The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is the largest community foundation in West Virginia and Central Appalachia. Based in Charleston, West Virginia, the Foundation was created in 1962 by and for the people of the Greater Kanawha Valley area. It operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity and serves as a philanthropic leader that helps donors, nonprofits, and collaborative partners strengthen their community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$348.4M
+7.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$13.8M
+311.3% YoY
Grant Count
239
+136.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$58K
+73.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is a philanthropic leader that helps donors, nonprofits, and other collaborative partners strengthen our community so all of the people and places we serve have the opportunity to thrive.
Vision: A forward-thinking and closely connected community that fearlessly works together to promote the prosperity of all.
The Foundation makes thoughtful and proactive investments that grow multiple forms of wealth necessary for community thriving, including individual, intellectual, social, cultural, political, natural, built, and financial assets.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Health
- Arts
- Basic needs
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
Grantmaking
Grant Range
of $3,778 to $55,000 reported in some sources.
Review Cycle
s with a typical decision time of three months.
Invitation Only
** Applications are by invitation only. Prospective applicants must speak with a Program Officer before applying. The Foundation operates on quarterly review cycles with a typical decision time of three months.
Ready to take the next step with The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves a six-county region in West Virginia:
- Kanawha
- Putnam
- Boone
- Clay
- Lincoln
- Fayette
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $348,418,905 (2024)
Total Revenues: $23,071,613 (2024)
Total Expenses: $19,479,952 (2024)
Total Giving: $15,972,376 (2024)
Staff: 16 employees (2024)
Historical Assets: $323 million (2023)
Historical Revenue: $26.8 million (2023)
Historical Expenses: $17.2 million (2023)
Total Liabilities: $10.4 million (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $348,418,905 | $323,222,194 | $289,541,462 |
| Revenue | $23,071,613 | $26,847,120 | $30,306,337 |
| Expenses | $19,479,952 | $17,235,516 | $15,580,560 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $18,161,352 | $9,765,139 | $8,666,492 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include West Virginia Symphony Orchestra ($410,089), West Virginia University Foundation Inc ($232,400), West Virginia Health Right Inc ($192,413).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS CHARLESTON, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $46,833 |
| CHARLESTON BALLET INC CHARLESTON, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $41,844 |
| DAYMARK INC CHARLESTON, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $22,500 |
| WEST VIRGINIA HEALTH RIGHT INC CHARLESTON, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $192,413 |
| ACTIVE SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA BECKLEY, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| KANAWHA COUNTY COMMISSION CHARLESTON, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $24,500 |
| FAMILYCARE SCOTT DEPOT, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $79,600 |
| WEST VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CHARLESTON, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $410,089 |
| MARSHALL UNIVERSITY HUNTINGTON, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $49,000 |
| HEART AND HAND OUTREACH MINISTRIES INC SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $23,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Becky Ceperley
Program Leadership:
- Stephanie Hyre, Chief Program Officer
- Megan Simpson, Program Director
- Derek Vance, Program Officer
- Todd Dorcas, Program Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT O ORDERS | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DICKINSON GOULD | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DR JASON CASTLE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DEBRA SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DALE CLOWSER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SARAH ELLIS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LEAH GLOVER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DEBBIE SINK | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| TED ARMBRECHT III | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DR KIMBERLY BECHER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| WILL CARTER | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| GEORGETTE GEORGE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANDY YOUNG | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE FOSTER | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 40 | $235,936 |
| KRISTIN MOUNTS | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $161,100 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation announced 2025 first quarter discretionary grants and 2024 fourth quarter discretionary grants. Recent grant announcements highlight the Foundation's continued commitment to supporting nonprofits across education, health, arts, and basic needs in the Greater Kanawha Valley region. The Foundation celebrated its 60th year anniversary in 2022.
Narrative Change Grantmaking - The Greater Kanawha Valley ...Contact Information
Address: 178 Summers Street, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-346-3620
Email: web@tgkvf.org or tgkvf@gkvf.org
Website: tgkvf.org
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since April 1965; EIN: 55-6024430
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation is a philanthropic leader that helps donors, nonprofits, and other collaborative partners strengthen our community so all of the people and places we serve have the opportunity to thrive. **Vision:** A forward-thinking and closely connected community that fearlessly works together to promote the prosperity of all. The Foundation makes thoughtful and proactive investments that grow multiple forms of wealth necessary for community thriving, inclu…
How do I apply for a grant from The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,075 to $828,533, with a grant range of $3,778 to $55,000 reported in some sources. **Annual Giving:** The Foundation distributes over $13 million annually in grants and scholarships. Since its founding, it has awarded more than $183 million in grants. **Application Process:** Applications are by invitation only. Prospective applicants must speak with a Program Officer before applying. The Foundation operates on quarterly review cycles with a typic…
Where does The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation make grants?
The Foundation serves a six-county region in West Virginia: • Kanawha • Putnam • Boone • Clay • Lincoln • Fayette
What size grants does The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation award?
In 2024, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation awarded 239 grants totaling $13.8M — an average of about $58K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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