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Preservati Family Charitable Tr Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.9M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,876,033 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $55,005,903
  • Grant Range: Varies (specific amounts not publicly disclosed)
  • Geographic Focus: Multi-state (West Virginia, Nevada, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia)
  • Application Process: No public application process
  • Number of Grants: 12 awards (2024)

Contact Details

Address: P.O. Box 103, Princeton, WV 24740-0103
Phone: 304-425-8195
Physical Location: 1460 East Main Street, Princeton, WV 24740
EIN: 26-6679325

Overview

The Preservati Family Charitable Trust Foundation was established in 2008 as a private independent foundation in West Virginia. With total assets exceeding $55 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $2.9 million, the foundation represents a significant philanthropic presence across multiple states. The foundation is managed by the Preservati family, with strong connections to West Virginia's business and energy sectors. The foundation's funding approach emphasizes support for higher education institutions, Catholic religious organizations, and volunteer fire departments, while also making grants to organizations in Las Vegas, Nevada. As a private family foundation, it operates primarily through trustee discretion rather than a formal public application process.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with set application cycles. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on publicly available information, the foundation focuses its grantmaking on:

  • Higher Education: Support for colleges and universities
  • Religious Organizations: Grants to Catholic churches and religious institutions
  • Emergency Services: Support for volunteer fire departments
  • Community Development: Various charitable causes across multiple states

Geographic Focus

The foundation supports organizations across multiple states including:

  • West Virginia (Princeton, Bluefield, Charleston)
  • Nevada (Las Vegas area)
  • Florida
  • Kentucky
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private family foundation, funding decisions are made at trustee discretion based on family interests and charitable priorities.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by three family trustees, all of whom serve without compensation:

  • Nicholas S. Preservati - Deputy Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Commerce and Director of the West Virginia Office of Energy. He has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry and holds a Master of Science Degree in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University (2021), a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law – Chicago (1997), and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame (1994). He comes from a family with generational involvement in the energy industry.

  • Richard G. Preservati - Family trustee

  • Karen Wimmer - Family trustee and registered agent for the foundation

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic priorities and relationships. The foundation does not maintain a website, online portal, or published application guidelines.

Grants appear to be made to organizations with which the trustees have existing relationships or knowledge, rather than through an open solicitation process.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no formal application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to the absence of a public application process. In 2024, the foundation made 12 grants from its annual charitable disbursements of approximately $2.9 million.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no formal application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation and absence of a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that have received funding typically have:

  • Pre-existing relationships with the Preservati family or trustees
  • Alignment with the foundation's core interests (higher education, Catholic institutions, volunteer fire departments)
  • Operations in geographic areas where the family has connections (particularly West Virginia and Nevada)
  • Strong reputation and demonstrated impact in their respective fields

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation without a public application process - unsolicited proposals are unlikely to be successful
  • The foundation focuses on higher education, Catholic religious organizations, and volunteer fire departments
  • Geographic priorities include West Virginia (particularly the Princeton area) and Las Vegas, Nevada
  • With only 12 grants made in 2024 from nearly $2.9 million in disbursements, individual grant amounts may be substantial
  • The foundation has grown significantly, with assets increasing from approximately $10.5 million in 2011 to over $55 million in 2024
  • All three trustees serve without compensation, indicating this is a purely philanthropic endeavor
  • Organizations seeking funding would need to build relationships with the trustees or have existing connections to the Preservati family
  • The foundation's leadership includes individuals with significant experience in energy, law, and public policy

References

  1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Preservati Family Charitable Tr Foundation (EIN 26-6679325). Accessed January 8, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/266679325

  2. Candid Foundation Directory - Preservati Family Char Trust Foundation profile. Accessed January 8, 2026. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=PRES348

  3. Spilman Law - Nicholas S. Preservati professional profile. Accessed January 8, 2026. https://www.spilmanlaw.com/professional/preservati-nicholas-s/

  4. WV MetroNews - "New West Virginia Office of Energy director brings plenty of experience in the industry." July 15, 2023. Accessed January 8, 2026.

  5. OpenCorporates - The Preservati Family Charitable Trust Foundation (West Virginia registration 273666). Accessed January 8, 2026. https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_wv/273666

  6. Cause IQ - Preservati Family Charitable Trust Foundation profile. Accessed January 8, 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/preservati-family-charitable-tr-foundation,266679325/

  7. BIG Database - US Foundation Summary for Preservati Family Charitable Trust Foundation. Accessed January 8, 2026.

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