Pallottine Foundation of Huntington West Virginia

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $2,545,390 (2024)
Total Assets: $76 million
Decision Time: 3-4 months (from deadline to announcement)
Grant Range: $3,850 - $300,000
- Healthy Communities: Up to $40,000
- Core Priorities: $100,000 - $300,000
Geographic Focus: 20 counties across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio (Tri-State region)
Total Impact (2018-2024): 266+ organizations funded, $15+ million awarded, 523+ grants

Contact Details

Address: 935 3rd Avenue, Suite 340, Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: 304-397-5955
Email: grants@pallottinehuntington.org
Website: https://pallottinehuntington.org

Key Program Contacts:

Laura Boone, Chief Executive Officer: lkboone@pallottinehuntington.org, 304-397-5955
Jana Stoner, Senior Program Officer for Mission and Strategy: jkstoner@pallottinehuntington.org, 304-397-5955
Claire Snyder, Senior Program Officer for Learning and Impact: cesnyder@pallottinehuntington.org, 304-397-5955

Overview

The Pallottine Foundation of Huntington was established in 2018 following the sale of St. Mary's Medical Center to Cabell Huntington Hospital, continuing the legacy of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters who arrived in West Virginia in 1912. Founded on the motto "The Love of Christ Impels Us," the Sisters opened St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington in 1924, which grew to become the largest medical center in the Tri-State region.

With $76 million in assets, the foundation awards approximately $2.5 million annually to health-focused nonprofit organizations across a 20-county region spanning West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. The foundation's mission is to "support transformative health initiatives that empower all individuals to lead lives of optimal health, self-reliance, and self-respect," striving to foster systemic change and collaborative impact in the community.

Since its inception in 2018, the foundation has funded 266 organizations with over $15 million through 523 grants, with an average grant size of $28,000. CEO Laura Boone, who assumed leadership in January 2024, emphasizes that "The Pallottine Sisters established our Foundation with a vision to help and heal people in the community."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Healthy Communities Initiative

Amount: Up to $40,000 per year
Duration: One-year grant performance period
Application Type: Annual cycle with fixed deadline
Average Awards: 116-164 grants annually totaling $1.7-2.5 million
Average Grant Size: $14,000
Application Process: Two pathways available:
- Standard application for grants $7,501-$40,000
- Simplified application for grants $7,500 or less
Timeline: Applications open in January, deadline in late February, awards announced in May

2. Core Priorities Funding

Amount: $100,000-$300,000
Duration: Two-year grant performance period
Application Type: Invitation-only, year-round rolling basis
Average Awards: 4-5 projects annually
Average Grant Size: $262,000+
Total Awarded: $7.3+ million across 28 grants (2018-2023)
Application Process: Contact program team for initial discussion before invitation

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on health-related programming across six core areas:

Health and Wellness - Comprehensive health initiatives, access to care, health education, and preventive services
Capacity Building - Organizational infrastructure, technology, equipment, staff training, and strategic planning
Food Insecurity - Food access programs, nutrition education, food pantries, and community gardens
Mental and Behavioral Health - Mental health services, counseling, support groups, and community-based interventions
Substance Use Disorder - Treatment access, recovery support, harm reduction, and prevention programs
Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation - Evidence-based tobacco prevention and cessation programs

Geographic Service Area (20 counties total):

West Virginia (9 counties): Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, western Putnam, Wayne
Kentucky (8 counties): Boyd, Carter, Floyd, Greenup, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, Pike
Ohio (3 counties): Gallia, Lawrence, Scioto

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does not support:

Grants for individuals
Endowments
Academic scholarships
Indirect costs
Major capital projects (typically items over $2,500)
General operating costs (for Healthy Communities Initiative)
Programs outside their 20-county service area
Programs not aligned with their six focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Chair: Sister Danuta Przybylek, S.A.C., Provincial, Pallottine Missionary Sisters

Members:

Sister Mary Terence Wall, S.A.C., Vice Provincial, Pallottine Missionary Sisters
Sister Joanne Obrochta, S.A.C., Pallottine Missionary Sisters
Sister Francesca Lowis, S.A.C., Pallottine Missionary Sisters
Msgr. Dean Borgmeyer, Pastor, St. Joseph's Parish
Todd Campbell, Corporate Treasurer, Pallottine Missionary Sisters
Ellen S. Cappellanti, Member, Jackson Kelly, PLLC
Thomas L. Craig, Counsel, Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC
Doug Korstanje, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of Huntington
Joseph B. Touma, M.D., Community Leader

Staff

Laura Boone, Chief Executive Officer
Assumed CEO role in January 2024 after serving as Senior Program Officer. Boone states, "In the next year, we will begin implementing the objectives of our new strategic plan, continue to provide opportunities for collaboration and multifaceted support for our community partners, and increase outreach across our region to identify potential new partners and deepen our relationships with current partners."

