The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and Regional Affiliates (PACF) announced support for nonprofit organizations and charitable projects throughout the region through its spring Community Action Grant Program. The PACF awards grants from a variety of funds created by individuals, organizations, and area businesses to support critical community needs. Individuals and organizations who have Donor Advised Funds at the Foundation also partner to support projects each grant cycle, greatly expanding the Foundation’s grantmaking capacity.

PACF’s grant awards this spring total $440,718, including $4,750 from the Doddridge County Community Foundation, $4,200 from the Ritchie County Community Foundation, and $100 from the Little Kanawha Area Community Foundation affiliates.

The Spring 2023 Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates grant recipients are:

  • Anne Royall Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution - $900 for American flags on Main Street in Harrisville.
  • Appalachian Reading Center - $9,600 to deliver tutoring lessons to dyslexic, low-income youth in the Parkersburg Area via Zoom.
  • Arnoldsburg Elementary School - $9,000 for needs at the school’s clothing closet.
  • Blennerhassett Historical Foundation Inc. - $9,500 to improve lighting inside the mansion.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg - $20,000 to support the Club's Summer Membership to keep the cost of membership affordable for all.
  • Calhoun County Committee on Aging, Inc. - $7,623 to purchase 7 indoor walking treadmill units.
  • Calhoun County Solid Waste Authority - $1,540 to purchase a security system.
  • Camp Barbe Association - $20,000 to upgrade the electrical at Camp Barbe.
  • Children’s Home Society of West Virginia – $20,000 to provide a match for the Federal Runaway Homeless Grant.
  • City of Ravenswood - $30,000 to provide an ADA-inclusive playground in Ravenswood.
  • Clarksburg Mission - $1,500 to renovate an unused dormitory space for male clients in recovery.
  • Doddridge County Farmers Market - $10,000 to expand services. In the community.
  • Downtown Bethel Church - $9,000 to continue the mission program in the community while they expand facilities.
  • Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council - $4,000 to make Girl Scouts more accessible through Girl Scout Outreach.
  • Glenville State University Foundation - $5,065 to improve technology in the conference room.
  • Health Access Inc. - $20,000 to give uninsured patients access to professional dental services.
  • Hope House Ministries Inc. - $5,000 to support general operating costs.
  • Humane Society of Jackson County - $2,500 to provide new beds for the dogs at the newly built shelter.
  • Jackson County Schools WV - $35,100 to provide instruction and resources using ArtCart to elementary students.
  • Living Heritage Museum Project, Inc. - $2,544 to replace the front entry door, door frame, and seals.
  • Mineral Wells Baptist Church - $10,000 to provide food and children’s necessities to individuals/families in need.
  • MOVRC - $10,000 to support volunteer travel for the AmeriCorps Senior Programs.
  • Normantown Historical Community Center - $3,100 to purchase a new lawn tractor.
  • North Bend Rails-to-Trails Foundation, Inc. - $6,000 to purchase animal-resistant trash receptacles.
  • Oil, Gas, and Industrial Historical Association, Inc. - $6,400 to purchase cameras and security system hardware for Henderson Hall.
  • Operation Fancy Free Inc. - $2,000 to support veterinary expenses for cat sterilizations and vaccinations.
  • Parkersburg Art Center - $20,000 to repair the roof.
  • Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. - $7,500 to provide supplies and fly-fishing outings for the Parkersburg, WV program.
  • Ravenswood Choral Boosters - $7,500 to purchase new risers.
  • Ravenswood High School - $12,000 to furnish the school with a Graphic Art Design iPad Lab.
  • Ravenswood Volunteer Fire Department - $10,400 to purchase a new thermal imaging camera and related tools.
  • Ritchie County Family Resource Network, Inc. - $10,000 to provide non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items for the Basic Needs Pantry.
  • Ritchie County High School - $5,000 to build the press box and concessions at the RCHS Baseball Field.
  • Savannah’s Closet - $15,000 to provide operating support to maintain and expand outreach.
  • Sound & Light Project, Inc. - $15,000 to repair, replace, and modernize the lighting and sound systems at the Calhoun County Middle High School auditorium.
  • Town of Ellenboro - $1,300 to build a recreation area along Rails-to-Trails.
  • Upper West Fork CAP, Inc. - $10,525 to apply gravel to the parking lot and prep and paint the floor.
  • Vets 4 Vets Jackson County WV - $9,000 to aid disabled military by providing or repairing medical equipment, helping with transportation needs, and assisting in claims to the Veterans Administration.
  • Waverly Volunteer Fire Company - $17,261 to purchase four new sets of firefighting outfits.
  • Westbrook Health Services - $8,969 to provide the required match for the state funded PATH program.
  • Wood County Sports Association - $6,191 to repair equipment and possibly replace their tractor.
  • WVU Foundation (Energy Express and 4H) - $20,700 to be used as a challenge gift in support of physical upgrades at the Wood County 4-H Camp.
  • WVU Foundation (Extension – Family Nutrition Program) - $4,000 to purchase the food and vegetables necessary to deliver the Kid’s Market at the Store and Pop-Up Markets.

“The Spring grant that the Parkersburg Art Center was awarded will help repair a dangerous section of our roof, preserving not only our vintage building, but also the safety of patrons and passersby,” said Abby Hayhurst of the Parkersburg Art Center. “The PACF provides solid and vital support in our community. When help is really needed, the PACF always comes through, and we are very grateful!”

"Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg has registered over 250 youth for Summer Programming this year. We have planned and organized 9 weeks of fun filled days for youth ranging in ages from 6-18. From field trips to performing arts, from STEM to swimming, from arts & crafts to cooking - none of it would be possible without support like that from Parkersburg Area Community Foundation." Lynn Reins, CEO

To be considered for a Community Action Grant, an applicant must be a private, nonprofit organization 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).