Fueling Progress
West Virginia ' s Philanthropic Spark
COMPILED BY KENZIE DYE
Philanthropy serves as a spark of change within communities , igniting progress and fostering growth . From funding essential programs to supporting grassroots initiatives , there are many organizations throughout the Mountain State igniting change in their communities .
Photo by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation .
Photo by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation .
Hinton Area Foundation
By Scott Jarrett , Executive Director , Hinton Area Foundation
In 1991 , several Hinton , WV residents met to discuss the creation of a local entity to mobilize charitable giving and fundraising . Members of this group approached the Beckley Area Foundation , which graciously offered its support with a $ 50,000 challenge grant . After a successful fundraising campaign to match the challenge grant , the Hinton Area Foundation ( HAF ) was formed in 1992 .
One of the primary purposes of the foundation is to assist local students with furthering their education and vocational training by awarding scholarships to approximately onethird of graduating seniors from Summers County . The HAF hopes the scholarship program will encourage students to stay in their community or return after completing their education , retaining local talent .
Another important community project for the HAF was to assist in renovating a local elementary school . HAF board members Ken Allman , founder of PracticeLink LTD ., and David Ziegler , retired attorney for Ziegler and Ziegler Law Firm , were able to bring light to and facilitate this project by developing relationships with community-minded folks while attending a West Virginia philanthropy conference . Through this relationship , individual donors and community and private foundation funds have been leveraged to make possible a project that will benefit local students for years to come .
When the HAF collaborates with local donors , businesses and community leaders , it amplifies the impact of its initiatives and results in increased financial and in-kind support ,
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE