West Virginia First Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Total Assets: Over $225 million (opioid settlement funds)
• Annual Giving: Varies by grant cycle; typically $17-19 million per cycle
• Decision Time: 8-12 weeks (application to board decision)
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $975,000
• Geographic Focus: West Virginia (six defined regions)
• Application Method: Fixed cycles through online portal

Contact Details

Website: https://wvfirst.org
Grant Portal: https://wvff.grantplatform.com
Grant Inquiries: grants@wvfirst.org
Media Contact: media@wvfirst.org
Contact Forms: Available at https://wvfirst.org/contact/ (general inquiry, meeting requests, site visits, speaker requests)

Overview

Founded in 2023 by the West Virginia Legislature, the West Virginia First Foundation is a private nonprofit organisation established to receive and disburse the state's opioid settlement funds. West Virginia is projected to receive over $1 billion in settlement funds from lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, with 72.5% allocated to WVFF for distribution to community organisations addressing addiction. The Foundation holds over $225 million in assets and has earned over $10 million in investment income. The Foundation's mission is to "empower West Virginians to prevent substance use disorder, support recovery, and save lives" through transparent, evidence-based grantmaking. The Foundation operates with quarterly board meetings held publicly via virtual access, demonstrating commitment to transparency and community engagement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The Foundation runs periodic grant cycles focusing on opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery. Grant programmes typically include both statewide and regional funding opportunities across five to six target areas. Recent grant cycles have distributed $17-19 million per cycle to support dozens of projects across West Virginia.

Typical Grant Cycle Structure:

• Statewide programmes: Larger awards (up to $975,000) requiring reach across all 6 WVFF regions
• Regional programmes: Smaller awards ($125,000-$380,000) focused on specific regional needs
• Application method: Online portal with fixed deadlines
• Funding disbursed in instalments tied to progress reporting

Common Target Areas:

• Foster Care & Non-Parental Caregivers: Support for families caring for children affected by the opioid crisis

• Youth Prevention: Structured, evidence-based programming for young people (often ages 8-13)

  • No capital investments allowed

• Recovery Housing: Capital investments for recovery housing expansion

  • WVARR certification required or in active pursuit
  • Operational funding not typically included

• Behavioural Health & Workforce Development: Training and pipeline programmes for behavioural health professionals

  • Cannot supplant existing payroll

• Day Report Centres & Reentry: Wraparound services including transportation, counselling, housing support, employment assistance, case management

Priority Areas

The Foundation funds initiatives aligned with its Memorandum of Understanding, supporting:

Approved Purposes:

• Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) treatment
• Recovery support services
• Care coordination and connections
• Criminal justice interventions
• Support for pregnant/parenting families
• Opioid prescribing prevention
• Overdose prevention
• First responder support
• Leadership development and training
• Research and data collection
• Law enforcement initiatives

Core Strategies:

• Naloxone distribution programmes
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• Support for pregnant/postpartum individuals
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) treatment
• Warm hand-offs from emergency to treatment settings
• Treatment for incarcerated populations
• Evidence-based prevention programmes
• Data collection and research initiatives

Programme Examples:

• LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion)
• CIT (Crisis Intervention Teams)
• QRTs (Quick Response Teams)
• Police and Peers programmes
• Day Report Centres
• Child Advocacy Centres
• Recovery housing expansion
• Youth prevention coalitions

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation only funds projects that:

• Align with approved uses in the opioid settlement Memorandum of Understanding
• Address substance use disorder prevention, treatment, or recovery
• Serve West Virginia communities

Restrictions:

• For-profit entities can only apply as partners with nonprofits for statewide programmes (not independently for regional programmes)
• Capital expenses only allowed in specific target areas (such as Recovery Housing)
• Indirect costs capped at 10% of grant amount
• Cannot supplant existing payroll in workforce development programmes
• Youth prevention programmes cannot fund capital investments
• Funds must typically be expended within 12 months (with one possible 6-month extension)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Jonathan Board, JD | Executive Director
Fifth-generation West Virginian with law degree from WVU. Former Director of Public Policy at Mon Health System and VP External Affairs at Vandalia Health. Board emphasises transparency and evidence-based decision-making: "We want to see the work and make sure we're not relying on inference or hyperbole and make sure we honour those that have made these great sacrifices."

Romeo Tan, MBA | Chief Operating Officer
Business administration background from Wheeling Jesuit University. Former VP of People Operations at Orb Health and managed pandemic operations for Mon Health Medical Centre.

Anthony Woods, CPA | Chief Financial Officer
Deputy State Auditor/Comptroller with extensive government finance experience.

Danin Cather, MS | Chief Marketing Officer
Integrated marketing communications specialist; named to Generation Next: 40 Under 40.

Luella Gunter | Chief Development Officer
25+ years fundraising experience across higher education, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors.

Rachel Thaxton, MA | Director of Support Operations
Former Assistant Director of WV Department of Human Services Office of Drug Control Policy; extensive background addressing West Virginia's substance use epidemic.