Tracy Teams, Senior Director of Administration and Finance
Former Health System Budget Manager with 17 years of financial expertise.

Jana Stoner, Senior Program Officer for Mission and Strategy
Joined in 2020, focused on ministry and community development.

Claire Snyder, Senior Program Officer for Learning and Impact
Experience in education, advocacy, and community connections.

Kim Price, Director of Communications
Previously Internal Communications Manager at St. Mary's Medical Center.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Healthy Communities Initiative (Annual):

Applications submitted through the foundation's online grant management system only
No Letter of Inquiry required
One application per organization per grant cycle
Applications can request funding for multiple projects listed in priority order
Applicants can save and return to applications in progress
Most fields are required with character limits
Organizational financial statements and budget required (audit not required)

Core Priorities Funding (Invitation-Only):

Initial conversation required with program team (Jana Stoner or Claire Snyder)
Organizations invited to apply after discussion
Separate application instructions provided individually
Open year-round, reviewed on quarterly basis

Pre-Application Consultation:
The foundation encourages applicants to contact program officers before and during the application process to discuss project ideas, share information, and ask questions. Statewide nonprofits are specifically recommended to contact a Program Officer before applying.

Decision Timeline

Healthy Communities Initiative 2026 Timeline:

Application Opens: January 7, 2026
Submission Deadline: February 24, 2026 at 8:00 PM (late applications NOT accepted)
Staff Review Period: March-May 2026 (may include requests for additional information or site visits)
Board Decision: May 2026
Awards Announced: May 22, 2026
Grant Performance Period: June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027
Total Decision Time: Approximately 3 months from deadline to notification

Core Priorities Funding:

Rolling acceptance throughout the year
Quarterly review cycles
Two-year grant performance period
Individual timeline provided upon invitation

Notification Method: Email notification to all applicants following Board of Trustees decisions

Success Rates

While specific acceptance rates are not published, the foundation demonstrates broad support across the region:

2024 Healthy Communities: 116 organizations funded with $1.7+ million
2025 Healthy Communities: 164 organizations funded with $2.5+ million
The foundation has maintained consistent annual giving of approximately $2.5 million
Over 266 unique organizations have received funding since 2018

The data suggests that the foundation aims to support a wide range of organizations rather than concentrating funds among few grantees, with an average Healthy Communities grant of $14,000.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that receive funding do not need to wait to close out that grant before applying in future grant cycles. Organizations may submit only one application per cycle, though they may request funding for multiple projects in order of priority.

Specific policies regarding unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation directly at grants@pallottinehuntington.org or 304-397-5955 for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Explicit Guidance

Make Applications Clear and Easy to Review:
According to the foundation's grant writing tips, "Grant reviewers may be volunteers or staff members, so make their job of understanding and scoring your application as easy as possible. Assume that the reviewer knows nothing about your community or organization, the needs you address, what you do, or how you do it."

Writing Style Expectations:

Avoid jargon and excessive acronyms
Spell out all acronyms on first reference
Write in a simple, conversational tone
Proofread carefully and watch for grammatical mistakes
"Be interesting and write your proposal in a way that will make it stand out from others"

Follow the 80/20 Rule:
The foundation recommends spending 80% of time planning and 20% writing the actual proposal.

Demonstrate Impact and Solutions:
CEO Laura Boone emphasizes that "The projects and programs we fund through Healthy Communities provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people throughout West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. The nonprofit organizations that received these grants are innovative, resilient, and dedicated to providing services and resources that will enable people to overcome obstacles and live healthy, happy lives."

Key Application Components

Community Need Documentation:

Use local, current data and statistics
Explain root causes of community challenges
Compare local data to state/national figures when relevant
Paint a clear picture of the problem you're addressing

Budget and Program Alignment:
"The budget and the project description should mirror one another - in the description, write a narrative of how you are going to spend the money, and in the budget, demonstrate in financial form the money you need to carry out the activities in your description."

Sustainability Planning:

Demonstrate how the program will continue after the grant period
Highlight partnerships with other organizations
Discuss diverse funding sources
Explain developed earned income streams

Partnerships and Collaboration:
"The Foundation appreciates other agencies, funders, or volunteers who demonstrate a commitment to your project by providing financial assistance, in-kind donations, or volunteer hours."

