Supporting local youth education! Leslie Baker, Director of the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia, accepts a $2,547 check from BAF’s designated fund, presented by Dena Cushman, Executive Director of the Beckley Area Foundation.

 

Southern West Virginia is strengthened by the dedication of local nonprofits working every day to serve neighbors, support families, and create opportunities for future generations. Through designated funds, donors partner with BAF to ensure the causes they care about continue to thrive year after year. These annual distributions reflect a shared commitment to philanthropy, community investment, and lasting impact.

 

Since 1986, BAF has helped donors support the organizations they care about most. Designated funds allow donors to direct their gifts to a specific charity or program, providing vital support for nonprofits across Southern West Virginia. 

 

To date, over $8.6 million has been distributed from designated funds.

 

In fiscal year 2026, BAF distributed $635,806.66 and 77 organizations received funding, supporting critical programs and services that residents rely on every day.

 

The annual designated distribution checks make a significant difference for nonprofits. From operations to capital improvements to youth scholarships, these funds help organizations fulfill their missions and positively impact the people they serve. Together, these organizations represent the heart of the region — providing essential services, enriching cultural life, supporting education, and meeting critical needs across Southern West Virginia.

 

The grant awards are as follows:

    • American Red Cross – Raleigh County | $3,217

    • Animal Control & Welfare Project | $2,231

    • Appalachian Bible College | $6,642.50

    • AWAY (Women’s Resource Center) | $27,427.76

    • BB Hamby Services Inc. | $1,200

    • Beckley Art Group | $2,914

    • Beckley Babe Ruth League, Inc. | $783

    • Beckley Concert Association | $13,706.49

    • Beckley Dream Center | $87.70

    • Beckley Little League, Inc. | $3,832

    • Beckley Presbyterian Church | $63,895.28

    • Beckley-Stratton Middle School | $628

    • Black Diamond Girl Scout Council | $2,153

    • Bluestone Baptist Church | $2,128

    • Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department | $2,362

    • Buckskin Council Boy Scouts of America | $3,031

    • Burlington United Methodist Family Services, Inc. | $869

    • Camp Mountain Heart | $5,026.67

    • Children’s Home Society of West Virginia | $2,173.50

    • City of Beckley | $19,003

    • Concord University | $1,388.50

    • Cranberry Baptist Church | $865

    • Davis Stuart, Inc. | $905

    • Delta Kappa Gamma XI Chapter | $681

    • Family Crisis Center, Inc. | $2,173.50

    • Fayette County Public Library | $7,369

    • First Baptist Church | $6,674.50

    • First Christian Church | $3,015

    • First Presbyterian Church | $258.31

    • First Tee – West Virginia | $1,729

    • First United Methodist Church | $953

    • Fishes and Loaves Food Ministry | $611

    • Friends of the Beckley Library | $1,661

    • Fuller Center for Housing of Beckley, WV | $3,936.50

    • Greenbrier Valley Theatre | $16,942

    • Harrah Cemetery Improvement Association | $478

    • Helping Hands Community Resource Center, Inc. | $22,522.51

    • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church | $258.31

    • Hospice of Southern WV | $56,635.75

    • Humane Society of Raleigh County | $137,447.90

    • Hunter Cemetery Maintenance | $1,200

    • Just For Kids Inc., Child Advocacy Center | $21,257.77

    • Lillian James Learning Center | $539

    • Mac’s Memorial Toy Fund, Inc. | $24,410

    • Marshall Baseball | $50.33

    • New River Humane Society, Inc. | $2,135

    • Operation Underdog | $705

    • Philanthropy West Virginia | $578

    • Piney Creek Watershed Association | $1,299

    • Princeton Public Library | $654

    • Raleigh County Board of Education | $9,235.00

    • Raleigh County Commission on Aging | $3,811

    • Raleigh County Historical Society | $923

    • Raleigh County Public Library | $9,605.50

    • Raleigh County Special Olympics | $574

    • Southern WV Fellowship Home | $2,349

    • St. Francis deSales Catholic Church | $555

    • St. Francis deSales Catholic School | $6,872.33

    • St. Matthews AME Church | $1,203

    • St. Stephens Episcopal Church | $6,776.50

    • Storm Haven Inc | $826

    • Temple Beth El | $2,132

    • The Salvation Army | $16.151.66

    • Theatre West Virginia, Inc. | $3,039

    • Three Rivers Avian Center | $2,164

    • United Methodist Temple | $2,492.50

    • United Way of Southern WV, Inc. | $4,401

    • University of Charleston – Beckley | $29,338

    • West Virginia Public Broadcasting Foundation, Inc. | $8,336

    • Wildwood Cemetery Preservation Association | $5,000

    • Woman’s Club of Beckley | $1,201

    • Woodrow Wilson High School | $692.53

    • WV Professional Dance Company | $485

    • WVU Foundation, Inc. | $5,000

    • Wyoming County Paw Patrol, Inc. | $4,138.86

    • Wyoming County Toy Fund Inc | $1,283

    • YMCA of Southern West Virginia | $23,231.00
    • Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia | $2,547
 

Designated funds continue to be one of the most powerful ways donors create lasting change. By supporting organizations year after year, these funds provide stability for nonprofits and help ensure vital programs remain available to the communities they serve. BAF is honored to oversee these gifts and partner with donors who believe in building a stronger future for Southern West Virginia.

 

Every gift — large or small — continues to provide vital support to nonprofits and helps shape a stronger, more vibrant region for all.

 

Support a Designated Fund