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 office has relocated to 622 Commerce Street in Bluefield, WV.
This new location is the former AAA building, and is now the Legacy Partners building owned by the Hugh I. Shott, Jr. Foundation, with the purpose of housing and assisting area non-profits.
https://user-23310503727.cld.bz/2025-Community-Foundation-of-the-Virginias-Inc-Annual-Repo
At its September meeting, the Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. Board of Directors approved Grant Awards for 2026, as recommended by the Grants Committee.
The Committee recommended 88 awards, totaling $450,815.72.
The Award categories are:
Education – 21 Awards totaling $71,945.10
Health – 7 Awards totaling $19,279.00
Human Services – 42 Awards totaling $253,744.11
Arts & Humanities – 18 Awards totaling $105,847.51
Award letters have been sent to recipients, along with information about receiving funds and the instructions for completing the Grant process.
The Foundation thanks the Grants Committee for its diligence in reviewing the large number of applications. Its members are: Kathleen Blaydes, Chair; Maggie Asbury, Mary Azzo, Mary Jo Babbitt, Gene Bailey, Carol Cofer, Deborah Garton, Stacey Hicks, Kelly Knowles, Cathy Corte Payne, Mike Swatts, Peter Taylor, Daniel Wells, and Cathy Zimmerman.
The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Virginias, Inc. approved 214 scholarships for graduating seniors at high schools and home-schooled students in Mercer County, McDowell County, Bland County and Tazewell County in the 2026 Scholarships Cycle.
The Foundation’s Scholarships Committee recommended awards for 158 applicants this year. Awards were also approved for 36 college students who were eligible to renew scholarships they had received previously.
These awards totaled $356,800, and were funded by 52 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; Maggie Asbury, Carol Cofer, Deborah Garton, Kathy Shott, Sharon Webster, Cathy Zimmerman, Harry Kammer and Ron Martin.
Those receiving scholarship awards will be notified by mail in June.
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.
