Foundation History
A merger of the Bluefield Area Foundation and the Greater Mercer County Charitable Foundation in June 2002 established the Community Foundation of the Virginias. This joining together of talent, ideas, energy, and resources allows the Foundation to better and more fully serve the residents of Mercer County, WV and Tazewell County, VA.
The two organizations have a strong and established history of serving the charitable needs of the community. The Bluefield Area Foundation was established in 1993 and has experienced sustained growth due to the dedication and leadership of Foundation volunteer directors. A wide variety of non-profit organizations; providing health, human services, educational, and cultural programs; have directly benefited from grants awarded from the Foundation.
The Greater Mercer County Charitable Foundation was founded in 1998. The Foundation was established to address the changing and varied needs of the community. The GMCCF was organized to provide assistance in the areas of education, the arts, health services, human services, and recreation. In addition, a number of college scholarships were established with the GMCCF. The efforts of the GMCCF have enhanced and improved the Greater Mercer County area.
In March 2003, the Community Foundation of the Virginias announced the first grant recipients of the newly merged organization. The awards were made utilizing a competitive grants program and were administered by the Grants Committee. This committee was comprised of Board of Directors and community members.
Including grants for 2005, over $244,000 has been awarded to the community through grants and scholarships. These awards have benefited a wide variety of programs, individuals, organizations, schools, and service groups. The flexibility of the Community Foundation ensures that the best programs and organizations continue to receive funding while allowing for support of new programs and ideas as the community continues to change.
Philanthropic efforts are available to all through the Community Foundation of the Virginias. By pooling assets, supporters of all financial levels can join in support of the community. The Foundation provides an array of giving opportunities: memorial gifts, honorary donations, the establishment of new funds for named individuals or causes, legacy gifts through donations from estate planning, as well as monetary gifts of all sizes.
The Community Foundation of the Virginias has been just one example of the communities in Mercer and Tazewell Counties joining together with the common goal of community improvement for all citizens. Through the combined efforts of all area citizens, the community continues to grow and improve for today and the generations of tomorrow.