Examples of Funded Projects

Health and Wellness:

Marshall University Research Corporation: $39,871.95 for nutrition education for substance abuse recovery
Hillcrest Bruce United Methodist Ministries: $32,000 for denture assistance program
The Steven A. Hunter Hope Fund: $25,000 for Power Packs distribution to elementary students

Food Insecurity:

Big Sandy Health Care: $31,876 for Chronic Disease Management Program with food vouchers and container garden instruction
The Children's Home Society of West Virginia: $15,000 for Family Support Center food items

Mental and Behavioral Health:

Children's Therapy Clinic: $7,500 for social skills groups for children with autism spectrum disorders

Substance Use Disorder:

The Healing House: $15,661.50 for hygiene pantry and household items for women in recovery
The Galaxy Project: $28,000 for Icelandic Prevention Model implementation

Capacity Building:

Charleston Thunder Sled Hockey: $5,000 for equipment and jerseys
Various organizations received capacity building funds for technology, equipment, and organizational infrastructure

Tobacco Prevention:

Partners in Health Network (PIHN): $50,000 for CATCH My Breath initiative expansion

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Geographic Alignment: Projects clearly serving populations within the 20-county service area
Innovation and Scalability: Particularly for Core Priorities funding, projects that demonstrate innovative approaches with potential for broader impact
Strong Evaluation Components: Clear plans for measuring and demonstrating program effectiveness
Collaborative Approach: Partnerships with other organizations and funders
Health Focus: Clear connection to one or more of the six priority areas with emphasis on holistic health (physical, emotional, and spiritual)
Community-Centered: Programs designed with stakeholder input that directly address documented local needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Health alignment is essential: All programs must clearly connect to health outcomes, broadly defined to include physical, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual health. Food insecurity programs, for example, should emphasize health impacts.
Know your geography: Carefully verify that your target population resides within the 20-county service area. Multi-county or regional programs may have an advantage, but ensure all served counties are within the foundation's boundaries.
Choose the right program: Consider whether your project fits the Healthy Communities Initiative (smaller, one-year projects up to $40,000) or Core Priorities (larger, innovative, two-year projects $100,000-$300,000 requiring invitation). For Core Priorities, reach out early to program staff.
Engage before you apply: The foundation explicitly welcomes and encourages pre-application conversations. Use this opportunity to test your project idea, clarify questions, and build relationships with program officers.
Write for clarity, not complexity: Reviewers may be community volunteers. Avoid jargon, spell out acronyms, use conversational language, and make your case accessible to readers who may not be experts in your field.
Budget and narrative must align perfectly: The foundation emphasizes that these two components should mirror each other. Every activity described should have corresponding budget line items, and vice versa.
Demonstrate sustainability and collaboration: Show how your program will continue beyond the grant period and highlight partnerships with other organizations, funders, or volunteers who demonstrate commitment through financial support, in-kind donations, or volunteer hours.
Miss the deadline by one minute, miss the opportunity: The foundation is explicit that applications submitted even one minute past the 8:00 PM deadline will not be accepted. Plan to submit well in advance.
Innovation valued in Core Priorities: For larger grants, emphasize innovative approaches, potential scalability, strong evaluation plans, and regional focus.
Previous funding doesn't prevent reapplication: Organizations can apply in new cycles even while implementing current grants, and successful grantees can continue to apply annually for new or continuing projects.

References

Pallottine Foundation of Huntington Official Website - https://pallottinehuntington.org - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Healthy Communities Initiative - https://pallottinehuntington.org/healthy-communities-initiative/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Core Priorities Funding - https://pallottinehuntington.org/core-priorities-funding/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Eligibility Guidelines - https://pallottinehuntington.org/eligibility-guidelines/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Grant Writing Tips - https://pallottinehuntington.org/grant-writing-tips/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Frequently Asked Questions - https://pallottinehuntington.org/frequently-asked-questions/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Our Story - https://pallottinehuntington.org/our-story/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Board of Trustees - https://pallottinehuntington.org/board-of-trustees/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Our Team - https://pallottinehuntington.org/our-team/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Our Impact - https://pallottinehuntington.org/our-impact/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
Pallottine Foundation Funding Awards - https://pallottinehuntington.org/funding-awards/ - Accessed January 5, 2025
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Pallottine Foundation of Huntington West Virginia - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/815135504 - Accessed January 5, 2025
"Pallottine Foundation awards $1.7M to health-focused nonprofits" - Herald-Dispatch, June 2024 - https://www.herald-dispatch.com/features_entertainment/pallottine-foundation-awards-1-7m-to-health-focused-nonprofits/article_c75575bf-703a-52e0-8bf5-242dd2bd5437.html
"Pallottine Foundation of Huntington CEO Janell Ray announces retirement; Laura Boone named next CEO" - West Virginia Press Association, December 2023 - https://wvpress.org/wvpa-sharing/pallottine-foundation-of-huntington-ceo-janell-ray-announces-retirement-laura-boone-named-next-ceo/
"Pallottine Sisters Find A New Legacy In Community Healthcare" - West Virginia Public Broadcasting, September 2019 - https://wvpublic.org/story/wvpb-news/pallottine-sisters-find-a-new-legacy-in-community-healthcare/