Board Leadership

Gregory A. Duckworth | Chairman
President of Raleigh County Commission; former WV State Police (26 years). Emphasises "united effort" to find solutions and build healthier communities.

Dr. Matthew Christiansen | Vice-Chair
Vice President of Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Valley Health Systems. Former State Health Officer who led overdose prediction models. On the scoring rubric transparency: "The scoring rubric was included I think is a really great idea and helps people understand what they're being judged on and based on."

The Honourable Jeff S. Sandy | Treasurer
Retired Cabinet Secretary, Department of Homeland Security. Advocates two-tiered approach reducing drug availability and use with prevention/recovery programmes.

Dora L. Stutler | Secretary
Superintendent of Harrison County Schools; instrumental in substance misuse prevention curriculum development.

Regional Board Members:

• Region 1: Steven L. Corder, MD - Medical Director, Northwood Health Systems; board-certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine
• Region 2: Tim Czaja - Director, Berkeley County Community Corrections; 20 years substance abuse treatment experience
• Region 3: Tom Joyce - Mayor of Parkersburg; 20+ years healthcare/EMS administration
• Region 4: Jon Dower - Executive Director, WVSL Solutions; 12+ years treating opioid/SUD
• Region 5: Dr. Matthew Christiansen (also Vice-Chair)
• Region 6: Dr. Michael Tony Kelly - Emergency Medicine Physician; 40+ years frontline care in coalfields

Governor-Appointed Member:

• Alys M. Smith - First Lady of Marshall University; trial attorney; co-founder Wing2Wing Foundation

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online submission through WVFF Grant Portal (https://wvff.grantplatform.com/)

Application Requirements:

1. Complete online application through grant portal
2. Use required budget template (downloadable from website)
3. Submit financial documentation:
   • IRS Form 990 (for nonprofits)
   • Audited financial statements, OR
   • Other relevant financial documents
4. Demonstrate organisational capacity and experience
5. Provide evidence-based programme design with measurable outcomes

Application Limits: Applicants may typically submit one application per target area, OR one statewide + one regional application, OR up to three regional applications (no more than three total). Specific limits may vary by grant cycle.

Eligibility:

• Nonprofit organisations with IRC 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Organisations tax-exempt under IRC 115
• Governmental entities
• For-profit entities (only as partners with nonprofits for statewide programmes)

Pre-Application Support: The Foundation provides support to applicants:

• Email inquiries to grants@wvfirst.org
• Expert panels available to help groups working on applications
• Question periods during application cycles
• Board emphasised importance of "thoughtful engagement" and provides guidance to ensure applicants can submit complete applications

Decision Timeline

Typical Grant Cycle Timeline:

• Application period: 2-3 weeks
• Review period: 8-12 weeks
• Board vote and notification: Within 2-4 weeks of review completion
• Total timeline from submission to decision: ~10-12 weeks

Review Process:

1. Intake Review: Objective standard evaluation to verify all application requirements met
2. Expert Panel Review: Applications graded using published scoring rubric
3. Committee Review: Committee reviews expert panel rankings
4. Interviews/Site Visits: May be conducted (considered but not graded)
5. Board Consideration: Full board reviews committee recommendations
6. Final Vote: Board votes on funding awards
7. Notification: All applicants notified of decisions

Disbursement Schedule: Typically structured with multiple instalments:

• First disbursement: 40% of total award
• Subsequent disbursements: Contingent on progress reporting and milestone achievement
• Final payment: Upon completion

Reporting Requirements: Organisations must file financial statements documenting use of funds. Failure to submit grant reports may result in withholding of future distributions.

Expenditure Timeline: Funds must typically be expended within 12 months of receipt. One-time extension available (up to 6 months maximum) upon request.

Success Rates

The Foundation has demonstrated selective but substantial funding commitment in recent grant cycles:

• Success rates have ranged from approximately 22% in initial rounds to over 50% overall when including supplemental rounds
• Recent cycles have funded 75-95 projects per cycle
• The Foundation often offers supplemental rounds to give applicants who were close an opportunity to address deficiencies

Reapplication Policy

Second Chance Policy: The Foundation offers "West Virginia's value of second chances" through a supportive reapplication process.

Supplemental Round Eligibility: The Foundation may offer supplemental rounds where:

• Grant-seekers from initial rounds whose submissions were not funded are eligible to participate
• Applicants must have submitted initial applications by original deadline
• Organisations receive notice and work directly with WVFF staff on how to meet necessary criteria
• Foundation provides guidance on submitting complete and eligible applications

Purpose: Gives applicants who were "just short, an opportunity to cure their application," such as addressing:

• Missing documentation
• Application deficiencies
• Incomplete information

Support Provided:

• Direct staff guidance on application requirements
• Specific feedback on deficient areas
• Assistance in understanding criteria

Future Cycles: Each grant cycle is independent. Organisations not funded in one cycle can apply to subsequent cycles as new opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's scoring rubric, leadership statements, and funded project patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Alignment with WVFF Mission & Evidence-Based Approach (25% of score)

