News

The EQT Foundation is partnering with the Doddridge County Community Foundation to make a lasting and meaningful investment in Doddridge County.  With a gift of $92,000 to the Doddridge County Community Foundation (DCCF), the EQT Foundation is investing in the Foundation’s skill and expertise in growing community endowment, supporting community improvement projects, and providing scholarship assistance to area students.

A portion of the EQT Foundation’s gift will be used to grow the Foundation’s unrestricted community endowment fund, the Doddridge County Grantmaking Fund.  This Fund enables the DCCF to address community needs and invest in new opportunities for Doddridge County residents.  The EQT Foundation’s gift will allow the DCCF to make a larger impact through its bi-annual grant cycle, including in spring 2020.  Organizations interested in applying for grant support can visit the Foundation’s website, www.pacfwv.com/Grants, to review grantmaking guidelines and access the online application form. The next application deadline is February 15.

The remainder of the EQT Foundation gift will create the EQT Scholarship for Doddridge County graduating high school seniors.  Through this gift, the DCCF will award five $1,000 one-year scholarships and one renewable scholarship (with an annual value of up to $18,000) to Doddridge County students.  To be considered for an EQT Scholarship, applicants must be graduating seniors at Doddridge County High School, or an equivalent home school program, must be Doddridge County residents, and must be pursuing a degree in a field related to the oil & gas industry (for example, computer science/information technology; chemical, civil, or petroleum engineering; energy or land management; environmental science, geology, or safety science).  To see the full scholarship eligibility requirements and to apply using the Foundation’s consolidated scholarship application form, visit the Foundation’s website, www.pacfwv.com/Scholarships.

”The EQT Foundation strives to identify opportunities that impact the communities we serve in powerful ways.  What better way to shape the future than by supporting community needs, as well as the education of tomorrow’s leaders and innovators,” said Ellen Rossi, EQT Foundation Manager.  “We are thrilled to award the community-building grant as well as the scholarship program to the Doddridge County community through the assistance of the Doddridge County Community Foundation.  We look forward to learning more about the exceptional achievements and professional aspirations of this year’s recipients.”

“We are excited to partner with the EQT Foundation and we are grateful for their support for our community improvement efforts,” said Rick Oyler, DCCF Advisory Board Chairman. “This gift from the EQT Foundation will enable us to address critical community needs now, to build long-term resources to meet future needs, and to invest in our community’s next generation.  We applaud EQT Foundation’s commitment to Doddridge County.”

About Doddridge County Community Foundation:

Celebrating 20 years of serving the community, the Doddridge Community Foundation (DCCF) works with charitable individuals to make a positive and permanent commitment for the future of Doddridge County, West Virginia.  DCCF is an affiliate of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF). The PACF is a single 501(c)(3) public charity that manages a philanthropic endowment of more than 360 funds amounting to more than $43 million in assets, each representing a unique giving partnership with an individual, a family, or a business, civic or nonprofit organization. The PACF works in partnership with local level organizations (affiliates) to provide leadership and develop philanthropic resources to meet the needs of our 11-county service district. Since 1999, the Doddridge Community Foundation has helped local citizens support the causes that are most important to them and touch every aspect of life in our communities in a wide variety of significant and lasting ways. For more information about the PACF and its affiliate, DCCF, or to learn more about creating your own charitable fund, visit www.pacfwv.com or call 304-428-4438.

About EQT Foundation:

The EQT Foundation was established by EQT Corporation, one of the nation’s premier natural gas producers, and is committed to the social and economic vitality of our operating regions.  The EQT Foundation believes in meaningful engagement with the communities it calls home and takes great pride in the role as both a responsible and responsive corporate citizen.  The EQT Foundation has developed strong partnerships with a variety of nonprofit organizations to enrich the diversity and viability of our communities, sustain the principles of continuous learning, and focus on environmental protection efforts. Read more at: www.eqt.com/community/eqt-foundation   

The Ritchie County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, announces the availability of grants for Ritchie County educators seeking support for professional development opportunities and for academic school improvement projects at Ritchie County schools through the O. Eugene and Mary Scott Smith Memorial Fund.

The Fund provides grants for individual teachers who are seeking to further their education, for groups of teachers pursuing professional development opportunities, and for schools for projects that improve the academic curriculum. Funds are not available for athletic projects at schools. Applications, whether for support for individual teachers, groups of teachers, or for academic improvement projects, must be submitted through a Ritchie County school. The application deadline is February 15. Schools must apply using the Foundation’s online Community Action Grant application, which is available on the Foundation’s website, www.pacfwv.com/Grants.

The Fund honors Gene and Mary Smith, who were natives of Ritchie County and were educated in Ritchie County schools. Gene and Mary instilled their love of education in their eight children who all attended Ritchie County schools. Three of them became teachers. Because of Gene and Mary’s influence, there are more than forty college degrees including two doctorates in their large, extended family.

Schools are encouraged to apply for this grant opportunity. Project requests also will be considered for support from other Foundation grantmaking funds, including funds available from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation. For questions or more information, contact Marian Clowes at 304-428-4438 or marian.clowes@pacfwv.com.

With help from a $5,000 PACF grant, Horizons Center of Independent Living in Parkersburg installed a ramp to their facility.  Horizons serves individuals with developmental disabilities by providing a safe residential facility and encouraging them to be active in all aspects of daily life.

Board member Jane Burdette notes, "Not only do our residents benefit from an accessible facility, but residents, families, and board members can now more freely participate in our activities."

One resident's family member expressed gratitude for the new ramp, stating, "I am so glad to be able to come to my son's home for a visit now."

The grant was made possible through the Michael Eddy Memorial Fund and the Galbraith Fund for Mental Health, two funds that were designed to be flexible and are used each year to support community needs.