In March, the Beckley Area Foundation established the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which was created to support local non-profit organizations working to provide aid to those impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

After our latest fifth round of grant award decisions, we have now granted $49,375 to sixteen different non-profit organizations. Below is a list of non-profits in our community who we have supported during this time.

Bread of Life | The purchase of supplies for their food pantry.
Raleigh County Commission on Aging | The purchase of food for their local pick-up or home delivery seniors program.
One Voice WV | The purchase of food to support the Food for Angels program.
Beckley Dream Center | The purchase of food for children, unemployed and the elderly in our community.
Crab Orchard Baptist Church | The purchase of food to assist their Neighbors on Wheels program to help low-income communities.
Helping Hands | The purchase of food and supplies to help Raleigh County residents who cannot afford food.
McDowell County Commission on Aging | The purchase of food boxes for seniors and disabled individuals.
The Carpenter's Corner | The purchase of supplies to support their take-out feeding program.
Salvation Army | The purchase of food boxes for unemployed and low-income families.
Five Loaves and Two Fishes Food Bank, Inc. | The purchase of food for their summer feeding program.
The Itmann Food Bank | The purchase of food for their food pantry.
Quota Club of Beckley | Matching funds to support their Empty Bowls program that supports nine local food pantries.
Women's Resource Center | Purchase of food, cleaning supplies and personal care items.
City of Gary, Police Dept. | The purchase of Automatic Electronic Defibrillators for first responder units in McDowell County.
Catholic Charities of WV, Webster Springs | Purchase of food and personal care items.
Food for Body and Soul | The purchase of food for senior citizens and low-income families.

Your Donation Will Support Our Community Today

The Beckley Area Foundation is very thankful for the contributions we have received thus far. We are reviewing applications each week and will continue to distribute grants in response to our community needs.

If you are interested in donating, you may donate online by clicking the button below, or make a check payable to Beckley Area Foundation with "CERF" in the memo line.

Please mail your check to Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main Street, Suite 301, Beckley, WV 25801.

The Beckley Area Foundation received a $10,000 grant from Truist Financial Corporation to support the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund (CERF) established to provide resources to aid those impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

The grant is part of the financial services company’s Truist Cares initiative*, a $50 million philanthropic pledge to help rebuild communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
“The Beckley Area Foundation is incredibly thankful for the grant from Truist. Their support has helped us meet the needs of many nonprofits located in southern West Virginia that are dealing with increased needs during this pandemic,” said Executive Director Dena Cushman. “Because of their dedicated efforts, we have been able to fast track funds to the communities we serve.”

“We are proud to support the Beckley Area Foundation,” said Bobby Blakley, West Virginia Regional President at Truist. “Helping to ensure nonprofits can continue to meet the basic needs of West Virginia’s most vulnerable during this difficult time aligns perfectly with our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.”

CERF will support community-based nonprofits that, in turn, directly support individuals and families that are most affected by COVID-19 and its impacts in Raleigh County. If a non-profit organization you know could use additional resources to handle the increase of needs from COVID-19, please reach out to [email protected]. 

Priorities will include food, childcare, transportation, healthcare or prescription assistance. If you are looking for resources now, please contact 211 for information about direct assistance organizations.

​In May, the Beckley Area Foundation – along with other participating community foundations and United Ways across the state – combined their efforts with Philanthropy WV for a Take 5 to Give 5 campaign. Your donations, combined with the additional matching dollars from participating sponsors raised $16,462.64 for your local emergency relief fund. Your donations will support local nonprofit organizations providing aid to those impacted by the coronavirus outbreak in Raleigh, McDowell, Webster and Wyoming counties.
 
“Although we are living in unexpected difficult times, we are not surprised by the strength, kindness, and generosity of West Virginians,” said Dena Cushman, Executive Director. “We’ve seen time and time again the resiliency of our communities, and we are so grateful they’ve chosen to give back and support the work being done to get through this hardship.”
 
BAF would like to thank the campaign’s Matching Fund Sponsors: Toyota, United Bank, Highmark Foundation, Bernard McDonough Foundation, West Virginia American Water, and an anonymous donor who matched your donations, $0.65 for every $1. Since March, BAF has granted $39,985 to thirteen different non-profit organizations. Below is a list of non-profits in our community who we have supported during this time.

Bread of Life The purchase of supplies for their food pantry.
Raleigh County Commission on Aging The purchase of food for their local pick-up or home delivery seniors program.
One Voice WV The purchase of food to support the Food for Angels program.
Beckley Dream Center The purchase of food for children, unemployed and the elderly in our community.
Crab Orchard Baptist Church The purchase of food to assist their Neighbors on Wheels program to help low-income communities.
Helping Hands The purchase of food and supplies to help Raleigh County residents who cannot afford food.
McDowell County Commission on Aging The purchase of food boxes for seniors and disabled individuals.
The Carpenter's Corner The purchase of supplies to support their take-out feeding program.
Salvation Army The purchase of food boxes for unemployed and low-income families.
Five Loaves and Two Fishes Food Bank, Inc. The purchase of food for their summer feeding program.
The Itmann Food Bank The purchase of food for their food pantry.
Quota Club of Beckley Matching funds to support their Empty Bowls program.
Women’s Resource Center The purchase of food and cleaning supplies.

Your donation will support our community today. We are very thankful for the contributions we have received thus far. If you are interested in donating, you may donate online by clicking the button below, or make a check payable to Beckley Area Foundation with CERF in the memo line.

Please mail your check to Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main Street, Ste 301, Beckley, WV 25801