Altrusa International was founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1917, originally as Altrusa Institute. During that time, a record number of women were going to work during World War I, and there was a need for women's civic organizations.

When the Altrusa International of Parkersburg closed in 2019, they formed a partnership with the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation that will last forever. This charitable fund is designed to forever support the region by providing scholarship assistance to female students who are residents of Wood or Wirt counties in WV or Washington County, OH who plan to pursue a post-secondary degree. Recipients of this scholarship shall be selected on the basis of financial need, leadership, and community service. Recipients must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Homeschool students are to be considered for this scholarship. Preference is to be given to graduating high school seniors and first-generation college students.