Stephen D. Tanner Children’s Enrichment Fund Grants

The Stephen D. Tanner Children’s Enrichment Fund Grant is a targeted funding initiative administered by Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc. (YCF), a philanthropic organization serving Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties. YCF’s mission is to promote philanthropy and build endowment funds to enhance the well-being of communities in North Central West Virginia. This specific fund is dedicated to enriching the lives of underprivileged children through educational and extracurricular opportunities. This grant is open to traditional public elementary schools and nonprofit organizations operating in the five-county service area. For schools, preference is given to Title I institutions, but all school-based staff may apply, including general education teachers, arts educators, counselors, and mental health professionals. Eligible nonprofits must focus on children’s enrichment in under-resourced communities within the designated counties. Grant awards are available for up to $2,500 per project. The fund encourages projects that incorporate project-based learning, cross-curriculum initiatives, and parental engagement. However, the grant explicitly prohibits use for travel expenses and disallows any requirement for out-of-pocket spending by children or families. Awarded funds must be used during the academic year in which they are received. While matching funds are not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to pursue them from sources other than students or families to maximize impact. Applicants must submit proposals via YCF’s grant portal, selecting the Stephen D. Tanner Children’s Enrichment Fund Grant program. First-time applicants are required to create a portal account before submitting. Applicants should carefully read all program descriptions to ensure selection of the correct funding opportunity. The application cycle for the 2025–26 round closed on September 22, 2025. The grant is expected to reopen in July 2026, maintaining an annual cycle. Updates and application materials are typically made available in the summer preceding the academic year of funding. YCF can be contacted at 304-296-3433 for any additional inquiries related to the grant. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly provided in the grant notice. However, project alignment with enrichment goals and impact on underprivileged children are expected to be key factors. Funds are awarded with the expectation of timely use during the upcoming academic year, and adherence to funding restrictions is required.

Matching funds are encouraged but must not be sourced from students or their families; travel costs are disallowed; project-based and parent-involving programs are encouraged.