Beckley Area Foundation (BAF) recently hosted a grant luncheon to celebrate the recipients of its Community Grant Program. This year, BAF awarded an unprecedented $349,438 in grants—its highest total yet from this program.
The Community Grant Program provides discretionary funding to charitable organizations serving Raleigh County in key areas such as animal services, the arts, education, health & human services, public recreation, and youth development.
BAF administers 85 unrestricted funds that collectively award over $400,000 annually to charitable initiatives benefiting Raleigh County. Over the years, these funds have distributed more than $5.5 million to support local projects.
During the luncheon, Regina Thomas (pictured), Executive Director of AWAY (formerly known as Women’s Resource Center), delivered an inspiring speech about how her organization fosters community-strengthening solutions and how BAF’s ongoing support has been instrumental in their mission.
The grant selection process was carefully managed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers representing a cross-section of the community. They spent hours reviewing, scoring, and discussing each grant proposal before making recommendations to BAF’s Board of Directors, which provided final approval.
BAF was joined at the event by representatives from local organizations, who were recognized for their projects and grant awards. In total, 48 organizations received funding.
2025 Community Grant Recipients:
Active Southern WV – Life Saving Equipment & Training for Volunteers
American Red Cross: Central Appalachia Region – Disaster Cycle Services
AWAY (Women’s Resource Center) – The Rehoming Survivors Project
Beaver Volunteer Fire Department – First Responder Equipment
Beckley Art Group – Around the World
Beckley Artistic Endeavors – WV Collective Production Support
Beckley Concert Association – 2025/2026 Concert Season
Beckley Dream Center – Technology & Equipment Upgrade
Beckley Health Right – Restorative Dental Project 2025
Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center – Connecting to Emergency Services
Bradley-Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department – AED Capability Expansion
Brian’s Safehouse – The Art of Becoming a Productive Citizen
Catholic Charities WV – Basic Needs Assistance
Coalfield Elite Youth Wrestling – Mat Protection Updates/Add Ons
Crab Orchard Baptist Church N.O.W. Program – Hygiene Poverty: Serving Humans
Ghent Area Volunteer Fire Department – Paratech Rescue Airlifting Bags
Helping Hands Community Resource Center – 2025 Food Distribution
Hospice of Southern WV – A Seat at Our Table
Humane Society of Raleigh County – 2025 Cat Colony Program
Just For Kids Child Advocacy Center – Enhancing Child Advocacy
Lillian James Learning Center – Water Cooler Purchase
Marshall University Foundation – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Operation Underdog – Lend a Paw
Patty’s Blessings – Patty’s Meals on Wheels
Quota Club of Beckley – Empty Bowls
Raleigh County 4-H Youth Camp – New Electric Range
Raleigh County All Stars – Ice Maker for the Camp
Raleigh County Board of Education – STREAMing or Many-Colored Days
Raleigh County Commission on Aging – Replacement of Recumbent Stepper
Raleigh County Community Action Association – Life Packs
Raleigh County Prevention Coalition – Youth Substance Use Prevention
Raleigh County Public Library – Summer Reading – Level Up at Your Library
Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office – 2025 AED Project
Salvation Army – Summer Youth Camp: Music Program
Sophia Police Department – Laptop Computer Upgrade
Southern Appalachian Labor School – Protecting the Family Home
Southern WV Preparedness Partnership – Heads Up Part TWO
Summit Kollective – Camp Elevate
Town of Sophia Volunteer Fire Department – Pagers
Trap Hill Area Little League – New Fields Bleacher Project
United Methodist Temple, F.O.L.K. Ministry – Feed Our Local Kids Program
United Methodist Temple, S.A.W. Ministry – Service & Witness Program
United Way of Southern WW – Read Across Raleigh County
WVU Foundation – Children’s Vision Rehabilitation Program
WV Professional Dance Company – Serving Raleigh County with Arts
Woodrow Wilson High School – Flying Eagle Robotics
Woodrow Wilson High School – Theatre Department’s 2026 Musical
YMCA of Southern WV – Access for Diversabilities
BAF extends heartfelt appreciation to everyone who helped make this event a success:
- BAF’s Donors: Your vision of supporting organizations today while leaving a lasting legacy for the future is truly inspiring. BAF is honored to facilitate charitable giving that strengthens our community.
- Local Organizations: Your contributions are vital to Raleigh County’s success. The impact you make is immeasurable, and BAF is proud to support your efforts.
- Volunteers, Committee Members & Board Members: Your time and dedication ensure the success of BAF’s grant programs. We are deeply grateful for your service.
- Karen Akers: Thank you for capturing the spirit of this event through your photography, as you have done so many times before.
Anyone interested in donating to our unrestricted funds may mail contributions with “Stronger Communities” in the memo to BAF, 1210 S. Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV 25801 or click the button below to donate online. If you are interested in starting an unrestricted fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email info@bafwv.org.