The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley’s Community Impact Grant program supports projects that address needs and improve the quality of life in the Ohio Valley in every corner of our eight-county service area. This competitive grant allows us to adapt and meet the changing needs of our communities. CFOV distributes and awards grants to multiple organizations annually, such as the Hancock and Brooke Young Professionals (HBYP) and the Bridgeway Capital ACRE program.
The Hancock and Brooke Young Professionals utilized their Community Impact Grant to launch the “Forging Our Future 2024” series. This initiative aims to educate, attract, and retain the next generation of leaders in Hancock and Brooke counties.
“We wanted to provide value to our members by offering a series of educational discussions and speakers on various topics,” says Rachel Keeney, president of HBYP. She emphasized the goal of the series is to help members feel more skilled, confident, and able to bring value back to their jobs and the community. The grant allowed HBYP to think bigger and bring in speakers from outside the area, providing fresh perspectives and insights.
The series, open to both members and the general public, has covered diverse topics such as artificial intelligence, public speaking, community engagement, design thinking, and diversity and inclusion. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees expressing how the sessions have enhanced their skills and confidence. Keeney also said many became more familiar not only with the subject matter, but also with how to be more effective at their workplace. They have seen a turnout of 25 to 30 participants per event, far exceeding initial expectations.
Bridgeway Capital’s ACRE program also received a Community Impact Grant, enabling them to provide comprehensive business assistance to creative entrepreneurs in Wheeling. The ACRE program is a multi-phase, comprehensive program that helps entrepreneurs access high-quality content and support for business planning and projections. It emerged as a response to the pandemic, aiming to support creative entrepreneurs such as artists, craftspeople, designers, and small-batch manufacturers.
With CFOV’s support, Bridgeway was able to begin offering one-on-one consultancy services in Wheeling in addition to group classes and peer networks. The program’s impact has been profound, with 14 entrepreneurs taking it to advance their small businesses.
“Participants described it as life-changing and massively impactful,” says Chief Program Officer at Bridgeway Capital Adam Kenney. “The positive response has been echoed by the broader community, with economic development partners recognizing the program’s value in supporting small businesses and revitalizing Main Street.”
Looking ahead, Bridgeway Capital hopes to continue its work in Wheeling, potentially introducing another cohort in the future. “CFOV’s grants and partnership are really valuable to us in knowing that we’re participating in goals for the city that are truly reflective of what the city wants for itself,” says Dawn Seckler, chief strategy and development officer at Bridgeway Capital.
The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley is proud to support these and other impactful initiatives, helping to build a brighter future for our communities one grant at a time.
