Community Impact Grants Awarded
The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) announced its Community Impact grant awards for 2023.
12 organizations have been awarded grants totaling $78,676. The Community Impact grant program represents CFOV’s most diverse funding opportunity as it reaches all corners of the Foundation’s eight-county service area and aims to support projects addressing needs that will improve the quality of life in the Ohio Valley.
This year’s grant awards address a wide variety of programming that support needs related to health, wellness, recreation and more that serve area residents of all ages.
“The 2023 Community Impact Fund grants are particularly exciting as we continue to evolve beyond the height of the pandemic. While recovery is still ongoing, we’re encouraged by the forward-thinking ways these grantees will be enhancing the quality of life throughout the Ohio Valley,” shared Susie Nelson, executive director of CFOV.
The Community Impact Fund is comprised of several unrestricted funds of the Community Foundation. These funds were left to the Foundation by donors who entrusted the organization with an accessible and responsive resource to meet the changing needs of our communities. These partners in philanthropy include members of the Boutaugh, Kelvington, Naylor, Schlobohm, Strauss and Weimer families.
“The annual Community Impact Fund process is made possible through contributions of many donors over the Foundation’s 50 years of service to the Ohio Valley. This flexible method of grantmaking is designed to serve our area’s needs as they inevitably change over time,” Nelson said.
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
| Organization | Project | Awarded |
| Catholic Charities West Virginia | Relatives as Parents Program | $5,000 |
| St. John’s Home for Children | Safe Spaces | $5,000 |
| Youth Services System, Inc. | Youth Mentoring Network | $5,000 |
| Labelle Neighbors Who Care, Inc. | Historic Black College & University Tour | $8,000 |
| Laughlin Community Center | Energy Express, Summer at Chapel 2023 | $10,000 |
| Faith in Action Caregivers, Inc. | Faith in Action Volunteer Match Program | $5,000 |
| Ohio Valley Youth Network | Sycamore After School Enrichment Program | $10,000 |
| Brooke County Public Libraries | Mobile Hotspot Expansion Project | $3,176 |
| Ohio Valley Recovery, Inc. – The Unity Center | Unity Center Operating | $5,000 |
| Bridgeway Capital | The Alliance for Creative Rural Economies (ACRE) – Wheeling | $10,000 |
| WVU Foundation Inc | 4-H GEM in Schools, mindfulness curriculum | $10,000 |
| City of Steubenville Parks and Recreation | Gaga Pit | $2,500 |
Letters of Intent from organizations seeking Community Impact Fund support are accepted annually. To learn more, please call CFOV at 304-242-3144 or visit www.cfov.org and click on the Grants tab.
