Tucker Community Foundation (TCF) held its first Grants Reception November 13 at Canaan Valley Institute. The evening provided an opportunity for fund advisors to meet with those who are benefitting from endowments they created. Each grant recipient presented a short summary of the program or project funded – raising awareness and providing an opportunity to network with others from surrounding communities and counties.
President David Cooper welcomed attendees and introduced Rob Burns, Executive Director. Cooper has served as President of the organizations since 2009. Burns stated, “This year TCF celebrated its 25th Anniversary and reached a new milestone. In 1990, the Foundation distributed its first grant and scholarship awards totaling $2,000. This year for the first time ever, awards will exceed $1 million.
For every dollar granted, organizations were able to leverage, on average $4-$5. The Foundation commends Endowed Fund Advisors and donors for their substantial support and investment in the communities we serve”.
Annual income produced from endowments provide perpetual funding for programs and projects determined by the fund advisor. Once the endowment is established, it can receive donations of any amount from the general public. The Foundation currently manages more than one hundred funds that serve an eight county region. The funds are pooled for investment purposes, maximizing the return and keeping administrative fees low.
Grant Recipients attending the reception included Jim Watson, WVU Foundation; Melissa Brown and Nevaeh Nichols, Girl Scout Troop 4091; Dorothy Carr, Katherine Pine and Rev. Jeff Anderson, Helping Hand Food Pantry; Rob Masten, Tucker Valley Middle School; Lara Wilson, Garrett County Memorial Hospital; David Begg, Challenged Athletes of WV; Emily Wilson-Hauger, New Historic Thomas; Audrey Stefenson, ArtSpring; Daniel Hobbs, Tucker County Development Authority; Lois Nelson, Cortland Foundation; April Miller, Tucker FRN and Town of Hendricks; Charlie Waters, Tucker County High School; Cheryl DeBerry*, Garrett County Barn Quilt Trail; and Veronica Staron, Blackwater Ministerial Association. Endowed Fund Advisors attending: Jim*& Loretta Cooper, Cooper Family Fund; Sarah Fletcher, Thompson Family Fund and Kaemmerling Fund; Scott and TCF Development Director, Diane Hinkle, Falling Green Fund; Mariwyn Smith, McClain Fund and George and Mariwyn Smith Donor-Advised Fund; Priscilla Flanagan, Billie Armstrong and Woody Nestor Funds.
In addition to TCF Directors *previously listed, Directors Marvin “Bud” Parsons, Jessica Scowcroft, Diane Beall, Beth Clevenger and Nancy Dotson were also in attendance along with David Parker, Office Manager. Food was provided by White Grass Café.
Tucker Community Foundation serves Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker County, West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland. To learn more about creating an endowed fund call the TCF Development Office at 304-259-5008.
