through the 2-1-1 Information and Referral Hotline. 2-1-1 receives 800 calls from Fayette County annually for information regarding emergency utility and housing assistance. The program will identify those callers who suffer hardships by contacting the multiple resources within the United Way’s database. Direct aid for emergency utility or housing payments will be provided through the Bridging the Gap funding.
Walking Miracles, Org – Walking Miracles Cancer Navigation Program: $20,000 (Emergency Aid)
The Walking Miracles Cancer Navigation Program provides services to 60 patients and families using a pediatric patient navigator who will provide counseling support and cancer education to patients and families throughout the cancer continuum of care. The program will also conduct community and patient education about cancer survivorship, Walking Miracles programs, and how to access services. TGKVF funding will support twenty patients and families with Packages of Hope that include travel cards, electronic tablets, and chemo port shirts.
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is grateful to our community of generous donors who make these and other grants possible. The programs and work approved for the second quarter of 2025 are supported by the following funds: J. Honor Davis, II; George and Josephine Rogers; Morton F. Hess Memorial; Harry and Florence Silverstein; Lois and Larry C. Kaufman, Jr.; James F. Duncan Charitable; Mary Jane Mason Fisher General; General; General City National Bank; Rebecca Dickinson Goldsmith Memorial; Nan Nash Grosscup; Fred Haddad, General; John Roy Harris; General Huntington Banks; General JP Morgan; General United National Bank; Vernon B. “Bucky” Harris; Bessie E. Henson Memorial; Georgia Singleton Herscher Memorial; Grace S. Herscher Memorial; Alfred and Lucy McClung; Zelma Drennen Memorial; Loewenstein #2; McJunkin-Jones Family; Mary S. Moses Memorial; Dorothy M. and Charles N. Jardin; Raleigh and Rita #2 Jimison; Bernard H. Jacobson Cultural; Youth Enrichment Fund; Blanche E. Jacobson; Les and Verna Evans Memorial; Britt and Judy McJunkin; Prichard #1; Paul and Opal Vaughan; Pelzel Family; Nathan and Sarah Maslow; Lloyd and Margaret B. Erhard Jr. Trust; J. W. and Gabrielle P. Hubbard Jr.; Anonymous Dental; and Anonymous Emergency Aid.
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