Community Impact FUnD

While many of the charitable funds established at the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, Inc. have been either designated for a specific purpose or are otherwise restricted in their distribution, the Foundation has developed a pool of several unrestricted funds. These funds were accumulated from multiple donors who simply wanted to make an unrestricted gift and placed their trust in the Community Foundation to manage the gifts and their distributions.

These flexible funds are used each year in a grantmaking process with focus areas that are determined by the communities. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) as determined by the IRS, faith-based organization, or government entity (i.e. libraries, schools, etc.). Organizations must provide services within the counties of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Tyler and Wetzel in West Virginia and Belmont and Jefferson in Ohio.

Focus Areas

Next Generation Leadership/Mentoring

This focus area supports intentional leadership development and structured mentoring for youth and young adults (ages 12–25). Preference will be given to applicants whose services benefit a broad segment of the general public. Eligible programs must include measurable outcomes in leadership growth, personal development, or civic engagement.

Examples include:
• One-on-one or group mentoring programs
• Leadership training programs connected to workforce readiness or community service
• Initiatives with a clear framework for participant progress tracking
Not funded: General youth activities without a leadership or mentoring component

Youth Recreation/Activities

Grants will support structured, supervised recreation or enrichment activities for youth (ages 6–18) that foster physical health, social skills, or personal growth. Eligible activities should go beyond standard school-day physical education, routine fitness classes, or general membership-based recreation programs.

Examples include:
• Consistent, ongoing opportunities rather than single events
• Offer intentional mentoring, leadership, or teamwork opportunities
• Demonstration of measurable benefits for participants’ well-being
Not funded: Unstructured gatherings, entertainment-only events, or activities without youth development goals

Economic Mobility

Programs that help individuals and families increase income, gain stable employment, build assets, and remove barriers to long-term financial stability or quality of life.

Examples include:
• Emergency or basic needs assistance tied to long-term stability
• Financial literacy, housing, transportation, or childcare programs that increase self-sufficiency
• Workforce support services with measurable outcomes
Not funded: General operating support without a direct link to economic mobility outcomes, one-time events or short-term assistance without a sustainability component, programs serving only a narrow membership group rather than the general public

Timeline

Not currently accepting requests.

How to Apply

• Apply on our grant portal: Foundant Technologies. (grant applications will not be accessible until grant cycle opens)
• If you need assistance with the online account login, please contact Debbie at 304-242-3144 or debbie@cfov.org
• Maximum request $7,500
• One request per organization will be considered.

TIP: Please do not wait until the last few days to submit your grant application. Allow yourself and CFOV time to address any technical issues you may experience. Technical assistance is not guaranteed on the day of grant deadline. PREVIEW APPLICATION

Questions? Contact us at 304-242-3144.