News

Recognizing that the impact of the COVID pandemic has been significant on our region, area residents, businesses, foundations, and organizations have responded generously by donating more than $361,000 to the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation’s (PACF) Safety Net Fund and Hunger Fund.

As a result, since March, the PACF has awarded $302,000 in grants to area nonprofit organizations to address COVID-19 related needs, including $43,990 in new grants in its sixth round of pandemic response. Several of the recent grants were awarded through partnership with the Sisters Health Foundation (noted with an *).  Agencies that received funding during the PACF’s sixth round of grants include:

• Actors Guild of Parkersburg - $5,000 in operating support to address revenue loss from canceled performances.
• Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg - $5,000 to support programs and services for children and youth during school closures.*
• Community Resources - $1,300 for support for the Doddridge County food pantry.
• Community Resources - $10,000 for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to individuals impacted by COVID-19.*
• Doddridge County Family Resource Network - $250 for the purchase of cleaning products to distribute to Doddridge County residents in need.
• Downtown PKB - $5,000 in operating support to address revenue loss from cancellation of events and fundraisers and to ensure continuation of programming.
• EVE, Inc. - $4,000 in operating support to address revenue loss from canceled fundraisers and ensure continuation of programming for victims of domestic violence.*
• Gilmer County Family Resource Network - $1,000 in operating support to address revenue loss from thrift store.
• Living Heritage Museum/New Era One Room School - $340 to address revenue loss and assist with facility heating costs.
• Normantown Historical Community Center - $1,100 to purchase food for the food pantry and supplies to make masks for schools and community organizations.
• Parkersburg YMCA - $2,500 for technology needs related to childcare services for school-aged children due to school closures and virtual learning.
• Roane County Committee on Aging - $2,000 for operating support for the organization’s Amma and Reedy satellite sites.*
• The Gathering Church - $1,000 for food purchases for food delivery program.
• Washington United Methodist Church - $500 to purchase a freezer for new pantry to increase food access during the pandemic.
• West Virginia Nonprofit Association - $1,000 to support memberships for nonprofit organizations from the PACF service area who are facing financial hardship due to COVID-19.
• Wood County Senior Citizens Association - $1,500 to purchase shelving and supplies for the Household Goods Pantry to meet the needs of seniors for hygiene and cleaning products.*
• Wood County Society - $2,500 in operating support to address revenue loss and ensure continuation of programming.

The PACF is committed to granting 100% of donations received for COVID-19 relief back into the region. Organizations that have needs related to COVID impact are encouraged to contact the Foundation at info@pacfwv.com or 304-428-4438 to inquire about support.

Donations to support the PACF’s Hunger Fund and Safety Net Fund are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated.  To learn more about these funds and the work that the Foundation is doing to address COVID-19 in our region, visit www.pacfwv.com/COVID19.

The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and Regional Affiliates of Doddridge County, Ritchie County, and the Little Kanawha Area (PACF) is currently accepting applications for grants for the spring cycle of its Community Action Grants Program.  The Foundation’s application process is online; the application deadline is midnight on February 15. Organizations apply to the Foundation and/or any of the affiliates on the same online application form, the Foundation’s Community Action Grants Application.  To access the online application form, visit the Foundation’s website, www.pacfwv.com/Grants.

The PACF also announces that it has launched a new platform for online applications. To learn about the new application process and to hear updates on the Foundation’s grantmaking priorities, organizations are invited to attend one of two free webinars offered by the PACF in January:

• Wednesday, January 13, 2:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 19, 10:00 a.m.

To register, send an e-mail to marian.clowes@pacfwv.com. Registrants will be provided with a Zoom link for the webinar.

To be considered for a Community Action Grant, an applicant must be a private, nonprofit organization, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a public institution.  Either the applicant or program to be funded must be located in the Foundation’s eleven-county geographic service area (Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt, and Wood counties in West Virginia, and Washington County, Ohio). Priority counties for grant support are: Wood, Wirt, Doddridge, Ritchie, Roane, Calhoun, and Gilmer.

The Foundation provides support for capital and equipment projects, program development, technical assistance, training, capacity building projects, and, under special circumstances, operating support.  Submitted applications are considered for support from a wide variety of grant funds available to support charitable projects throughout the region.

The Foundation’s grantmaking guidelines provide additional information on eligibility and priorities for all types of grants; visit the Foundation’s website at to access the grant guidelines and application forms. For more information, contact Marian Clowes at 304-428-4438.

Teach and encourage philanthropy, promote community development, inspire leadership, and deliver meaningful long-term impact in Lewis County.  Those are the goals of a group of area residents who have partnered together to create the Lewis County Community Foundation Fund.  

The Lewis County Community Foundation Fund is a permanent endowment in which the principal remains intact and invested, forever, generating earnings to help support Lewis County needs.  Annually, an advisory committee of Lewis County residents will award a portion of the Fund’s earnings as grants to local organizations and causes.  The fund founders have established the Fund within the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF), a nationally accredited, highly regarded, and widely supported public charity with more than 57 years of experience. 

“Partnering with the PACF to manage this Fund just makes sense,” said Agnes Queen, a founder of the Lewis County Community Foundation Fund.  “The PACF stepped-up earlier in the year to secure $12,000 in COVID-19 relief funding for six area agencies. The PACF has had successful relationships with Doddridge and Ritchie counties, and those of the Little Kanawha Area (Calhoun, Gilmer, and Wirt counties) for more than twenty years now.  The benefits of our partnership include significant cost advantages for administrative, management, and investment purposes.  At the same time, it will allow our advisory committee to focus our own efforts on development and grantmaking specifically for Lewis County.”

The initial three founders and advisory committee members of the Lewis County Community Foundation Fund include Agnes Queen, Ray Smith, and Rod Wyman.  To encourage others to give to support the Lewis County Community Foundation Fund, donors who support the Fund between now and January 31, 2021 will be recognized as founders of the Lewis County Community Foundation Fund.  Donations may also be made anonymously or in memory/honor of a special person.

“We’re excited to form this endowment for our county,” say Ray Smith.  “This Fund enables individuals who want to make a difference in Lewis County the opportunity to make a gift that will make an impact now and forever.  We’re planning for the future.”

Recently recognized as a Blueprint Community, Lewis County community leaders are working to make a lasting impact on the economic well-being and quality of life for fellow residents; the Lewis County Community Foundation Fund is one of their outcomes.

“We know there are both needs and opportunities in Lewis County,” said Rod Wyman.  “This Fund will allow local citizens to collaborate and to direct resources that will address these issues.  Our results can be significant when we work together and join our efforts for the greater good.”

Individuals who wish to make a tax-deductible donation to support the Lewis County Community Foundation Fund may send a check made payable to the Lewis County Community Foundation Fund or to the PACF with the Fund name on the memo line and mailed to PACF, PO Box 1762, Parkersburg, WV 26102 or made online at www.pacfwv.com/donate.  Individuals with questions may contact Julie Posey, PACF’s Development and Communications Officer, at 304-428-4438.