Fund for the Arts
Fund for the Arts is a Charleston, West Virginia-based public charity that raises and distributes funds for arts organizations in the Kanawha Valley. Founded in 1981, it provides annual operating support to member arts groups.
Fund for the Arts at a glance
In short: Fund for the Arts gave $175K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in West Virginia. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $175,000
- +12.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +22.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,909
- -7.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,719
- Total assets
- $340,447
- -9.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- West Virginia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fund for the Arts
- Review Cycle
- October 31, 2026.
- Deadline
- October 31, 2026.
- Next open deadline
- October 31, 2026 (Member Arts Organizations Operating Support / Allocations)
- Contact
Mailing address: 803 Quarrier Street Suite 100, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (681) 710-4010
Website: https://fundfortheartswv.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Fund for the Arts
Who Fund for the Arts funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Avampato Discovery Museum - Clay Center ($49K). Together the top 10 received $168K.
Grant Size Distribution
53 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 52 grants of 53 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The operating-support program lists its geographic scope as the Greater Kanawha Valley, West Virginia. In 2024, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in West Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fund for the Arts open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 11 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. How we count
- 82% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+6%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $155K (2023) to $175K (2024). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $175K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Avampato Discovery Museum - Clay Center Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Art and Educational Endeavors | $48,515 |
| West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $33,647 |
| Children's Theatre of Charleston Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $16,238 |
| Charleston Light Opera Guild Inc Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $13,331 |
| Charleston Ballet Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $13,313 |
| West Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $12,719 |
| River City Youth Ballet Elkview, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $8,687 |
| Friends of Old Time Music Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $8,116 |
| Charleston Chamber Music Society Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $6,824 |
| Charleston Civic Chorus Charleston, WV | To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors | $6,824 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $340,447 | $222,033 | $258,858 | $175,000 | 11 | $15,737 |
| 2023 | $374,702 | $279,626 | $266,856 | $155,429 | 9 | $9,827 |
| 2022 | $319,951 | $357,165 | $276,979 | $159,647 | 10 | $9,519 |
| 2021 | $203,527 | $241,753 | $279,638 | $165,445 | 11 | $8,929 |
| 2020 | $226,887 | $237,177 | $273,832 | $164,998 | 12 | $8,896 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission stated in the organization’s 2024 filing is to accumulate resources and funds from donors and allocate them in support of artistic and educational endeavors. The filing says grants support and foster recipients’ artistic endeavors.
The funder’s operating-support program is for member arts organizations. The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra describes its own mission as making great music to enrich and inspire everyone in its region. Children’s Theatre of Charleston says it serves and enriches the community by inspiring young people through theatre.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Fund for the Arts reported 11 grants totaling $175,000. Grant amounts ranged from $6,786 to $48,515, with a median of $12,719.
The largest 2024 grants included $48,515 to Avampato Discovery Museum–Clay Center, $33,647 to West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and $16,238 to Children’s Theatre of Charleston. Other grants included $13,331 to Charleston Light Opera Guild, $13,313 to Charleston Ballet, and $12,719 to West Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra.
The member arts organizations operating-support program is listed as currently open, with a deadline of October 31, 2026. Member organizations apply online each year and report on their activities during the previous year. In October, the Screening and Allocations Committee reviews applications and determines each group’s share of funds available for distribution the following year. After board approval, each group receives one-twelfth of its allocation on the tenth day of each month.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sarah Wright as executive director; Martha Hall as president; Carolee Felber as secretary/treasurer; Stephanie Pulice as vice president–festivals; Brett Staples as vice president–foundations/government; Robin Saber-Pauley as vice president–campaign; Jacob Adams as vice president–allocations; Craig Beeson as immediate past president; Gregg Oxley as chair of the Individual Artist Initiative; and Alexandra Mahaffey as director.
