Tucker Community Foundation awards over $83,000 to nonprofits

A total of 27 nonprofit organizations were recently awarded over $83,000 from the Tucker Community Foundation through its annual Fall Grant Program.

The awards were made possible by resources from the Foundation’s designated and unrestricted endowment funds, agency funds and donor advised funds. The grants include support for arts and culture, education, emergency assistance, community and economic development, senior services, recreation and youth.

“Every year it is an honor to distribute the grants that come from people helping people,” said Robert Burns, Executive Director for the Tucker Community Foundation. “We create opportunities for the everyday donor to give ‘bigger’ as a group than what they could achieve and fund on their own. This is what our community foundation is all about.”

The Fall Grant Program is open to any 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit or public agency in one of the eight counties served by the foundation, Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties, W.Va. and Garrett County, Md. The grants can support specific projects or general operations for programs that make a positive impact in their communities. The 2018 grant cycle will begin on Aug. 6 and close on Sept. 21.

This year the Foundation received over 60 applications, making this year’s grant very competitive. The following nonprofits are the 2017 recipients:

Garrett County

• Garrett Community College Foundation, student assistance, $1,500
• Garrett County Community Action, free tax prep and financial education, $1,000

Pocahontas

• Pocahontas County Senior Citizens, senior services, $2,500

Preston

• CASA for Kids, Mon & Preston Co., advocacy and support, $2,000
• Aurora Middle & Elementary School, literacy enhancement, $1,500

Randolph County

• Tygart Valley Middle & High School, novels for education materials, $800
• Randolph Co Community Arts Council, student art exhibit, $2,000
• Randolph Co Schools, skiing initiatives, $400

Tucker County

• TCHS Outdoor Club, outdoor obstacle course, $500
• TCHS Art Program, supplies, professional development, community partnerships, $5,000
• Davis Thomas PTO, gymnasium bleachers, $12,400
• Five Rivers Public Library, upgrade computers, $1,450
• The Foundation of Mon General, regional health fair, $3,000
• Blackwater Ministerial Association, emergency assistance, $5,000
• Tucker Co FRN, backpack buddies & hygiene supply pantry, $5,000
• Friends of Blackwater, railroad history signage, $2,000
• TCHS English Department, novel curriculum, 500
• North Central Community Action, emergency assistance, $5,000
• Tucker Co School Board, educational days at the Tucker County Fair, $1,200
• WVU Extension, 4-H junior equestrians, $3,200
• WVU Extension, Tucker County 4-H camp, $4,000
• Tucker Co Senior Center, food pantry storage, $1,685
• Tucker Co Senior Center, transportation van, $4,215
• Tucker Co Chamber of Commerce, legislature day, $500
• Parsons Ministerial Association, emergency assistance, $4,500
• Tucker Co EMS, training, $350
• Tucker Co EMS, operations, $4,050
• Canaan Valley VFD, operations, $3,800

Regional

• Ronald McDonald House, Morgantown, Hoss Family Lodging, $2,500
• Mountain Hospice, Good Grief & Community Bereavement Program, $1,900

Tucker Community Foundation manages more than 115 endowed funds providing annual scholarships and benefiting nonprofits and charitable causes in Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph, and Tucker counties in W.Va. and in Garrett County, Md. A list of endowed funds can be viewed at https://www.tuckerfoundation.net/engage/.

To learn more about creating an endowment or how to support an existing one, contact the TCF Administrative Office at 304-478-2930 or the TCF Development Office at 304-259-5008.