Philanthropy West Virginia Inc
When Philanthropy Partners, Communities Prosper
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Philanthropy WV plays a critically important role in many aspects of West Virginia’s challenges and needs. The vitality of Philanthropy WV’s network of diverse grantmaking foundations, corporations, United Ways, and philanthropists ensure that these organizations from different regions, areas of focus, and types can collaborate for maximum return on investments. The demand of Philanthropy WV’s services dramatically grows in members, best practices training, issue based work, and bringing in state and national partners. Philanthropy WV's need is to expand the internal capacity of staff and operations to worker smarter in this era of ever-evolving needs for our state. Our vision states, “West Virginia has thriving communities, due in part, to a strong and vibrant philanthropic sector.” For West Virginia to thrive and overcome economic challenges, social disparities, and poverty, a connected, vibrant, and strong Philanthropy West Virginia serving the philanthropic sector is essential.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Professional Development & Training
Philanthropy WV serves as the leadership network serving over 80 funders based in and/or funding in West Virginia with at least 20 professional network, development, and conference sessions per year.
Where we work
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Philanthropy WV is the philanthropic leadership network dedicated to serving the West Virginia and surrounding states' philanthropic community. Philanthropy WV’s members include more than 80 members independent, family, community and corporate
foundations, United Ways, corporate giving programs, giving circles, and federated funds. For Philanthropy WV to assist grantmakers in their work, our programs and services provide members with valuable resources, networking opportunities, educational programs, collaborative opportunities and links to a national network of organized philanthropy. We support our members by strengthening their capacity to address West Virginia and society’s most difficult problems. Our organization serves as a central network and platform for communication and connecting the state’s small, but mighty base of philanthropy as well as improving the quality of life of many citizens. We also maximize the resources of the philanthropic community – funding, expertise, leverage - to provide leadership on statewide issues and collaborative grantmaking.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Philanthropy West Virginia incorporates multiple level strategies for our work, but are based in three primary focus areas:
(1) Learning: providing in-depth training and professional development for all leaders involved in grantmaking, philanthropy, and corporate giving in West Virginia through in-person conferences, virtual trainings, and one-on-one coaching/support
(2) Leveraging: providing national, regional, state, and local funders opportunities to leverage their giving and grantmaking to best impact West Virginia and strengthening its communities to ensure a better of quality of life for our citizens.
(3) Leading: serving as the leadership network for philanthropy to partner, strategize, advocate, and lead on key issues that strengthen our communities and improve the quality of life for citizens.
Each strategy listed above guides the collective work of Philanthropy WV's partnerships and membership engagement.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Philanthropy WV has a dedicated staff and board team representing over a century of results-oriented experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, community development, and strengthening communities. Our capabilities among our three full time staff and fourteen board members is strong, innovative, and effective. We deliver over 20 professional programs per year reaching over 500 leaders and 90 partners to advance the impact of grant and philanthropic investments made in West Virginia.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Philanthropy WV has an extensive list of accomplishments of success over the past 27 years of service. A few highlights include:
(1) Creating a statewide and national network of 80 plus private, family, corporate, and community foundations, United Ways, professional advisors, corporations, federated funds, and individual philanthropists
(2) PROMOTION OF PHILANTHROPY: Thanks to the generous support of the Benedum & Ford Foundations the creation of a statewide network of community foundations that is now at 27 independent community foundations, affiliates, and area funds with more than $500 Million in assets reaching almost all 55 West Virginia counties
(3) Delivering at least 20 professional development and training programs annually reaching at least 500 participants (board members, CEOs, staff, donors, and advisors) from private, family, corporate, and community foundations, corporations, United Ways, professional advisors, and individual philanthropies
(3) Engaging national and regional funders as partners with local funders to invest in West Virginia and central Appalachia
(4) Involving at least 80 partners per year in programming, education, and community development and nonprofit collaborations
(5) Creating and launching independently the West Virginia Nonprofit Association(6) Serving as an intermediary for multiple national and regional funder collaboratives such as: Promotion of Philanthropy, Oral Health, Youth & Children Programs, Transfer of Wealth, etc.
(6) Being honored with the 2019 West Virginia Nonprofit Excellent Award of mid-size nonprofit orrganizations
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Philanthropy West Virginia Inc
Board of directorsas of 01/02/2020
Mr. Tres Ross
The Ross Foundation
Term: 2020 - 2021
Tres Ross
The Ross Foundation
Adam Sandesr
Roy & Gwen Steeley Foundation
Marian Clowes
Parkersburg Area Community Foundation
Mike Lewis
United Bank Wealth Management
Robert "Bob" Orndorff
Dominion Energy
Susie Nelson
Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
Michael Whalton
Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation
Robet "Bob" Boone
Bernard McDonough Foundation
Dena Cushman
Beckley Area Foundation
Dr. Michelle Foster
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
David Ziegler
Hinton Area Foundation
Elizabeth Pellegrin
Charles & Mary Fayne Glotfelty Foundation
Megan Hannah
West Virginia American Water
Janell Ray
Pallottine Foundations of Huntington & Buckhannon