Ann Sonneborn Charitable Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Estimated $2M+ (based on recent major grants)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $300,000 - $2,000,000 (based on known grants)
• Geographic Focus: Ohio Valley region, particularly Wheeling, WV and surrounding areas

Contact Details

Administrator: WesBanco Trust and Investment Services
Location: Wheeling, WV
Legal Counsel: James C. Gardill, Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer

The foundation has established policies and procedures for taking funding applications with the assistance of WesBanco Trust and Investment Services. Prospective applicants should contact WesBanco Trust and Investment Services directly to inquire about the application process.

Overview

The Ann Sonneborn Charitable Foundation was created through the Last Will and Testament of Ann Sonneborn, a West Virginia native, to support programs for women and children. Administered by WesBanco Trust and Investment Services, the foundation makes annual donations for the benefit of the community throughout the Ohio Valley region. The foundation has been described as having "donated countless funds to deserving organizations throughout the Ohio Valley." Attorney James C. Gardill assisted in qualifying the trust as a perpetual foundation. The foundation is structured as a private foundation with two principal purposes: to serve women and children and to provide assistance and support to them and their community. Recent major donations include a $2 million gift to establish the Robert Sonneborn Family WVU Medicine Children's Outpatient Center in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an annual giving cycle with established policies and procedures for funding applications. While specific program names and fixed grant amounts are not publicly defined, the foundation has demonstrated capacity for both substantial capital gifts and program support grants.

Known Grant Amounts:

• Capital grants: $300,000 - $2,000,000
• Program support: Amount varies

Application methods and deadlines are managed through WesBanco Trust and Investment Services.

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

• Women's health services
• Children's healthcare and wellness
• Pediatric medical facilities
• Community health programs

Demonstrated Funding Areas:

• Primary medical and dental care for women
• Breast and cervical screenings
• Family planning services
• Mental health services
• Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies
• Pediatric outpatient services
• Children's rehabilitation services

Supported Organizations Include:

• WVU Medicine Children's Outpatient Center
• Wheeling Health Right
• Easterseals

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. However, given the foundation's established focus, grants appear to be limited to organizations serving women and children in the Ohio Valley region, particularly in healthcare and related services.

Governance and Leadership

Administrator: WesBanco Trust and Investment Services oversees the foundation's operations and grant application process.

Legal Counsel: James C. Gardill (Phillips, Gardill, Kaiser & Altmeyer) serves as counsel for the Sonneborn Family Foundation at WesBanco. Gardill assisted in qualifying the trust as a perpetual foundation and has been involved in major grant announcements.

Quote from Leadership: Attorney James C. Gardill noted regarding a donation to WVU Medicine that it "fits into both purposes" of the fund and seeks to provide "long-term benefits" to the valley.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Ann Sonneborn Charitable Foundation has established policies and procedures for taking funding applications with the assistance of WesBanco Trust and Investment Services. Prospective applicants should contact WesBanco Trust and Investment Services directly to inquire about the application process and requirements.

Contact: WesBanco Trust and Investment Services, Wheeling, WV

The foundation makes annual donations for the benefit of the community, suggesting a yearly review and decision-making cycle.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Given that the foundation operates on an annual giving cycle, applicants should anticipate that review and decision processes may align with this schedule.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volume data are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history and stated mission, the following factors appear important for successful applications:

Alignment with Core Mission: Projects must clearly serve women and/or children in the Ohio Valley region. According to Attorney James C. Gardill, successful grants "fit into both purposes" of the fund (serving women and children, and providing community support).

Long-Term Community Impact: The foundation seeks to provide "long-term benefits" to the valley, suggesting preference for sustainable programs or capital projects with lasting effects.

Healthcare Focus: Recent grants demonstrate strong preference for healthcare services, particularly:

• Primary care and preventive services for women
• Pediatric healthcare facilities and services
• Rehabilitation services for children with developmental needs

Geographic Priority: The foundation has focused its giving on the Ohio Valley region, particularly organizations based in or serving the Wheeling, WV area.

Capacity for Impact: Recent grants have supported organizations with demonstrated ability to serve large populations (e.g., Wheeling Health Right's goal to assist over 1,600 women with one grant).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Women and Children Focus is Essential: All successful grants align with the foundation's dual purpose of serving women and children and providing community support. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the project serves these populations.

• Healthcare Projects Are Prioritized: The foundation has shown strong preference for healthcare initiatives, including primary care, dental services, mental health, and pediatric specialties.

• Long-Term Impact Matters: Emphasize the lasting community benefits of your project, as the foundation seeks to provide "long-term benefits" to the Ohio Valley region.

• Regional Focus: Geographic proximity to Wheeling, WV and the Ohio Valley region appears important. Projects serving this area are more likely to receive consideration.

• Contact WesBanco Early: Since WesBanco Trust and Investment Services administers the application process, early outreach to understand current priorities and application requirements is advisable.

• Major Capital Support Available: The foundation has capacity for substantial gifts ($2 million range), suggesting it can support significant capital projects alongside program grants.

• Annual Giving Cycle: Plan applications around the foundation's annual giving schedule to ensure timely consideration.

References

• WVU Medicine. "Ann Sonneborn Charitable Foundation boosts WVU Medicine Pediatrics Center." https://wvumedicine.org/news-feed/news-article/WVU-Medicine/Wheeling-Hospital/ann-sonneborn-charitable-foundation-boosts-wvu-medicine-pediatrics-center/

• The Intelligencer. "Sonneborn Foundation Donates $2 Million Toward Future WVU Medicine Children's Outpatient Center in Wheeling." November 2024. https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/top-headlines/2024/11/sonneborn-foundation-donates-2-million-toward-future-wvu-medicine-childrens-outpatient-center-in-wheeling/

• The Times Leader. "Milestone donation begins progress towards new pediatrics center." February 2024. https://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/community/2024/02/milestone-donation-begins-progress-towards-new-pediatrics-center/

• Wheeling Health Right. "Wheeling Health Right Receives Impactful Grant for Women's Health Services." https://www.wheelinghealthright.com/wheeling-health-right-receives-impactful-grant-womens-health-services/

• Cause IQ. Foundation profile data. https://www.causeiq.com/directory/foundations-list/west-virginia-state/

All sources accessed January 2026.