Power of Community: Over Half a Million Dollars in Grants Distributed by BAF Designated Funds

A designated fund is established by a donor to benefit a specific charity, or program for a charity. Since the first designated fund was established in 1986, BAF has had the honor of helping donors support the organizations they are most passionate about. To date, over seven million dollars has been distributed from designated funds.

“Thanks to the steadfast support of BAF and the generosity of donors, Hospice of SWV continues to thrive in its mission of providing unparalleled care to our patients and families. The recent grant distributions of $33,962.15 is a testament to our community’s belief in our work. Together, we're not just expanding services, but also innovating and ensuring that every individual receives the highest quality care. Your contributions fuel our commitment to excellence, enabling us to uphold our reputation for nationally recognized 5-Star care. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the impact it has on our community.”

— Janett Green | CEO, Hospice of SWV

BAF distributed $551,354 to 76 organizations from designated funds for the 2024 distribution cycle.

The grant awards are as follows:

• American Red Cross – Raleigh County, WV $3,103
  

“Red Cross responds to disasters every 8 minutes and these generous donations will help those impacted.”
— Angela Akers | Disaster Program Manager, Central and Southern Chapter

• Animal Control and Welfare Project $2,165
• Appalachian Bible College $6,623
• AWAY $26,408
• BAF - Green River Garden Center $1,444
• Beckley Art Group, Inc. $2,825
• Beckley Babe Ruth League, Inc. $757
• Beckley Concert Association $14,106
• Beckley Dream Center $85
• Beckley Little League, Inc. $3,805
• Beckley Presbyterian Church $62,468
• Beckley-Stratton Middle School $627
• Black Diamond Girl Scout Council $2,148
• Bluefield State University $500
• Bluestone Baptist Church $2,051
• Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department $2,246
• Buckskin Council of Boy Scouts of America $3,023
• Burlington United Methodist Family Services $409
• Carpenter’s Corner $547
• Children’s Home Society of West Virginia $2,166
• City of Beckley $18,216
• Concord University $1,385
• Cranberry Baptist Church $1,266
• Davis Stuart, Inc. $870
• Family Crisis Center, Inc. $2,166
• Fayette County Public Library $7,334
• First Baptist Church $6,910
• First Christian Church $2,838
• First United Methodist Church $922
• Friends of the Beckley Library $1,656
• Fuller Center for Housing of Beckley, WV $3,999
• Harrah Cemetery Improvement Association $461
• Helping Hands Resource Center $22,271
• Hospice of Southern West Virginia, Inc. $33,962
• Humane Society of Raleigh County $57,958
• Just for Kids $18,648

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of BAF in supporting our efforts at Just for Kids Child Advocacy Center. These funds will help provide comfort and support to child abuse victims.”
— Dr. Deanee' Johnson, Ph.D. | Executive Director, Just for Kids Child Advocacy Center

• Lillian James Learning Center $538
• Mac’s Toy Fund $35,000
• Marshall Baseball $131
• Mountain Heart Foundation $2,500
• New River Humane Society, Inc. $2,033
• Operation Underdog $456
• Philanthropy WV $237
• Piney Creek Watershed Association $1,291
• Princeton Public Library $631
• Raleigh County Board of Education $7,358
• Raleigh County Commission on Aging $3,302

“BAF has been a godsend to this community for many years. They have supported the RCCOA’s efforts to serve the senior citizens of Raleigh County and southern W. Va. by directing much needed financial awards to us on numerous occasions. Equally important, BAF has provided the means and the opportunities for our residents to create their own funds to financially support agencies and causes so very important to them. The designated funds established at BAF by supporters of our agency are so essential to our mission of helping our senior citizens keep the most valuable thing they own, their independence. Thank you, BAF.”
— Jack Tanner | Executive Director, RCCOA

• Raleigh County Emergency Housing Center $225
• Raleigh County Historical Society $680
• Raleigh County NAACP $1,360
• Raleigh County Public Library $7,342
• Raleigh County Special Olympics $556
• Richard A. Rice Fund – Building Fund $18,874
• Southern WV Fellowship Home $2,189
• St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church $550
• St. Francis De Sales Catholic School $6,847
• St. Matthews AME Church $751
• St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church $6,748
• Storm Haven Inc $952
• Temple Beth El $2,095
• The First Tee of West Virginia $2,279
• The Salvation Army $15,526

“The Salvation Army is so thankful for the synergy of our community members and BAF. Meeting human need is foundational to our mission wherever need is found — food insecurity, utility assistance, after-school programing or summer camps. These funds will meet needs for families and individuals as we seek to continue to ‘Do the Most Good’ for those whose need us most.”
— Liz Blusiewicz | Captain, The Salvation Army Beckley Corps

• Theatre West Virginia, Inc. $2,872

“I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to BAF for their unwavering support of Theatre WV. Their generous contributions have played a vital role in empowering our community's artists. With their support, TWV has been able to provide essential resources, educational programs, and initiatives that have made a significant impact on the lives of countless artists in our area. I extend my deepest gratitude to BAF for their continued support. Together, we can create a world where every artist’s voice is heard, valued, and celebrated.” — Gayle Oaks | General Manager, Theatre WV

• Three Rivers Avian Center $1,848
• United Methodist Temple $2,485
• United Way $29,253
• University of Charleston – Beckley $26,778
• West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. $7,867
• Wildwood Cemetery Preservation Association $8,500
• Woman’s Club of Beckley $1,162
• Woodrow Wilson High School $300
• Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund $375
• Wyoming County Paw Patrol, Inc. $8,500
• Wyoming County Toy Fund Inc $1,238
• YMCA of Southern West Virginia $18,935
• Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia $2,427

“The Youth Museum extends its heartfelt gratitude to the visionary donors who established our endowment with BAF. Their ongoing generosity allows us to deliver impactful programs that align with our mission of serving children throughout the area.”
— Leslie Baker | Director of Parks and Rec, City of Beckley

​Anyone interested in donating to a designated fund may mail contributions with the name of the fund 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 a designated fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email [email protected].

Support a Designated Fund