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NEWS BLOG

About Us

The Beckley Area Foundation is very different from other philanthropic and nonprofit institutions. It is a charitable channel through which donors give. The community foundation concept is as ingenious as it is simple—it is a means by which a substantial amount of money can be built over time from contributions both large and small, the income from which is used to meet the community’s charitable needs. 

Each year your community foundation does this by providing grants in the fields of education, health and human services, the arts, public recreation and beautification.

Through BAF, donors are endowing the future—helping people make an impact through lasting and meaningful contributions to meet the needs of our community today. Your gift can make a difference. 

Beckley Area Foundation is a 501-c-3 non-profit community charity as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, and all donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Our History

The Beckley Area Foundation, Inc. was established in January 1985 by ten community-minded citizens. It began with a gift of $1.1 million from the Dr. Thomas Walker Memorial Health Foundation as "seed" money for this Raleigh County project. BAF assets have grown to nearly $40 million in 430 different funds managed by our four trustee banks. Today, the Beckley Area Foundation is one of West Virginia’s largest community foundations.

Only the income from these funds is spent. The principal remains intact to serve the community forever. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $10 million to charities and other worthy projects in the fields of education, public recreation, health and human services, the arts and beautification.

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New Funds at BAF:

Coach Willie Barbera Memorial Fund
​Wayne and Diana Bennett Family Fund
​Cavendish Family Fund
Cutlip-Harkins Endowment for Webster County
Cutlip-Harkins Scholarship Fund
Evelyn A. Farris Fund
Augustine "Augie" Hovanski Scholarship Fund
Susan Stevenson Landis Spirit of Philanthropy Endowment
Susan Landis Youth Philanthropists Fund
Sterling T. Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund
David B. and Nancy L. McClure Fund
​Stephen Mullens Scholarship Fund
Oceana High School Class of 1966 Scholarship Fund
​Raleigh County Historical Society Fund
Brooklyn Nicole Runion Scholarship Fund
David Alan Wills Scholarship Fund
WWHS Class of 1969 Memorial Scholarship Fund
​WWHS Class of 1970 Scholarship Fund

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Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards Beckley Area Foundation is a member of the National Council on Foundations, Philanthropy WV, , Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce and WV Leave A Legacy.
The Beckley Area Foundation annual audit, 990 and 990-T (if filed) are available for review in the BAF office.  "WV residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secreatry of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV  25305.  Registration does not imply endorsement."