Lending a Helping Hand to the Community
The Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. promotes philanthropy by fostering charitable giving, serving our donors’ interests, and effectively responding to the needs and opportunities of communities in Mercer County, WV, Tazewell County, VA, and surrounding areas.
Through scholarships and grants in the areas of Education; the Arts, Culture, and the Humanities; Health; and Human Services, the Community Foundation matches the generosity of the people of our area with the needs of area organizations and individuals.
The Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc., held its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at its offices on North Street in Bluefield.
The organization’s success depends largely upon the efforts of its volunteer Officers, Directors, and Committee members. Officers re-elected for 2025 are: President, Julie Johnson; Vice President, Gene Bailey; and Secretary, Mary Jo Babbitt.
The Foundation is pleased to welcome three new members to the Board of Directors: Josh Cline, who will also serve as the Foundation’s Treasurer; Kelly Knowles, and David Kirk.
The Foundation wishes to express its appreciation to outgoing Board member Craig Hammond.
Directors reappointed to four-year terms are: Gene Bailey, Deborah Garton, Stacey Hicks, and Rick Kendrick.
The Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. was established to support the needs and interests of Mercer County, West Virginia, Tazewell County, Virginia, and surrounding area. Now in its 32nd year, the Community Foundation has returned more than $5 million dollars in Grants to area non-profits and Scholarships to area students.
The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. met Tuesday, September 10 and voted to approve 70 grants totaling $482,096.54. An additional $147,672.21 will be distributed from Donor Designated, Donor Advised, and Pass-Through funds.
The Grants were awarded in the four categories of charitable giving: Education, 10 awards; Health, 4 awards; Human Services, 36 awards; and Arts & Humanities, 20 awards.
Successful applicants will receive notifications in the mail.
The 2024 Scholarships Cycle awarded $319,100.00 to area students.
In 2024 the Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. has invested a total of $950,869 in support of area organizations and students.
And in the 31 years of its existence, the Foundation has given back $5,042,000 to its communities.
The Foundation appreciates the diligence of the Grants Committee in reviewing the many applications we received: Kathleen Blaydes, Chair, and members Maggie Asbury, Mary Jo Babbitt, Gene Bailey, Carol Cofer, Deborah Garton, Cathy Payne, Mike Swatts, Peter Taylor, Daniel Wells, and Cathy Zimmerman.
The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. approved 209 scholarships for graduating seniors at high schools and home-schooled students in Mercer County and Tazewell County in the 2024 Scholarships Cycle.
The Foundation’s Scholarships Committee recommended awards for 140 applicants this year. Awards were also approved for 31 college students who were eligible to renew scholarships they had received previously.
These awards totaled $319,100, and were funded by 42 separate scholarship funds at the Foundation.
The Foundation appreciates the dedication and hours of time invested by the Scholarships Committee, the members of which are: Tom Chaffins, Chairman; Gene Bailey, Deborah Garton, Kathy Shott, Sharon Webster, and Cathy Zimmerman.
Those receiving scholarship awards have been notified by mail.
The Foundation is proud to have been selected for this award by the Tazewell County Chamber of Commerce! Thank you!
Call us at (304) 324-0222 to learn more about our scholarships, grants, donation programs, and more.
Call us at (304) 324-0222 to learn more about our scholarships, grants, donation programs, and more.
Need Storage Space or Office Space? More Information
Save money, and also be a partner in making our area a better place to live!
