It’s been another busy year for the Tucker Community Foundation with activity emanating from all corners of our eight county service area: distribution of our 2015 Annual Report, hosting our signature fund raising event Uncle Sam’s Birthday Party, and gearing up for Run For It, just to name a few. Amidst all of that, the WV Flood Recovery drive has taken center stage.
We know firsthand that philanthropy has an important role in WV flood recovery. Without the flood of ’85, Tucker Community Foundation may have never gotten off the ground. The June 2016 flood spared most of our service area but shed a glaring light on the vulnerabilities of communities statewide. Recovery will take years and it’s yet to be determined what that recovery will look like. Much will depend on the good will of donors. Checks made payable to TCF – WV VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) support flood recovery efforts. We appreciate those who have mailed or dropped off donations. That effort will be ongoing; every dollar makes a difference in someone’s life.
If you are on our mailing list, we hope you are enjoying the Annual Report that was mailed in July. For others in our service area, the newspaper insert version of that same report is scheduled to run in local newspapers any day now. We are fortunate to benefit from the exceptional talents of Joel Wolpert, a young man from Barbour County whose captivating photography and unique story-telling abilities document the “twist” of local philanthropy.
Uncle Sam’s Birthday Party (USBP), held during the July 4 holiday, raised more than $11,000 from ticket sales and raffles. The proceeds provide unrestricted grant and scholarship support and help build the USBP Fund, a permanent endowment for the same purpose.
Tucker Boulder Park, located close to what is now the Rt. 93 (Corridor H) intersection in Davis, will provide a unique recreational asset for Tucker County, the region and the state. Design work on the trail connector phase is nearing completion and we hope dirt moves before snow flies. The contract for installation of the first two boulders will be awarded early September. A grant for the third and final boulder has been filed and fundraising is underway to reach the $25,000 needed to complete the project. Three years of grant writing and fundraising that captured donor support from all over the map will soon bring new life to a tiny parcel of property beside the Davis Ball Field. The public climbing park is designed for all ages and abilities.
Celebrating our 10th year of the Run F or It program, the 2016 race will host the largest roster in race history with 64 teams lining up 11am, Sept. 24 in front of the Davis Fire Hall to walk and run for causes they are passionate about. One statewide team, one Grant County, three regional, three Garrett County, three Pocahontas County, five Barbour County, eight Randolph County, eleven Preston County and twenty-nine Tucker County teams are all vying for more than $86,000 in cash awards to donate to their cause. Thanks to a sponsorship from Cortland Acres & Rehab, there are new award categories for those who are 80+. Racers can sign up for any team online at www.raceroster.com/8610 or in person at the TCF Development Office. Race registration closes 9:30am on race day.
Grants totaling $75,000 will be awarded this fall to benefit projects and programs around the region. The grant cycle opened August 1 and continues through mid-September. Applications can be downloaded at www.tuckerfoundation.net/endowed-funds/grants or picked up the TCF Development Office in Davis or the main office in Parsons. Applicants should use the mini-grant application for requests under $500. All applications are due (postmarked) by 4pm Friday, September 16.
The Youth Philanthropy Initiative returns this fall with an expanded program in area schools. Under the direction of Sandra Frank, TCF Development Assistant, Davis Thomas Elementary Middle School, Mountain Laurel Learning Cooperative, and the Aurora School in Preston County are incorporating a curriculum that teaches students the meaning, value, and different forms of local philanthropy. The grant process, and its value to non-profit organizations, is explained. Students get firsthand experience in grant writing and identifying projects within the school that can benefit from grant support. Using a simple grant score sheet, students will then determine the project or program to receive the grant.
Our neighbors to the north are engaged in a strong effort to create additional resources for their county. Activity from donors who support Preston County endowments and Preston County Run For It teams is impressive. An active committee of engaged residents is advocating and educating folks about the Preston Community Fund, an endowment that provides unrestricted grant support for Preston County causes. TCF staff plan to work from Preston County two – three days a month starting this fall.
Foundation staff and volunteers who assist us in the office welcome your visits and phone calls. We invite you to share your “twist” on local philanthropy; be part of the TCF story and help secure your community’s future. Our service area includes Barbour, Grant, Mineral, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph and Tucker counties in West Virginia and Garrett County, Maryland. For information call the Parsons office at 304-478-2930 or the TCF Development Office in Davis at 304-259-5008.
