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Elliot Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $2.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $28,000 (2023) - highly variable year to year
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Approximately $3,000 - $10,000 per award
  • Geographic Focus: Charleston/Kanawha Valley, WV area; also supports organizations in New York and Ohio
  • Application Process: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: 700 Virginia Street, Suite 220, Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: 304-712-3056
EIN: 26-2253829

No website or email publicly available. This is a private family foundation that does not appear to accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The Elliot Foundation Inc was established in 2009 as a private family foundation based in Charleston, West Virginia. The foundation holds assets exceeding $32 million and generates income primarily through investments and contributions, which are distributed to established charities. Led by the Elliot family—John R. Elliot (Director/President), Fonda J. Elliot (Director/Vice President), and Andrew M. Elliot (Director/Secretary/Treasurer)—the foundation has demonstrated a pattern of supporting local charitable organizations, particularly in the Kanawha Valley region. Grant distributions vary significantly by year, ranging from approximately $28,000 to over $2.1 million, suggesting the foundation makes strategic decisions about timing and amounts of charitable disbursements. Recent grants have supported community organizations including the YMCA of Kanawha Valley and YWCA of Charleston.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation without formal grant programs or application cycles. Grants are made at the discretion of the board of directors.

Recent Grant Activity:

  • 2023: 4 grants totaling $28,000
  • 2022: 7 grants totaling $1,443,333
  • 2021: 12 grants totaling $626,043
  • 2024: Disbursed $2,142,080

Known Recent Recipients (2023):

  • YMCA of Kanawha Valley: $10,000
  • YWCA of Charleston: $3,000

Average Grant Size: Approximately $7,000 (though amounts vary widely)

Priority Areas

Based on leadership involvement and known grants, the foundation appears to support:

  • Community Development: YMCAs, YWCAs, and similar community organizations
  • Arts and Culture: Board members serve on West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences
  • Social Services: Food pantries, women's shelters, libraries
  • Emergency Services: Volunteer fire departments
  • Youth Development: Boy Scouts of America and similar organizations

Geographic Focus

Primary focus on the Charleston/Kanawha Valley area of West Virginia, with occasional support for organizations in New York and Ohio.

What They Don't Fund

No explicit exclusions are publicly available, but the foundation appears to focus on established charitable organizations rather than individuals or start-up nonprofits.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (all serve without compensation):

  • John R. Elliot - Director/President
  • Fonda J. Elliot - Director/Vice President
  • Andrew M. Elliot - Director/Secretary/Treasurer

John R. Elliot's Philanthropic Philosophy:

John Elliot, the foundation's president, has a well-documented commitment to community service in West Virginia. He also founded the AMFM Charitable Foundation in 2009, which has donated over $235,000 to various charitable organizations including food pantries, volunteer fire departments, libraries, and women's shelters.

In 2015, Elliot received the YMCA's Spirit of the Valley award for "exemplary community service" in the Kanawha Valley. He has stated: "Your community is only as good as what you can put into it."

Additional Leadership Involvement:

  • Board of directors for City National Bank
  • Board of directors for West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
  • Executive committee of Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences
  • Board involvement with YMCA
  • Board involvement with Boy Scouts of America Buckskin Council
  • United Way involvement

This extensive board involvement suggests the foundation's leadership is deeply connected to Charleston's nonprofit ecosystem and likely becomes aware of funding needs through these relationships.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Elliot Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the board of directors, typically to established charities known to the foundation's leadership.

The foundation operates as a private family foundation, funding established charities through investment-generated income. Grant decisions appear to be made internally by the board without a formal application or review process.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's lack of a public application process, building relationships with the Elliot family and their network is essential:

Leverage Leadership Connections:

  • The Elliot family maintains extensive involvement with Charleston-area nonprofits through board service. Organizations connected to the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, YMCA of Kanawha Valley, Boy Scouts of America Buckskin Council, United Way, and City National Bank may have natural opportunities for connection.

Target Areas of Known Interest:

  • The foundation has demonstrated support for community organizations like the YMCA and YWCA, and John Elliot's AMFM Charitable Foundation supports food pantries, volunteer fire departments, libraries, and women's shelters. Organizations working in these areas may be more likely to be considered.

Focus on Being an Established Organization:

  • The foundation explicitly states it funds "established charities," suggesting newer organizations may need to demonstrate track record and sustainability before being considered.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. As a private foundation making grants at trustee discretion, decisions likely occur on an ad-hoc basis rather than on a fixed schedule.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the lack of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept formal applications, the following factors appear most relevant for organizations hoping to receive support:

Established Track Record: The foundation explicitly states it supports "established charities." Organizations should be able to demonstrate:

  • Years of successful operation
  • Strong community reputation
  • Proven impact in their service area

Charleston/Kanawha Valley Connection: The vast majority of known grants support local organizations. Geographic proximity and demonstrated impact in the local community appear critical.

Alignment with Leadership Interests: John Elliot's board service and the AMFM Charitable Foundation's giving patterns suggest priorities in:

  • Arts and culture (symphony, Clay Center)
  • Youth development (YMCA, Boy Scouts)
  • Basic needs (food pantries, women's shelters)
  • Community infrastructure (libraries, fire departments)

Personal Relationships: As a private family foundation, personal connections and trust appear to drive grantmaking. Organizations with board members or leadership who have relationships with the Elliot family or serve on overlapping boards may have advantages.

Community Service Philosophy: John Elliot's stated belief that "Your community is only as good as what you can put into it" suggests the foundation values organizations that strengthen community fabric and demonstrate reciprocal commitment to Charleston's wellbeing.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals. Traditional grant writing will not be effective.
  • Relationship-Driven: Focus on building authentic relationships with the Elliot family and their network rather than submitting proposals.
  • Establish Your Organization First: The foundation supports "established charities"—newer organizations should focus on building track record before seeking support.
  • Think Local: While the foundation occasionally supports organizations outside West Virginia, Charleston/Kanawha Valley organizations appear to be the primary focus.
  • Connect Through Shared Networks: Organizations connected to the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Clay Center, YMCA, United Way, or Boy Scouts may have natural networking opportunities.
  • Variable Funding Levels: The foundation's annual giving fluctuates dramatically (from $28,000 to over $2 million), suggesting large capital or special projects may occasionally receive support alongside smaller annual grants.
  • Community-Oriented Mission: Align with the Elliot family's demonstrated commitment to strengthening community infrastructure, arts, youth development, and basic human services.

References

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