2021 Spirit of Philanthropy Staff Leadership Award Bob Boone
By Maggie Hatfield
Bob Boone , president of the Bernard McDonough Foundation , is a proud husband , grandfather , certified public accountant and philanthropist who loves to work on projects that bring people together .
His commitment to helping others led to his selection for the 2021 Spirit of Philanthropy Staff Leadership Award . Nominees for this award must excel in their role by demonstrating exceptional commitment and leadership in the field , and Boone is passionate about uniting people for the common good of West Virginia .
“ I believe connecting strong leaders with other individuals that have passion for any area of work will strengthen a community and provide better resources to their area ,” he says .
The Bernard McDonough Foundation has a 59-year history of providing millions of dollars in grants to hundreds of worthy nonprofits across West Virginia , and Boone is proud to be a catalyst for improving lives in the Mountain State .
“ Bob recognizes that many of the issues and needs facing our communities are ones that are very difficult for any single funder or organization to solve alone , so he ’ s always keenly focused on bringing people and their resources together for the greater good ,” says Judy Sjostedt Ritchie , executive director of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates ( PACF ), who nominated Boone for the award . “ He understands West Virginia is made stronger when we all work effectively together .”
Since 2019 , Boone has partnered with Marshall University and the leadership in the City of Huntington on the City of Solutions project , which focuses on positive outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder ( SUD ).
“ The Bernard McDonough Foundation provided funding for the creation of the City of Solutions report , which brings together organizations that provide programs and services to individuals with SUD ,” says Boone . “ The foundation also assisted in funding 13 community meetings in West Virginia that included representatives from all 55 counties to introduce the report to individuals who may want to replicate these programs .”
Another focus Boone is particularly proud of is the Bernard McDonough Foundation ’ s recent commitment to providing funding to the state ’ s foster care organizations .
“ We would like to help increase programs and services that help foster youth and adults who are raising foster children ,” says Boone . “ We need to work together to find creative ways to provide services to allow foster youth to enjoy the same benefits growing up as other children , such as continued education , services for those who have aged out of foster care , services for the adults who are raising foster children and other resources to allow children to prosper to young adults . This is important because our youth are the future of West Virginia .”
Boone is extremely humbled to accept the 2021 Staff Leadership Award .
“ It is an honor to stand beside the previous recipients of this award since I hold them out to be great leaders of their community and state ,” he says . “ I truly believe Philanthropy West Virginia makes a tremendous impact to philanthropic giving , which in turn provides millions of dollars in grant funding to the
UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia , Inc . serves more than 175,000 Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries living in West Virginia .
For more information about UniCare , visit unicare . com / wv .
nonprofits across our state that make a positive impact on the lives of the citizens they touch .”
In addition to his work with the foundation , he dedicates his time and talents to the McDonough Corporation , Parkersburg Rotary Club , PACF investments committee and Boy Scouts of America . •
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