Community Foundation of the Virginias
/OVERVIEW: The Community Foundation of the Virginias supports education, the arts, health, human services and recreation in Virginia and West Virginia.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, the arts, health, human services, recreation
IP TAKE: This dual-state funder is a great one to know for nonprofits that provide basic needs services because there’s a three-month window of time each year to submit applications.
PROFILE: Established in 2002, the Community Foundation of the Virginias (CFV) is a community foundation based in Bluefield, West Virginia. It formed upon the merger of the Bluefield Area Foundation (established in 1993) and the Greater Mercer County Charitable Foundation (established in 1998). CFV began awarding grants in 2003 to better serve the residents of its dual-county region of interest. The foundation “promotes philanthropy by fostering charitable giving, serving our donors' interests, and effectively responding to the needs and opportunities of communities in Mercer County, West Virginia, Tazewell County, Virginia and the surrounding area.” It funds local efforts for education, the arts, health, human services and recreation.
The Community Foundation of the Virginias awards grants through at least 85 funds held under management. CFV has broad grantmaking interests and typically distributes over $2 million per year. Past grants have gone to local fire and police departments, local parks and recreation departments, food pantries and health organizations. In recent grant cycles, the most awards have gone towards human services needs. It responds to urgent needs and supports emergency and disaster relief efforts, when necessary. In addition to grants, the foundation also awards scholarships to local students.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $25,000. However, most awards are limited to $2,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Mercer County in West Virginia and Tazewell County in Virginia. These are regions of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia. Past local grantees include Alliance for the Arts, the City of Bluefield and Sacred Heart Food Pantry.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits from April through June each year. Organizations can access the applicant forms on the CFV’s website and submit materials by mail or email. Direct general questions to the staff at admin@cfvinc.org or 304-324-0222.
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