Transforming Rural

Since 2000, West Virginia has seen significant growth in the state’s community foundations by working with local communities to transform rural areas in amazing ways. This requires focus, creativity, dedication, and significant investment.

In honor of West Virginia’s 158th Birthday, Philanthropy West Virginia presents Transforming Rural: Accelerating Community-Based Philanthropy, a new report on the state of Community Foundations in West Virginia.

Strategic partnerships and investments from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Ford Foundation, and other partners have fueled a growth of community-connected philanthropy. These investments are generating transformative impact in rural communities of all sizes and types in the Mountain State, providing local philanthropic capital and partnerships to boost up places that have been long forgotten by national foundations, businesses, nonprofits, and media.

We celebrate this 20 plus years of impact noting that the future is even greater for the community foundations’ sector, but most importantly the residents and communities of West Virginia that they serve.

This report and progress of community foundations is due in part to a spirit of local collaborations, investments, and innovative approaches to community philanthropy. Please find the report and details below:

With Immense Thanks

This work and progress are made possible thanks to great collaborators, investors, and advocates. Philanthropy WV thanks our partners in this long-time work and preparing this report:

  • The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation for funding, collaborating, and being a thought partner in this critical capacity building and community leadership work
  • West Virginia’s 27 community foundations, affiliates, and area funds for allowing us to serve as a platform for collaboration, networking, training, and capacity building (find the community foundations here)
  • M. Miller Development Services & Monica Miller for conducting the research and surveying to create the Transforming Rural Report
  • Numerous peers, trainers, and consultants who have provided great resources, training, coaching, and support to community foundations of all sizes across our state
  • WV Neighborhood Investment Program which has been a part of making charitable giving accessible for all West Virginians to investment in their communities now and forever
  • Most importantly, the generosity of the tens of thousands of West Virginia residents, nonprofits, businesses, natives/ex-pats, and other friends who have donated and created permanent funds at local community foundations for the future generations of residents in their hometowns and counties

For questions or media interviews on the report and West Virginia’s community foundation sectors growth, please contact Paul D. Daugherty President & CEO at 304.517.1450 or paul@philanthropywv.org