Healthy Communities Initiative

The Healthy Communities Initiative, managed by the Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon, is an annual grant opportunity that supports nonprofit organizations delivering health-related programs across five West Virginia counties. With a mission grounded in holistic well-being, the Initiative funds projects addressing behavioral, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual health. Additionally, it supports internal capacity-building for nonprofits, enabling them to strengthen their leadership, financial systems, and infrastructure. Grants under this Initiative are awarded annually for a one-year period and are capped at $25,000. While organizations can only apply once per cycle, applications may combine funding needs from any of the Foundation’s key focus areas: health and wellness, capacity building, spiritual and pastoral care, food insecurity, substance use disorder, and tobacco use prevention and cessation. The average grant award is around $8,000, and the Foundation reserves the right to provide partial funding to ensure broader reach. To apply, eligible nonprofits must submit a complete application through the Foundation’s grant management system. The 2025 cycle opened on January 7 and closed on February 10, with awards announced on March 28 and the performance period running from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. All submissions must be made by 8 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date, and late submissions are not accepted. Applicants are encouraged to review eligibility criteria, focus area alignment, and application components, including financial disclosures and project descriptions. Sample and customizable budget templates are available for use but not required. The Foundation recommends early engagement with its staff for guidance, particularly for statewide applicants aiming to serve specific counties. Laura Boone, Executive Director, is the primary contact for inquiries. The Foundation may follow up on applications with requests for additional information or site visits before its Board of Trustees makes final funding decisions. Projects that typically do not receive funding include academic scholarships, capital items, endowments, general operations, indirect costs, and large capital initiatives. Vehicles, playground equipment, and projects exceeding one year in duration are also excluded. The grant supports only nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status that serve residents in Barbour, Lewis, Randolph, Upshur, and Webster counties. Statewide nonprofits must demonstrate tailored approaches for these regions.

Contact the Foundation early to discuss project ideas; ensure alignment with the six focus areas; submit via portal only; no late applications accepted.