The Grants Program of the Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. is entrusted to serve Mercer County, WV and Tazewell County, VA by addressing ever changing charitable needs of the area as periodic growth and social changes occur. The Grants Committee is interested in projects that enrich the life of the community in education, health, the environment, human services, recreation, and the arts and the humanities.

No standardized grant application is required. Applications should consist of a two-page letter describing the project, with attachments containing supporting supplemental information as listed on the Grant Application Cover Sheet. Please use this sheet as a checklist to make sure you have included all required information. The Grant Application Cover Sheet must accompany your supporting documentation.

Applications will be accepted April 1, 2006 through June 30, 2006. The Grants Committee will review all applications, conduct site visits, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval of funding. This process should be complete by September 30, 2006 at which time all applicants will be advised as to action taken on their request. If a grant is awarded, each recipient will be required to sign a certification letter and to submit detailed fund expenditure reports to the Community Foundation.

The primary source of funding for grant applications is Unrestricted Funds, Donor Advised, and Field of Interest Funds. Most applications will be considered for funding from these sources. Please refer to the Community Foundation’s Annual Report for additional information about these Funds (available upon request).

Special funds – The Fund for Mercer County, established in 1999 as a result of the Foundation’s participation in the West Virginia Neighborhood Investment Program, encourages organizations to work together to find unique and creative approaches to address the needs of the underserved population. Potential applicants for grants from this Fund will have to meet state mandated guidelines and established criteria for serving economically disadvantaged communities, and low income and/or undereducated citizens within the project description that is presented and/or by virtue of their goals and mission statement. Grants from The Fund for Mercer County will be made to qualifying Mercer County non-profit organizations that meet these criteria. If you feel your application meets the above criteria, please indicate it on the Grant Application Cover Sheet (2) (f). Your indication of interest in The Fund for Mercer County does not preclude your application being considered for funding from unrestricted and field of interest funds.