WHEELING, W.Va. — The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Field of Interest Fund Grants. Made possible through the generosity of donors who entrust CFOV to respond to evolving community needs, these grants will provide a total of $44,545 to support 17 organizations throughout the Ohio Valley. These investments reflect CFOV’s ongoing commitment to strengthening communities by supporting organizations that address both immediate needs and long-term quality of life across the region.
Field of Interest Fund grants are established by donors who care deeply about specific causes or geographic areas. These funds allow CFOV to direct resources in ways that honor donor intent while remaining responsive to current community needs. Each grant represents a partnership between donor generosity and the work of local organizations dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families throughout the Ohio Valley, ensuring funding is both intentional and impactful.
This year’s funding supports a wide range of community priorities across the Ohio Valley, including youth development programs that provide learning, recreation, and mentorship opportunities, basic needs services that assist individuals and families facing hardship, and parks and recreation initiatives that enhance public spaces and encourage community engagement. Additional support goes toward environmental education and stewardship, animal welfare programs that protect and care for animals, and family support services that strengthen stability and well-being for children and caregivers.
Below is a breakdown of funds awarded through our Field of Interest grants:
| Organization | Fund | Amount |
| City of Steubenville Parks and Recreation | Douglas Naylor First Family Legacy Fund | $882.00 |
| City of Steubenville Parks and Recreation | Jefferson County Fund | $453.00 |
| Young Women’s Christian Association of Wheeling, WV | Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund | $1,083.00 |
| Wheeling YMCA | Williams Fund | $2,143.00 |
| Ohio County Solid Waste Authority | John W. Fox, Sr. Legacy Fund | $438.00 |
| Challenger Learning Center | Children’s Museum of the Ohio Valley Endowment Fund | $713.00 |
| City of Wheeling | Viking Fund | $1,249.00 |
| Warehouse of Hope | Marshall County Fund | $3,066.00 |
| Ohio County Family Resource Network, Inc | Kenneth R. Dennis Field of Interest Fund | $4,840.00 |
| The Salvation Army – Belmont County | Kenneth R. Dennis Field of Interest Fund | $7,000.00 |
| Tyler County Family Resource Network | Marilyn A. Collett Memorial Fund | $3,849.00 |
| City of New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Department | GIVE Wetzel County Fund | $5,835.00 |
| Paws and Claws Animal Rescue and Assistance Group | Joseph & Marilyn Fraker Animal Care Fund | $3,212.00 |
| Webark Estates, Inc. | Joseph & Marilyn Fraker Animal Care Fund | $3,000.00 |
| Pawsitive Impact and Change, Inc | Joseph & Marilyn Fraker Animal Care Fund | $2,000.00 |
| Belmont Soar FC | Belmont County Soccer Fund | $1,023.00 |
| CASA for Children, Inc. | MGC Fund | $1,631.00 |
| Lincoln Avenue United Methodist | Kathryn B. Snively Fund | $2,128.00 |
| TOTAL AWARDED: | $44,545.00 |
Through this grant program, CFOV continues to support local organizations that are making a meaningful difference across the Ohio Valley. Executive Director Susie Nelson expressed appreciation for both the donors who make this funding possible and the organizations doing this important work in the community.
“We are proud to support these outstanding organizations that are addressing critical needs throughout the Ohio Valley,” she said. “Field of Interest grants are made possible by donors who establish funds focused on specific causes or areas of need, allowing their philanthropy to directly support issues they care about most. This funding reflects that generosity and helps nonprofits continue their essential work, and we are excited to see the difference it will make in our communities.”
CFOV remains committed to strengthening the region through thoughtful philanthropy and grantmaking that connects donor intent with community need.
