Since 1963, the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation has championed possibility across the region by connecting generous people to the area’s greatest needs and opportunities.  Today, that mission continues as we work to strengthen local nonprofits, steward charitable resources, and serve as a trusted leader in philanthropy.

By supporting our Community Sponsors campaign, you’re helping sustain the day-to-day work that makes long-term impact possible.  Your annual gift directly supports the Foundation’s operational needs — ensuring our team can continue responding to community challenges and providing expert services.  Thank you for partnering with us to build a stronger, more vibrant future for our region.
 

• Pillar of Philanthropy  ($5,000 and Above)
• Community Partner ($2,500 - $4,999)
• Local Champion  ($1,000 - $2,499)
• Area Supporter   ($250 - $999)
• Foundation Friend  (Up to $249)

Support the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and all of the good work it does in our community.

This fund was created by the Doddridge County Community Foundation affiliate to support charitable needs in the community. Grants from the fund are awarded annually to organizations serving Doddridge County residents through the Foundation's Community Action Grant Program.

The Little Kanawha Area Community Foundation affiliate created the Gilmer County Grantmaking Fund to support the charitable needs of Gilmer County. Grants from the fund are awarded through the Foundation's Community Action Grant program.

This fund was established by the Ritchie County Community Foundation to provide support for charitable projects that benefit the county.

Parkersburg Bridge Partners recently made a $15,000 donation to the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF). The creation of a donor advised fund with PACF will allow Parkersburg Bridge Partners (PBP) to award grants to organizations and causes that are important to the company and community.

This is one of PBP’s first charitable investments in the Mid-Ohio Valley. With construction on the rehabilitation of Parkersburg Memorial Bridge scheduled to begin this month, the company is following through on its commitment to make long-term investments in the community.

“We are happy to partner with the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation on this charitable giving fund. We can make a larger impact on the area by working with the foundation and recommending grants through their process. We look forward to learning more about the area’s non-profit organizations, their needs and how we can support them moving forward,” said Ken Szeliga, Vice President of Construction and Operations for Parkersburg Bridge Partners.

Interested applicants can learn more about the donor advised grant process and apply for donations through the foundation’s website, www.pacfwv.com.

“We applaud Parkersburg Bridge Partners for its corporate commitment to strengthening our community’s critical infrastructure, both in the form of its work to rehabilitate the Memorial Bridge, as well as through its commitment to building a company donor advised fund with the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation. Since 1963, the PACF has worked to build lasting resources for the betterment of the Mid-Ohio Valley; we welcome this new partnership to support PBP’s charitable goals. With its support for the new advised fund, the PBP team clearly demonstrates its long-term dedication to our region’s benefit and its desire to be a good neighbor. An advised fund will enable PBP to easily and efficiently invest in the social good of our community,” said PACF’s Executive Director, Judy Sjostedt Ritchie.

About Parkersburg Bridge Partners

Parkersburg Bridge Partners (PBP) is the owner of Parkersburg Memorial Bridge. A subsidiary of United Bridge Partners, PBP will fund, design, build, operate and maintain Memorial Bridge. PBP has assembled a national-caliber design, engineering, construction and operations team with substantial experience successfully delivering bridge projects across the United States.

For more information about the Memorial Bridge project, residents are encouraged to visit www.parkersburgbridgepartners.com or follow PBP on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Vinman’s VIPs is a program; of the Lions Club of Parkersburg that raises money to purchase the following for children in Wood County, WV who are severely visually disabled:

• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (256 GB, cellular enabled)
• Protective Case
• Apple Pen
• Backpack

The inspiration for Vinman’s VIPs idea came from the good deed done for Vincent Post III by his mother, Marlene Wuchner Sheridan, after he lost much of his vision in his left eye from Non-Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), Vincent was born completely blind in his right eye. As he was trying to find ways to better communicate with his family and friends, and keep working; he talked about it with his wife, Christine, and his mother. Marlene insisted on the 12.9 inch iPad Pro, and then insisted on purchasing it for Vincent. This good deed inspired Vincent to pay it forward, and Vinman’s VIPs was born.

Since its inception as a Lions Club of Parkersburg project in 2021, Vinman's VIPs has raised over $23,000 and has purchased an iPad package for one student in Wood County each school year since 2022. Recipients of the iPad package are invited to and given recognition at the Lions Club of Parkersburg's Out of Sight Dinner in April each year.

The main fundraising activity for Vinman’s VIPs is the Lions Club of Parkersburg's Halloween Cash Bingo for Sight held in the Fall of each year.