James B. Chambers Memorial Foundation: Grants for West Virginia and Pennsylvania

OVERVIEW: The James B. Chambers Memorial Foundation supports basic needs, children and youth and human services in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

FUNDING AREAS: Basic needs, children and youth, human services

IP TAKE: This is a practical funder that puts the basic needs of local youth first, so focus grant ideas around greater access to education and supportive camps.

PROFILE: Established in 1924, the James B. Chambers Memorial Foundation is a private foundation based in Wheeling, West Virginia. Chambers was the president of the First National Bank in Elm Grove and passed away in 1933. He was born near West Alexander, Pennsylvania and moved with his family to a farm that is now part of Wheeling, West Virginia. Today, the foundation is run by eight board members and an executive director. The foundation aims to "encourage and support indigent children’s needs in Ohio County, West Virginia and West Alexander, Pennsylvania through strategically placed charitable resources.” It funds local efforts for basic needs, children and youth and human services.

The James B. Chambers Memorial Foundation regularly provides grants for food, clothing and necessities for local residents. It also provides scholarship support for students in need. Children’s camps receive Chambers funds, especially ones that serve indigent youth. Other common grants include capital campaigns for youth centers and youth programming. This foundation supports local nonprofits, government entities and religious organizations.

Grants range between about $2,000 and $150,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Wheeling, West Virginia and West Alexander, Pennsylvania. Past local grantees include Ohio County Schools, the Oglebay Foundation and the City of Wheeling.

This foundation accepts grant applications from nonprofits after they have contacted the foundation’s executive director, Emily Fisher, to discuss the idea. The application process is conducted online. The foundation board reviews applications four times per year. Direct general questions to the staff at efisher@jbchambersfoundation.org or 304-281-0955.

PEOPLE:

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