BAF Scholarship Portal Now Open!

BAF provides oversight for over 200 scholarship funds established by individuals, firms and organizations wishing to assist students in furthering their education.

While the majority of scholarships benefit Raleigh County applicants, there are scholarships designated for Fayette, Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Webster and Wyoming students.

How To Apply

Latest News

BAF Community Grant Program -
​Accepting Applications

Using the pooled income from its discretionary funds, BAF addresses the community's most pressing needs & promising opportunities.

​BAF makes annual discretionary grants to charitable organizations serving Raleigh County in the areas of: Animal services, the arts, basic needs, civic beautification, economic development, education, health and human services, public recreation.

Applications are due February 15th, 2025!

Apply Today

City National Bank Donates $15,000 to BAF in Memory of Tracy Warren Hylton II

City National Bank donates $15,000 to BAF in memory of Tracy Warren Hylton II, who passed away on January 11, 2025.

Recognizing the importance of accessible higher education for local youth, the Hylton family started a permanently endowed scholarship at Mountain State University. After the closure of MSU, they moved the fund to the Beckley Area Foundation (BAF), where it continues to generate income for need- and merit-based scholarships.

These scholarships are available to college-bound students from coal-producing counties in southern West Virginia and are designated for those pursuing degrees at the University of Charleston – Beckley campus.

Read the Full Article

New Funds

Clinton & Louise Oakes Family Scholarship
​Castrodale Scholarship Fund
Fowler Family Fund
Quesenberry Family Scholarship Fund
​​​Raleigh County Veterans Museum Fund
​​Thomas W. Jarrett Memorial Fund
Peggy & Polly Cook Fund
Salon Family Fund
Anna M. Collins & John Maynard Collins Scholarship Fund
​Veterans Cemetery Endowment​​

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Recent Memorials

Regina Mae Farmer

Regina Mae Hughes Farmer was born in Auburn, KY in 1928, an passed away January 1st, 2025. Most of her friends called her "Reggie". 

Regina graduated from Auburn High School in 1945. She attended Bowling Green (KY) Business University where she met her husband Charles C. Farmer, Jr. They were married March 5th,1948 and relocated to Beckley, WV during August, 1948.

Regina was a member of the Beckley First Baptist Church where she regularly attended the Fellowship Sunday School Class and Lizzie Lewis Circle. For many years, she was a former member of Memorial Baptist Church of Beckley and enjoyed the many friends made there. 

Donations can be made to the Farmer-Sims Memorial Fund in Regina's memory.

Donate in Memory of Regina

Colette Minter Meadows

Colette Minter Meadows of Beckley, WV passed away on December 16, 2024. She was the daughter of Colie H. and Thelma Vannoy Minter.

Colette graduated from WWHS and Marshall University, where she was a member of Tri Sigma National Sorority. She loved teaching and taught school in Ohio at Chesapeake High School, Mansfield Senior High School, and Wayne County High Schools. Later in life, she also taught Adult Education in Princeton, WV. She also worked at the Wooster Clinic and The College of Wooster (OH).

She was President of Bud and Blossom Garden Club in Mansfield, OH, President of Floralyn Garden Club in Wooster, OH, President of Phymosia Garden Club, and a member of Country Road Garden Club, both in Beckley. Other activities included President of the Junior Progress League in Wooster, and Vice President of Junior Women's Club in Huntington, WV. She taught Sunday School and was a Deacon at the Wooster Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Beckley Presbyterian Church.

Colette loved painting, gardening and was an avid reader and book club member and enjoyed spending time with her beloved husband and family.

Donations can be made to the WWHS Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund in Colette's memory.

Donate in Memory of Colette

Charles "Chuck" F. Lucas

Charles French Lucas of Beckley, WV, passed away December 10, 2024. Affectionately known as “Chuck”, he was born February 27, 1937, in Beckley. He was the son of the late Roy and Polly Lucas.

Chuck was a graduate of WWHS, Class of 1955 and during his junior year was chosen by the Kiwanis Club to attend Mountaineer Boys State. He later attended Hampden-Sydney College where he graduated with honors in 1959.

After his college graduation, he became a sales representative for Kimberly Clark Corporation. After 17 years Chuck and Carolyn decided to return to their hometown and Chuck joined his father Roy and his brother Roy, Jr. in their family firm Lucas General Tire.

Chuck and Carolyn happily shared their time, talents and generosities with their community which included the Beckley Presbyterian Church, the Salvation Army, the Raleigh County Library and others.

Donations can be made to the WWHS Class of 1955 Scholarship Fund in Chuck’s memory.

Donate in Memory of Chuck