Fund for the Arts is led by Sarah Mangus Wright, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 27 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sarah Mangus Wright
Executive Director
Vice President for Allocations → Assistant Vice President for Allocations, 2021
Assistant Vice President for Allocations → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$39K (2023) → $55K (2024)
Martha Hall
President
Treasurer → Executive Vice President, 2023
Executive Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregg Oxley
Chair - Individual Artist Initiative
Member → Chair - Individual Artist Initiative, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Kuhlman
Director
Vice President of Festivals → Member, 2023
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Weber
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cathryn Harris
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Grace Hurney
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Strawn
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Hussell IV
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Lieberman
Director
Past Executive Director → Vice President for Campaign, 2021
Vice President for Campaign → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nora Myers
Director
Kanawha Players → Member, 2021
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Frazier
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trip King
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Mahaffey
Director
Executive Director → Member, 2023
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Ford
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Thompson
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cade Vogelsong
Director
Member → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cameron Vance
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ej Price
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Stollings
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meagan Hoover
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brett Staples
Vice President - Foundations & Govt
Immediate Past President → Member at Large, 2021
Member at Large → Vice President - Foundations & Govt, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Beeson
Immediate Past President
Executive Vice President → President, 2023
President → Immediate Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carolee Felber
Secretary & Treasurer
Member → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Saber-Pauley
Vice President - Campaign
Member → Vice President - Campaign, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Adams
Vice President - Allocations
New on the 2024 filing
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Pulice
Vice President - Festivals
New on the 2024 filing
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (30)
- Former: Candice Harlow (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Craig Kay (2020–2023) — Vice President for Foundations & Governor
- Former: Jen Pharr (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Jennifer Hughes (2020–2023) — Vice President for Allocations
- Former: Kristen Babiak (2020–2023) — Assistant Vice President for Campaign
- Former: Mallory Burka (2020–2023) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Priya Arora (2020–2023) — Chair Individual Artists I
- Former: Scot D. Jackson (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Stuart Fraizer (2022–2023) — Member
- Former: Stephanie Casey (2023) — Member
- Former: Barry Kadel (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Charles Stebbins (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Claudette Hudson (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Dennise Smith (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Edd McDevitt (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Hilary Malone (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Jill McIntyre (2020–2022) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Lynn Cvechko (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Meg Stallard (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Melissa Orders (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Richard Sinclair (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Virginia Copley (2020–2022) — Member at Large
- Former: Zach Treister (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Kristina Brooks (2022) — Member
- Former: Alex Mahaffey (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Sandra Kinney (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Bert Fredeking (2020) — Vice President for Campaign
- Former: Caleb Akers (2020) — Member
- Former: Edward Armbrect III (2020) — Member
- Former: Lee Diznoff (2020) — Secretary & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $55K, to Sarah Wright (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Fund for the Arts
How much does Fund for the Arts give each year?
Fund for the Arts gave $175K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $155K across 9 grants.
What is Fund for the Arts's typical grant size?
Fund for the Arts's median grant in 2024 was $12,719, and its average grant was $15,909, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Fund for the Arts give grants?
Fund for the Arts gives mostly in West Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charleston, WV (10 grants).
Does Fund for the Arts give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Fund for the Arts's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Support & Foster Artistic Endeavors" (10 grants).
Who are Fund for the Arts's largest grantees?
Fund for the Arts's largest 2024 grantees include Avampato Discovery Museum - Clay Center ($48,515), West Virginia Symphony Orchestra ($33,647) and Children's Theatre of Charleston ($16,238), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fund for the Arts?
Fund for the Arts reported $340K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $222K.
What does Fund for the Arts fund?
The mission stated in the organization’s 2024 filing is to accumulate resources and funds from donors and allocate them in support of artistic and educational endeavors. The filing says grants support and foster recipients’ artistic endeavors. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fund for the Arts?
Fund for the Arts has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check fundfortheartswv.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Fund for the Arts's EIN?
Fund for the Arts's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0614854. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Other open foundation grants in West Virginia
West Virginia Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Fund for the Arts's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Charleston, WV
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation funds community needs through priorities including economic development, education, health, arts and culture, and basic needs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,075 to $828,533, with a median of $30,000, and generally serve Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam counties in West Virginia. Discretionary applications are by invitation after contacting a Program Officer, though some annual opportunities are open calls.
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Total Given
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Maier Foundation Inc
Charleston, WV
The Maier Foundation primarily funds higher education in West Virginia and for West Virginia residents studying elsewhere, plus educationally related cultural and other organizations in the Kanawha Valley. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $500,000, with a median award of $35,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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Total Given
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Truist West Virginia Foundation Inc
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The Truist West Virginia Foundation funds West Virginia nonprofits working in education and workforce development, economic development, arts and culture, and essential community services, with emphasis on measurable, sustainable impact. Recent grants ranged from $1,500 to $40,000, with a median of $5,000. It offers an online application and lists a December 1 deadline.
Assets
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Charles & Mary Fayne Glotfelty Foundation Inc
Charleston, WV
The foundation supports Kanawha County nonprofits addressing homelessness, domestic violence, basic needs, and the arts, as well as scholarships for county residents attending accredited colleges or vocational schools. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $35,500, with a median of $10,000. It provides application guidelines for charitable and educational grants, so requests are not limited to preselected organizations.
Assets
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Bernard H and Blanche E Jacobson Foundation
Charleston, WV
The foundation funds education, arts and culture, animal welfare, relief, health, civic improvement, and youth programs, with a preference for organizations in West Virginia or the Kanawha Valley. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $50,000, with a median of $15,000. Grant-seekers can contact Trustee Christopher J. Winton; no specific application form is required, and trustees generally consider requests quarterly.
Assets
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Total Given
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The Martha Gaines & Russell Wehrle Memorial Foundation
Charleston, WV
The foundation supports charitable organizations in health care, education, food assistance, literacy, and services for people with developmental disabilities, primarily in West Virginia, with some funding in Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
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Total Given
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fund for the Arts funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fund-for-the-arts-morg_f5792f5c49ff40d9aec15bf9573886ef
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_550614854_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fund for the Arts funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fund-for-the-arts-morg_f5792f5c49ff40d9aec15bf9573886ef},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Fund for the Arts's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Fund for the Arts down — hundreds of funders to go?