BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Beckley Area Foundation (BAF) recently hosted a grant luncheon to celebrate the recipients of its Community Grant Program. This year, BAF awarded an unprecedented $349,438 in grants—its highest total yet from this program.
The Community Grant Program provides discretionary funding to charitable organizations serving Raleigh County in key areas such as animal services, the arts, education, health & human services, public recreation, and youth development.
BAF administers 85 unrestricted funds that collectively award over $400,000 annually to charitable initiatives benefiting Raleigh County. Over the years, these funds have distributed more than $5.5 million to support local projects.
During the luncheon, Regina Thomas, Executive Director of AWAY (formerly known as Women’s Resource Center), delivered an inspiring speech about how her organization fosters community-strengthening solutions and how BAF’s ongoing support has been instrumental in their mission.
The grant selection process was carefully managed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers representing a cross-section of the community. They spent hours reviewing, scoring, and discussing each grant proposal before making recommendations to BAF’s Board of Directors, which provided final approval.
BAF was joined at the event by representatives from local organizations, who were recognized for their projects and grant awards. In total, 48 organizations received funding.
2025 Community Grant Recipients:
- Active Southern WV – Life Saving Equipment & Training for Volunteers
- American Red Cross: Central Appalachia Region – Disaster Cycle Services
- AWAY (Women’s Resource Center) – The Rehoming Survivors Project
- Beaver Volunteer Fire Department – First Responder Equipment
- Beckley Art Group – Around the World
- Beckley Artistic Endeavors – WV Collective Production Support
- Beckley Concert Association – 2025/2026 Concert Season
- Beckley Dream Center – Technology & Equipment Upgrade
- Beckley Health Right – Restorative Dental Project 2025
- Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center – Connecting to Emergency Services
- Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department – AED Capability Expansion
- Brian’s Safehouse – The Art of Becoming a Productive Citizen
- Catholic Charities WV – Basic Needs Assistance
- Coalfield Elite Youth Wrestling – Mat Protection Updates/Add Ons
- Crab Orchard Baptist Church N.O.W. Program – Hygiene Poverty: Serving Humans
- Ghent Area Volunteer Fire Department – Paratech Rescue Airlifting Bags
- Helping Hands Community Resource Center – 2025 Food Distribution
- Hospice of Southern WV – A Seat at Our Table
- Humane Society of Raleigh County – 2025 Cat Colony Program
- Just For Kids Child Advocacy Center – Enhancing Child Advocacy
- Lillian James Learning Center – Water Cooler Purchase
- Marshall University Foundation – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
- Operation Underdog – Lend a Paw
- Patty’s Blessings – Patty’s Meals on Wheels
- Quota Club of Beckley – Empty Bowls
- Raleigh County 4-H Youth Camp – New Electric Range
- Raleigh County All Stars – Ice Maker for the Camp
- Raleigh County Board of Education – STREAMing or Many-Colored Days
- Raleigh County Commission on Aging – Replacement of Recumbent Stepper
- Raleigh County Community Action Association – Life Packs
- Raleigh County Prevention Coalition – Youth Substance Use Prevention
- Raleigh County Public Library – Summer Reading – Level Up at Your Library
- Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office – 2025 AED Project
- Salvation Army – Summer Youth Camp: Music Program
- Sophia Police Department – Laptop Computer Upgrade
- Southern Appalachian Labor School – Protecting the Family Home
- Southern WV Preparedness Partnership – Heads Up Part TWO
- Summit Kollective – Camp Elevate
- Town of Sophia Volunteer Fire Department – Pagers
- Trap Hill Area Little League – New Fields Bleacher Project
- United Methodist Temple, F.O.L.K. Ministry – Feed Our Local Kids Program
- United Methodist Temple, S.A.W. Ministry – Service & Witness Program
- United Way of Southern WV – Read Across Raleigh County
- WVU Foundation – Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program
- WV Professional Dance Company – Serving Raleigh County with Arts
- Woodrow Wilson High School – Flying Eagle Robotics
- Woodrow Wilson High School – Theatre Department’s 2026 Musical
- YMCA of Southern WV – Access for Diversabilities
BAF extends heartfelt appreciation to everyone who helped make this event a success:
- Our Donors: Your vision of supporting organizations today while leaving a lasting legacy for the future is truly inspiring. BAF is honored to facilitate charitable giving that strengthens our community.
- Our Local Organizations: Your contributions are vital to Raleigh County’s success. The impact you make is immeasurable, and BAF is proud to support your efforts.
- Our Volunteers, Committee Members & Board Members: Your time and dedication ensure the success of BAF’s grant programs. We are deeply grateful for your service.
- Karen Akers: Thank you for capturing the spirit of this event through your photography, as you have done so many times before.
Anyone interested in donating to our unrestricted funds may mail contributions with “Stronger Communities” in the memo to BAF, 1210 S. Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting an unrestricted fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email info@bafwv.org.
