5 Ways The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) Transformed The Mid-Ohio Valley In 2025
Contents
PACF: A 2025 Year in Review of Unprecedented Regional Impact
The PACF's operational reach extends well beyond Parkersburg, encompassing a vast network of Regional Affiliates, including the Doddridge County Community Foundation (DCCF), the Ritchie County Community Foundation, and the Little Kanawha Area Community Foundation. This structure allows the PACF to tailor its support to the specific needs of each county and community. The foundation's core mission is to partner with generous people to build permanent philanthropic resources that strengthen the region, focusing on six key community needs.1. Over $417,000 in Fall 2025 Community Grant Support
The Fall 2025 grant cycle represented a major financial injection into the Mid-Ohio Valley, with the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and Regional Affiliates (PACF) announcing $417,871 in total grant support for nonprofit organizations and charitable projects. This substantial funding was directed toward a diverse range of causes, ensuring that vital services across the region could continue and expand. The grants support programs focused on the arts, education, the environment, human services, health, and community development. * Fund for Ravenswood: A significant portion of the funding was directed through the Fund for Ravenswood, which awarded a total of $104,420 through 13 grants to local projects in its area. * Targeted Aid: The strategic distribution of these Community Action Grants is crucial for small and mid-sized nonprofits that often form the backbone of local support systems in Wood County and surrounding areas.2. Record-Breaking Scholarship Awards Empowering 317 Students
Education remains a cornerstone of the PACF's philanthropic efforts, and 2025 saw a remarkable achievement in student support. The foundation awarded 317 scholarships, totaling a massive $667,244. This financial aid, which helps students pursue higher education, was made possible by over 150 unique scholarship funds established by community members. The impact of the PACF scholarships is felt directly by families across the Mid-Ohio Valley, lowering the barrier to college access. * Application Surge: The foundation noted a significant increase in scholarship applications for the 2025 cycle, signaling the growing need and the community’s trust in the PACF as a reliable source of educational funding. * New Funds Established: The commitment to education continued late into the year with the establishment of the New Scholarship Fund in Memory of John Mason Roberts on December 17, 2025, ensuring that future generations will also benefit from the community’s generosity.3. Spring 2025 Community Action Grant Cycle Sees a 135% Increase in Need
The Spring 2025 Community Action Grant Program highlighted the growing demand for charitable funding in the region. The PACF and its Regional Affiliates announced the recipients of this cycle, but the most telling statistic was the volume of requests. Twenty local nonprofits requested funding totaling $270,688, which represents a staggering 135% increase in requests compared to the preceding fall cycle. This surge underscores the vital role the PACF plays as a financial lifeline for organizations facing increased operational costs and community demands. The foundation's ability to respond to this heightened need showcases the strength of the permanent endowments it manages. The next application period for the Community Action Grant Program is scheduled to open on July 15, 2025.4. Strategic Focus on Non-Profit Capacity Building
Beyond simply writing checks, the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation is deeply invested in the long-term sustainability of the non-profit sector in the Mid-Ohio Valley. One of the PACF's key initiatives is working to ensure that nonprofits in the region have the essential tools, resources, knowledge, and support they need to effectively meet the needs of their communities. This capacity building initiative is a strategic effort to move beyond short-term fixes, instead fostering a robust, resilient network of charitable organizations. By strengthening the non-profits themselves, the PACF maximizes the impact of every dollar donated, helping organizations with everything from governance and strategic planning to fundraising and volunteer management.5. Expanding Philanthropic Reach Across Regional Affiliates
The PACF's model of leveraging Regional Affiliates is a critical factor in its success and topical authority. By including the Doddridge County Community Foundation, Ritchie County Community Foundation, and the Little Kanawha Area, the PACF ensures that philanthropic resources are not centralized but are instead distributed where they can have the most localized effect. This decentralized approach allows for a deeper understanding of unique community challenges in areas like Doddridge County and Ritchie County. The foundation’s commitment to strengthening the Mid-Ohio Valley involves supporting a wide array of causes, including: * Human Services * The Arts * Health and Community Development * The Environment * Education This comprehensive approach, driven by the generosity of local donors, ensures that the PACF remains a powerful, permanent source of support for the entire region. The foundation’s success in 2025 is a testament to the power of collective philanthropy and strategic investment in community well-being.
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