November 15, 2016
During November 12-18, Your Community Foundation, Inc. (YCF) and more than 780 other community foundations across the country will celebrate Community Foundation Week. This week provides foundations with an opportunity to share and reflect on stories of local philanthropists and how their contributions impact the community.
“As we celebrate Community Foundation Week, Your Community Foundation thanks our donors for their generosity and investment in north central West Virginia. One fund that we would like to highlight this week is the Taylor County Fund, which was opened seven years ago,” said Patty Showers Ryan, YCF President.
Since its inception in 2009, several Taylor County residents have contributed to this fund. Through the years, the fund has awarded $3,000 to nine nonprofit organizations.
In 2016, the Taylor County Fund awarded grants to two nonprofit organizations. The Anna Jarvis Elementary Backpack Program received $500. This program provides children living in poverty with a backpack of nutritional meals to take home over the weekend so that they may have food when school is not in session. The second award went to the First Baptist Church Food Pantry for $500. The pantry, that serves individuals and families in need of food assistance, is the only one that is open Monday-Friday in Taylor County.
Other organizations that have been funded in the past include: The Bread of Life, Taylor County 4-H Leaders, Blueville Church of Christ, Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council, Boy Scouts of America Troop 4158, Bailey Memorial Church, and the Grafton City Hospital Auxiliary.
Taylor County resident Sally Harman is knowledgeable about the fund and learned about community foundations in various West Virginia counties from newspaper articles.
“I know some family members and friends who have established their own funds with community foundations. I like that anyone can make contributions to the fund, in any amount, which will help the fund grow over time,” said Harman.
This story—alongside the countless others like it—demonstrates the tremendous impact and unique importance of community foundations in this country. Though you may not yet know your local community foundation, you’ve likely felt its impact. A gift to your local community foundation is an investment in the future of your community. The funds will go to work immediately supporting vital services, but they will also provide sustained support for years to come.