• Quote from scoring rubric: "Demonstrates strong alignment with WVFF's mission, vision, and goals, with a clear path for achieving them"
• Use evidence-based strategies, programming, and services
• Ground proposals in research and proven methodologies
• Executive Director Jonathan Board emphasises: "We use evidence to guide spending, grounding our work in substantial body of evidence developed by researchers, clinicians, and communities relating to what works"

2. Complete and Thorough Applications

• Board stressed importance of "the intake process" as "an objective standard" focusing on "whether applicants satisfied specific application standards"
• Board stated: "We want to see the work and make sure we're not relying on inference or hyperbole"
• Submit all required documentation (Form 990, financials, budget template)
• Demonstrate concrete work rather than promises
• Board celebrated those who "successfully completed the application process"

3. Transparency, Fairness & Sustainability (25% of score)

• Show how the project will create lasting change
• Demonstrate organisational capacity and financial stability
• Provide clear budget justification using required template
• Indicate how services will reach target populations equitably

4. Innovation & Evidence-Based Strategies (25% of score)

• Incorporate innovative approaches while grounding in evidence
• Reference research, clinical best practices, and community-tested solutions
• Show understanding of what works in prevention, treatment, and recovery

5. Implementation, Impact & Measurability (25% of score)

• Define clear, measurable outcomes
• Provide realistic implementation timeline
• Demonstrate organisational capability to execute the project
• Show how impact will be tracked and reported

6. Geographic Reach and Regional Need

• For statewide programmes: demonstrate presence across all 6 WVFF regions
• For regional programmes: show deep understanding of specific regional needs
• Align with county-level overdose rates and intervention needs

7. Engagement with Foundation Resources

• Board noted strong participation with over 100 questions during question periods
• Applicants who reach out with "thoughtful questions" demonstrate engagement
• Utilise expert panels "available to groups working on applications to get help and expertise prior to submitting"

Examples of Funded Project Types:

• Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT): Law enforcement and behavioural health partnerships
• Recovery Housing Expansion: Capital projects for recovery housing facilities
• Child Advocacy Centres: Expansion of services for children affected by substance use
• Youth Prevention: Evidence-based prevention programmes for young people
• Quick Response Teams: Rapid response to overdoses with connection to treatment

Common Reasons for Deficiency:

• Missing documentation
• Incomplete applications
• Failure to meet specific target area requirements
• Insufficient demonstration of evidence-based approach

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Evidence is essential: Ground all proposals in research, clinical best practices, and proven methodologies. The Foundation scores applications heavily on evidence-based approaches and measurable outcomes.

• Complete applications win: The Foundation uses an objective intake process to verify all requirements are met. Missing documentation or incomplete applications may be deferred to supplemental rounds. Submit all required materials including Form 990, financials, and the required budget template.

• Engage early and often: The Foundation offers pre-application support through expert panels and grants@wvfirst.org. Board members noted "thoughtful questions" demonstrate strong engagement. Don't hesitate to seek guidance before submitting.

• Show the work, not just the promise: Executive Director Jonathan Board emphasised the Foundation wants to "see the work" rather than "inference or hyperbole." Demonstrate concrete organisational capacity, past performance, and realistic implementation plans.

• Transparency matters: With over $225 million in assets from public opioid settlement funds, the Foundation prioritises transparency. Board meetings are public, scoring rubrics are published, and past awardees are listed online. Mirror this transparency in your application.

• Second chances are real: The Foundation's "West Virginia values" include offering unsuccessful applicants direct staff support to address deficiencies and reapply. Don't be discouraged by initial rejection—work with staff to strengthen your application.

• Regional vs. statewide strategy: Choose your application strategy carefully. Consider where your organisational capacity and regional presence is strongest.

• Four equal scoring criteria: Applications are scored on alignment (25%), transparency/sustainability (25%), innovation/evidence (25%), and implementation/impact (25%). Address all four areas equally—weakness in any single area significantly impacts your total score.

References

Official Foundation Sources:

• West Virginia First Foundation Homepage: https://wvfirst.org/
• Grants Portal and Information: https://wvfirst.org/grants/
• Staff Directory: https://wvfirst.org/staff/
• Board Members: https://wvfirst.org/board-members/
• Contact Information: https://wvfirst.org/contact/

News Coverage:

• "W.Va. First Foundation Picks Director," West Virginia Public Broadcasting: https://wvpublic.org/w-va-first-foundation-picks-director/
• "First Foundation Receives Nearly 200 Applications During First Grant Cycle," West Virginia Public Broadcasting: https://wvpublic.org/first-foundation-receives-nearly-200-applications-during-first-grant-cycle/
• "First Foundation Offers Another Chance For Prevention And Recovery Grants," West Virginia Public Broadcasting: https://wvpublic.org/first-foundation-offers-another-chance-for-prevention-and-recovery-grants/
• Various news articles from Charleston Gazette-Mail, West Virginia Watch, Real WV, and WV MetroNews