Community Grant Program Now Accepting Applications!

Using the pooled income from its discretionary funds, BAF addresses the community's most pressing needs and promising opportunities. BAF makes annual discretionary grants to charitable organizations serving Raleigh County in the areas of animal services, arts, basic needs, civic beautification, economic development, education, health and human services and public recreation.

Eligibility
The Foundation considers grant requests from organizations which are:

• Designated as a nonprofit under Section 501-c-3 of the Internal Revenue Code   or  is a public institution, school or municipality. An IRS determination letter verifies 501-c-3 status.
• Programs funded must directly benefit Raleigh County. While the proposed program itself must serve Raleigh County, the applicant organization is not required to be headquartered in Raleigh County.
• Project or program must occur within the defined grant period: April 1, 2024 — March 31, 2025.
• Submission of an application, including all required documents and information, by the application deadline.   Deadline is November 30th 11:59 p.m.

Apply Today!

Latest News

Students First Program Awards $33,557.47 to Raleigh County Schools

Beckley Area Foundation began the Students First program in 1996, to provide funding support for creative and innovative instructional projects. This grant opportunity supports Raleigh County classroom teachers, Pre-K through 12th grade.

The BAF Board of Directors reviewed the committee grant recommendations for final approval and awarded $33,557.45 to 55 projects, supporting 44 teachers at 17 schools.

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Scholarship Fund Established for Wyoming East High School Graduates

BAF is honored to announce the establishment of the Stoutamyer Scholarship Fund, in memory of Raymond “Pody” Stoutamyer. Raymond taught science and biology in Wyoming County for nearly 40 years at Oceana and Pineville high schools.

​The scholarship is to benefit students with financial need from Wyoming East High School, to enable their quest for higher education while reducing their financial burden.

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Recent Memorials

Edward Leon Ford

Edward Leon Ford of Beckley went to be with the Lord on October 9, 2023, and was born in 1956  in Charleston, WV. He was the son of the late Jimmy C. and Jean Morton Ford.

Eddy graduated from WWHS where he was an outstanding member of the Flying Eagle football team. In his younger years he loved scouting as he earned his Eagle Scout award. He attended Marshall University for several years majoring in Marketing. He began his early career in sales with Bias Blueprint and Gates Supply. He retired from the IUOE as an instructor for HAZMAT after many years.

Donations can be made to the Coach Joel Hicks Scholarship or Brian’s Safehouse and Sparrow's Nest Fund in Eddy’s memory.

Donate in Memory of Eddy

Dr. Thomas W. Jarrett

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Dr. Thomas W. Jarrett, 73, of Daniels, WV. Tom was born on in 1950, in Charleston, WV to Dr. William Mitchell and Jean Wilshire Jarrett.

Tom was WVU alumni and pursued a post doctorate degree in orthodontics, for which he attended St. Louis University. In 1977, Tom moved to Beckley and opened his orthodontic practice. He was on faculty at the WVU School of Dentistry in the orthodontics department for over 30 years. 
Tom loved his community and wanted to see it flourish. He was on the board of directors of BAF, instrumental in building the YMCA Youth Soccer Complex, founder of Citizen Southern Bank, and developer of Brookshire Professional Park.  He was an originator of Chili Night, involved in the Youth Museum, contributed to the F.O.L.K. project and Operation Backpack. He was an advocate and supporter of the Raleigh County Humane Society. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to BAF.

Donate in Memory of Tom

Mary Frances Roop

Mary Frances Roop, of Beckley, WV, passed peacefully on August 19th, 2023. She was reunited with the love of her life and husband of 67 years, Jack Jordan Roop.

She was born in Coshocton, OH, in 1937, to Carl and Virginia Hodges and began her career at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, serving for 35 years. She later became employed with the WV State Senate and the Raleigh County Clerk's Office.

Mary Frances was a faithful member of the Maxwell Hill Baptist Church, was named 2022 West Virginia Democrat of the Year and served as a Board Member of the Lillian James Learning Center.
​
Donations  can be made in her memory to the Jack Jordan & Mary Frances Roop Family Scholarship Fund.

Donate in Memory of Mary

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New Funds

Shady Spring High School Class of 1969 Scholarship Fund
​Hedrick Family Fund
Jack Jordan and Mary Frances Roop Family Scholarship Fund
Stoutamyer Scholarship Fund
WWHS Class of 1973 Scholarship Fund
Shady Spring High School  Class of '86 Scholarship Fund
Francis Sayre Beasley Memorial Choir Fund
Brian's Safehouse and Sparrow's Nest Fund
Elmo J. Hurst Memorial Scholarship Fund
​Athas and Helen Soter (Athanasios and Eleni Karakasis Soteracopoulos) Memorial Fund​​