The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is a public charity based in Charleston, an individual recipient Created in 1962, it helps donors, nonprofits, and collaborative partners strengthen the community, and provides grants to organizations serving community needs.
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation at a glance
In short: The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation gave $13.8M across 239 grants in 2024 (avg $58K), mostly in West Virginia. 25% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $13,776,797
- +311.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 239
- +136.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $57,644
- +73.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $348,418,905
- +7.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (60 of 238, 2024)
- Primary geography
- West Virginia (96% 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 The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
Discretionary applicants begin by contacting a Program Officer to discuss a project. New projects submit a Project Summary form before a draft application; applications are by invitation. The Foundation says this process generally takes several months. Applicants invited to proceed receive a link to apply and at least four weeks to prepare a draft. The Foundation also has open-call opportunities, including African American Philanthropy in Action, the C.C. Dickinson Family Giving Circle, and James F.B. Peyton; these typically open once a year. The Foundation advises applicants to request no more than 25% of their organization’s annual operating budget, does not typically fund 100% of a project, and requires some form of applicant match, in-kind or cash. Grantees must submit a final report one year after receiving grant funds, outlining how the funds were spent; receipts may be requested as backup.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 3041, Charleston, WV 25331
Phone: (304) 346-3620
Website: https://tgkvf.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 The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Who The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Children's Home Society of West Virginia Inc ($829K). Together the top 10 received $4.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
952 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 670 grants of 952 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation identifies Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam counties in an individual recipient as its service area for its grantmaking priorities and most special initiatives. In 2024, 96% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in an individual recipient
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 239 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 60 of 238 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $35K repeat.
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 $3.3M (2023) to $13.8M (2024). In 2024 it made 239 grants totaling $13.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Home Society of West Virginia Inc Lewisburg, WV | General Support | $828,533 |
| University of Charleston Charleston, WV | General Support | $670,293 |
| The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Charleston, WV | General Support | $628,918 |
| Camc Foundation Inc Charleston, WV | General Support | $616,794 |
| Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center Clay, WV | General Support | $480,000 |
| West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Charleston, WV | General Support | $410,089 |
| West Virginia Wesleyan College Beckley, WV | General Support | $257,375 |
| The Lewisburg Foundation Inc Clay, WV | General Support | $250,000 |
| West Virginia Civic Leadership Initiative Inc Charleston, WV | General Support | $250,000 |
| The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia Charleston, WV | General Support | $233,980 |
Ready to take the next step with The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $348,418,905 | $23,071,613 | $19,479,952 | $13,776,797 | 239 | $18,161,352 |
| 2023 | $323,222,194 | $26,847,120 | $17,235,516 | $3,349,644 | 101 | $9,765,139 |
| 2022 | $289,541,462 | $30,306,337 | $15,580,560 | $10,775,591 | 200 | $8,666,492 |
| 2021 | $329,426,372 | $27,972,481 | $15,314,704 | $11,447,467 | 201 | $22,584,139 |
| 2020 | $304,704,868 | $15,850,017 | $17,027,285 | $11,984,910 | 211 | $12,139,563 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to help donors, nonprofits, and other collaborative partners strengthen the community so that the people and places it serves have the opportunity to thrive. It describes itself as a community trust that accepts contributions, administers trusts, and distributes income for the benefit of people in the Kanawha Valley area.
Its priority areas include Community Economic Development, Education, Health, Arts & Culture, and Basic Needs. Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees: CAMC Foundation says its mission is to support Charleston Area Medical Center’s health services and regional quality of life; an individual recipient Symphony Orchestra says it makes music to enrich and inspire people in the region; and an individual recipient Health Right says it provides medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and health education services to uninsured and underinsured West Virginians.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 239 grants totaling $13,776,797. Individual grants ranged from $5,075 to $828,533, with a median of $30,000. Among the largest were $828,533 to Children’s Home Society of an individual recipient, $670,293 to University of Charleston, $616,794 to CAMC Foundation, $480,000 to Greenbrier Valley Aquatic Center, and $410,089 to an individual recipient Symphony Orchestra. The listed purposes for these grants were general support.
For discretionary programs, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or government entity serving one or more of the six counties in the Foundation’s service area. The Foundation also identifies public schools as eligible for its two discretionary tracks, and says applicants must demonstrate the ability to build community wealth and have an audit, financial review, or financial compilation. Its discretionary tracks are Proactive Collaborative Grants in Education, Health, and Civic Engagement & Community Building, and Responsive Grants in Basic Needs or Arts & Culture.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Robert O Orders, chair; Dickinson Gould, vice chair; Debbie Sink, treasurer; and trustees Dr Jason Castle, Debra Sullivan, Dale Clowser, Sarah Ellis, Leah Glover, Ted Armbrecht III, and Dr Kimberly Becher.
The Foundation’s program team includes Stephanie Hyre, Chief Program Officer; Megan Simpson, Program Director; Todd Dorcas, Program Officer; Derek Vance, Program Officer; and Candace Krell, Grants Manager.
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is led by Michelle Foster, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle Foster
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$199K (2020) → $236K (2024)
Robert O. Orders
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debra Sullivan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Georgette George
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Castle
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Armbrecht III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dale Clowser
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andy Young
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leah Glover
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Ellis
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Becher
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Mounts
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$149K (2020) → $161K (2024)
Dickinson Gould
Vice Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Will Carter
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debbie Sink
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Susan Shumate (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Todd Mount (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Charles W. Loeb Jr. (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Sean Mayberry (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Monika Jaensson (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Sandra Thomas (2020) — Trustee
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 $236K, to Michelle Foster (President and CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
How much does The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation give each year?
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation gave $13.8M across 239 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.3M across 101 grants.
What is The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's typical grant size?
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $57,644, across 239 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation that year got $31K on average.
Where does The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation give grants?
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation gives mostly in West Virginia: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Charleston, WV (111 grants), Lewisburg, WV (15 grants), Huntington, WV (9 grants) and Madison, WV (7 grants).
Does The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (239 of 239) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's largest grantees?
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Children's Home Society of West Virginia Inc ($828,533), University of Charleston ($670,293) and The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation ($628,918), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation?
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation reported $348.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $23.1M.
What does The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to help donors, nonprofits, and other collaborative partners strengthen the community so that the people and places it serves have the opportunity to thrive. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation?
Discretionary applicants begin by contacting a Program Officer to discuss a project. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's EIN?
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-6024430. 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 May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-greater-kanawha-valley-foundation-morg_59b68863829b40f49cef531d6f6c9f6f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_556024430_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-greater-kanawha-valley-foundation-morg_59b68863829b40f49cef531d6f6c9f6f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation'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.
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