Beckley Area Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Beckley Area Foundation supports education, public recreation, health and human services, the arts and beautification in West Virginia.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, public recreation, health and human services, arts, beautification
IP TAKE: Nearly any type of local nonprofit need can draw BAF’s attention through its discretionary grant program, but keep requests under $7,000.
PROFILE: Established in 1985, the Beckley Area Foundation (BAF) is a community foundation based in Beckley, West Virginia. Ten local citizens created the foundation with a $1.1 million gift from the Dr. Thomas Walker Memorial Health Foundation as seed money. BAF is one of the largest community foundations in West Virginia today and manages over 474 different funds. The foundation aims to "serve the community forever.” It funds local efforts for education, public recreation, health and human services, the arts and beautification.
The Beckley Area Foundation has a community grant program that focuses on a wide variety of local nonprofit causes. These annual discretionary grants are awarded for special projects, seed money for pilot projects, capital and equipment needs, matching grants, ongoing support and urgent needs. BAF also has a mini-grants program for students that supports elementary, middle and high school teachers for their supplemental programs.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $75,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on the Beckley region of West Virginia. Past local grantees include the Beckley Dream Center, Beckley Art Group and Helping Hands Resource Center.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The annual application deadline for community grants is typically November 30, and the teacher mini-grant deadline is September 30. BAF uses an online application system. Direct general questions to the staff at info@bafwv.org or 304-253-3806.
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