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West Virginia First Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$17.0M
Grant Range
$50K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
54%

West Virginia First Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Total Assets: $226.4 million (as of November 2024)
  • Annual Giving: $17 million (2024 grant cycle); $18 million (2025 cycle planned)
  • 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 organization 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 organizations addressing addiction. As of November 2024, the Foundation held $226.4 million in assets and had 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. In 2024, WVFF awarded $17 million to 94 projects in its Initial Opportunity Grant cycle and announced plans to distribute nearly $18 million in its 2025 Momentum Initiative Grant cycle. The Foundation operates with quarterly board meetings held publicly via virtual access, demonstrating commitment to transparency and community engagement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Momentum Initiative Grant (MIG) - 2025 Cycle
Total funding: $19.2 million across five target areas

  • Foster Care & Non-Parental Caregivers (Statewide): $975,000 per award (4 awards available, $3.9M total)

    • Requires statewide reach across all 6 WVFF regions
    • Application method: Online portal, fixed deadline (October 10, 2025, 12:00 PM EST)

  • Youth Prevention (Regional): $125,000 per award (32 awards available, $4.0M total)

    • Preferred age range: 8-13 years
    • Structured, evidence-based programming required
    • No capital investments allowed
    • Application method: Rolling basis through regional applications

  • Recovery Housing (Regional): $380,000 per award (10 awards available, $3.8M total)

    • WVARR certification required or in active pursuit
    • Capital investments only (no operational funding)
    • Application method: Online portal, regional applications

  • Behavioral Health & Workforce Development (Regional): $250,000 per award (15 awards available, $3.75M total)

    • Training/pipeline programs for behavioral health professionals
    • Cannot supplant existing payroll
    • Application method: Online portal, regional applications

  • Day Report Centers & Reentry (Regional): $250,000 per award (15 awards available, $3.75M total)

    • Wraparound services required (transportation, counseling, housing support, employment assistance, case management)
    • Application method: Online portal, regional applications

Initial Opportunity Grant (IOG) - Completed 2024 Cycle

  • Awarded $17 million to 94 projects
  • Grant range: $50,000 - $720,000
  • Funding breakdown: 32.4% drug diversion/interdiction; 23.5% youth prevention/workforce; 21.8% child advocacy/pregnant women programs; 22.3% recovery housing

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 programs
  • 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 programs
  • Data collection and research initiatives

Program Examples:

  • LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion)
  • CIT (Crisis Intervention Teams)
  • QRTs (Quick Response Teams)
  • Police and Peers programs
  • Day Report Centers
  • Child Advocacy Centers
  • 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 the statewide Foster Care target area (not independently for regional programs)
  • Capital expenses only allowed in specific target areas (Recovery Housing, certain other programs as specified)
  • Indirect costs capped at 10% of grant amount
  • Cannot supplant existing payroll in workforce development programs
  • Youth prevention programs cannot fund capital investments
  • Funds must 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 emphasizes 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 honor 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 Center.

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 | Interim Chairman
President of Raleigh County Commission; former WV State Police (26 years). Emphasizes "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 Honorable Jeff S. Sandy | Treasurer
Retired Cabinet Secretary, Department of Homeland Security. Advocates two-tiered approach reducing drug availability and use with prevention/recovery programs.

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 organizational capacity and experience
  5. Provide evidence-based program design with measurable outcomes

Application Limits:

  • Applicants may submit one application per target area, OR
  • One statewide + one regional application, OR
  • Up to three regional applications (no more than three total)

Eligibility:

  • Nonprofit organizations with IRC 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Organizations tax-exempt under IRC 115
  • Governmental entities
  • For-profit entities (only as partners with nonprofits for statewide Foster Care area)

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 (over 100 questions received during initial cycle)
  • Board emphasized importance of "thoughtful engagement" and provides guidance to ensure applicants can submit complete applications

Decision Timeline

Momentum Initiative Grant (2025) Timeline:

  • RFA Published: September 5, 2025
  • Application Period: September 22 - October 10, 2025 (12:00 PM EST deadline)
  • Review Period: October 13 - December 4, 2025 (approximately 8 weeks)
  • Board Vote: December 11, 2025
  • Applicant Notifications: On or before December 31, 2025
  • Total timeline from submission to decision: ~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: Initial Opportunity 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:

  • First disbursement: 40% of total award
  • Second disbursement: 20% (contingent on progress reporting)
  • Third disbursement: 20% (contingent on milestone achievement)
  • Fourth disbursement: 20% (final payment)

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

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

Success Rates

Initial Opportunity Grant (2024 Cycle):

  • Applications received: 174
  • First round awards: 38 organizations funded ($10.4 million)
  • Supplemental round awards: Additional organizations funded ($6.21 million)
  • Total funded: 94 projects ($17 million total)
  • Overall success rate: ~54% (94 funded out of approximately 174 applications)
  • First round success rate: ~22% (38 out of 174)

Application Volume by Category (IOG): Highest interest areas were youth prevention and workforce development programs.

Funding Distribution: The Foundation awarded approximately $17 million of the $19.2 million allocated for IOG, demonstrating selective but substantial funding commitment.

Reapplication Policy

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

Supplemental Round Eligibility:

  • All grant-seekers from initial round whose submissions were not funded are eligible to participate
  • Applicants must have submitted initial applications by original deadline
  • Organizations 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

Results: In the IOG supplemental round, the Board approved an additional $6.21 million in funding, bringing total IOG investment to nearly $17 million.

Future Cycles: Each grant cycle appears to be independent. Organizations not funded in one cycle (IOG) can apply to subsequent cycles (MIG) 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 emphasizes: "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 organizational 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 organizational capability to execute the project
  • Show how impact will be tracked and reported

6. Geographic Reach and Regional Need

  • For statewide programs: demonstrate presence across all 6 WVFF regions
  • For regional programs: show deep understanding of specific regional needs
  • Align with county-level overdose rates and intervention needs (as with ACCORN project selection)

7. Engagement with Foundation Resources

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

Examples of Funded Projects:

  • Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT): Wheeling Police Department ($463,634); Prestera Center ($475,174); Westbrook Health Services ($298,687)
  • Recovery Housing Expansion: Southern WV Fellowship Home ($658,800); Morgantown Sober Living ($360,000)
  • Child Advocacy Centers: North Star expansion ($720,000 - largest single award)
  • Youth Prevention: National Youth Advocate Program Strengthening Families ($417,850); Seed Sower Workforce Opportunities ($442,800)
  • Quick Response Teams: Cabell County ($324,826); Jackson County ($192,000)

Common Reasons for Deficiency (implied from supplemental round):

  • 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 emphasized the Foundation wants to "see the work" rather than "inference or hyperbole." Demonstrate concrete organizational capacity, past performance, and realistic implementation plans.

  • Transparency matters: With $226 million in assets from public opioid settlement funds, the Foundation prioritizes 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. You can apply to one statewide + one regional area OR up to three regional areas. Consider where your organizational 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:

News Coverage:

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