Community Foundation For The Ohio Valley Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3,312,694 (2023)
• Success Rate: 35% (based on 2026 Community Impact Grants)
• Decision Time: Varies by program
• Grant Range: $2,000 - $20,000
• Geographic Focus: Eight-county region (WV: Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Tyler, Wetzel; OH: Belmont, Jefferson)

Contact Details

Website: www.cfov.org
Phone: 304-242-3144
Email: info@cfov.org
Grant Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfov
Grant Assistance: Debbie at debbie@cfov.org

Overview

Since 1972, the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) has connected donors who care with causes that matter by making grants to organizations working to improve the quality of life in the Upper Ohio Valley. With over $34 million in assets and comprising 240 individual charitable funds, the Foundation distributed more than $3.3 million in grants during 2023. Under the leadership of Executive Director Susie Nelson, who has served since 2007, the Foundation has tripled its annual grantmaking from $1 million to $3 million. In 2025, CFOV was named Catholic Charities' Charity in Action Award winner in recognition of its community impact. The Foundation serves a multi-county region spanning both West Virginia and Ohio, addressing needs from health centers to community schools, arts programs to disaster relief, and violence prevention to youth development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants (Annual)

• $2,000 - $7,500 typically
• Application: Online portal, competitive process
• Focus areas change annually based on community needs

River Valley Health Fund (Annual)

• $5,000 - $10,000 per organization
• Application: Online portal, June-July period
• Focus: Health and well-being initiatives

Belmont County Enrichment Fund

• Varies by project
• Application: Online portal
• Focus: Projects benefiting Belmont County, Ohio

Food Security Fund

• Up to $5,000 per grant
• Application: February 2 - March 10 annually
• Focus: Food pantry infrastructure improvements

Field of Interest Funds

• Varies based on donor specifications
• Application: Through grant portal for relevant funds
• Focus: Specific fields designated by donors

Priority Areas

• Youth Development (recreation, mentoring, education, leadership)
• Health and Wellness (mental health, substance abuse, food security)
• Family Support (crisis intervention, relatives as parents programs)
• Economic Mobility (workforce development, ALICE household support)
• Community Strengthening (arts, disaster relief, violence prevention)

What They Don't Fund

• Continuation of projects previously funded by other sources
• Routine responsibilities of educators
• Multi-year projects
• Conference fees, stipends, transportation
• Meals and refreshments (in educational grants)
• Organizations outside the eight-county service area

Governance and Leadership

Susie Nelson, Executive Director (Since 2007)

• Tripled annual grantmaking from $1 million to $3 million
• Increased Foundation assets by more than 50%
• Quote: "The Community Foundation's Community Impact Grants allow us to respond directly to what our communities need most."

Board of Directors includes community leaders from business, nonprofit, and faith sectors, with recent additions of Rev. Dr. Darrell W. Cummings, Rachel Keeney, and Jeffrey Kessler in 2024.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications submitted through online grant portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfov

Eligibility:

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations
• Faith-based organizations
• Government entities (libraries, schools)
• Must serve the eight-county region

Decision Timeline

• Community Impact Grants: Apply late fall/early winter, awards in late winter/early spring
• River Valley Health Fund: Apply June-July, awards in late summer
• Food Security Fund: Apply February 2 - March 10
• Grant reports due 12 months from funding date

Success Rates

Community Impact Grants 2026: 31 applications, 11 funded (35% success rate)

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent grant cycles. Food Security Fund restricts to one application per 12-month period.

Application Success Factors

• Align with annual focus areas - Community Impact Fund priorities change yearly based on community needs
• Demonstrate clear community need - Successful projects address specific gaps in services
• Submit early - Foundation explicitly advises against waiting until deadline day
• Choose the right program - Match your project to the most appropriate fund (health, food security, Belmont County, etc.)
• Include measurable outcomes - Foundation requires reports 12 months after funding
• Stay within grant ranges - Most Community Impact grants are $7,000-$7,500
• One application per cycle - Submit only your strongest request per organization

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Multiple funding opportunities available - With 240+ funds, organizations may find several relevant programs throughout the year
• 35% success rate requires strong applications - Clear alignment with focus areas and demonstrated need are essential
• Annual priorities shift - Stay informed about changing Community Impact Grant focus areas each year
• Geographic specificity offers opportunities - County-specific funds like Belmont County Enrichment may have less competition
• Growing foundation means expanding opportunities - Tripled grantmaking under current leadership signals increasing support
• Technical assistance available - Contact Debbie for application help, but don't wait until deadline day
• Strategic timing possible - Different programs have different deadlines, allowing multiple applications across the year

References

• Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley official website: https://cfov.org/ (Accessed February 2026)
• CFOV Grantseekers Page: https://cfov.org/nonprofits/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Community Impact Fund Information: https://cfov.org/community-impact-grant-process/ (Accessed February 2026)
• Food Security Fund Information: https://cfov.org/food-security-fund/ (Accessed February 2026)
• River Valley Health Fund Information: https://cfov.org/river-valley-health-fund/ (Accessed February 2026)
• "Nonprofits awarded more than $70K from CFOV," The Times Leader, February 2026
• "Organizations share in $123K in grants from River Valley Health Fund," The Times Leader, September 2025
• Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, GuideStar Profile, EIN 31-0908698
• "Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley named Catholic Charities' 2025 Charity in Action Award winner," The Herald Star, January 2025