Grantmaking Foundations
According to Giving USA ’ s annual report , foundations across the U . S . increased their giving by 2.5 % in 2019 , a percentage that had grown nine out of the last 10 years at the time of the report . Many of these foundations disperse donated funds through a discretionary grantmaking process .
West Virginia is home to a variety of grantmaking foundations , including independent , family , corporate and community foundations . These organizations play an invaluable role in improving the lives of West Virginians by awarding grants for projects in areas such as health care , education , economic development and community beautification .
In an effort to highlight some of the incredible work these groups are doing , West Virginia Executive chose to profile the state ’ s top 10 foundations ranked by their annual grantmaking in the Mountain State . These foundations are changing the way West Virginians live , learn , heal and grow .
SAMANTHA CART
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation Founded in 1944 Total Grantmaking in 2019 : $ 10,338,628
Michael and Sarah Benedum established the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation as a private family foundation in 1944 . It is named after their only son , Claude Worthington , who died tragically in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic . Michael , who built his fortune on oil and gas exploration , was one of the 100 wealthiest men of his time and was inspired to give back to the people and places of his home state of West Virginia and his adopted state and city , Pittsburgh , PA .
“ The Benedum Foundation has touched all 55 counties in West Virginia with a vast range of grants that today have totaled over $ 500 million dollars ,” says President Jen Giovannitti . “ This makes the Benedum Foundation one of the largest and most consistent private philanthropic investors in the state .”
In the organization ’ s history , prestigious trustees have included West Virginia Governors Hulett Smith and Gaston Caperton , Senator Jennings Randolph and Judge Robert Maxwell .
Benedum has partnered closely with West Virginia ’ s universities , advanced state policy initiatives , contributed funding to
public assets like the Clay Center and supported the formation of community organizations and intermediaries . It works closely with other foundations , such as The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation ( TGKVF ), which is a grantee , partner and peer . To date , Benedum has granted more than $ 1.5 million to TGKVF to help advance important projects and initiatives in the Mountain State .
In its close to 80 years of grantmaking , the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation has benefitted thousands of projects in health and human services , community and economic development , education and the arts .
“ Our ability to support and lead on regional strategies as well as take risks on innovative young leaders and bold nonprofits is always a point of pride ,” says Giovannitti . “ Benedum has devoted a significant amount of time and effort in advancing educational outcomes for people by investing in Benedum scholars , helping small colleges and universities , supporting teacher quality and investing in early childhood education .”
In the future , Giovannitti sees only continuous growth and innovation for the foundation .
“ I want the Benedum Foundation to be the most sought after and valued philanthropic partner for the people of West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania and a national resource for others looking to invest in rural communities ,” she says . “ We will continue to honor the mission Michael Benedum established for the foundation as we maintain an entrepreneurial approach to our work .”
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE