Who We Are
The WV Chamber Foundation strives to make a positive impact in the lives of West Virginians through education and economic development. While our educational efforts include the traditional sense of the word, they also include education by showing kindness, compassion and dedication to our neighbors and communities. This is done through various ways, including direct programming, community service and providing emergency aid.
Helping West Virginia Communities
Our communities in Southern West Virginia have been severely impacted by recent devastating floods and extreme weather conditions. In the face of this crisis, the West Virginia Chamber Foundation is mobilizing to support those affected.
We are reaching out to our valued members to request your help in providing critical relief to the affected areas.
Affected areas/communities include:
- Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Logan, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties
Jobs for West Virginia's Graduates
In 2021, Jobs for West Virginia’s Graduates (JWVG) restarted under the WV Chamber Foundation, aiding students in various counties. Tailored for those with academic and economic challenges, JWVG offers in-class support with personalized plans. Students work with teachers and peers to enhance graduation and post-secondary prospects. The program includes statewide and national trips for professional, higher education, and employment exposure. Post-graduation, JWVG provides 12 months of support, displaying notable results in six categories measured monthly for at least a year after high school.
National Civics Bee
Workforce Unifiers
In 2024, The West Virginia Chamber Foundation introduced the “Workforce Unifiers” program. This initiative aims to establish a comprehensive network connecting youth, higher education, employers, and state government officials. Serving as a listening, learning, and problem-solving group, this network addresses the needs to strengthen the talent pipeline in West Virginia. Operating at grassroots, regional, and statewide levels, Workforce Unifiers focuses on tangible outcomes by connecting youth and unemployed adults with skills development resources and employment opportunities. Additionally, the program contributes valuable insights to influence positive policy changes, ensuring a robust and prosperous future for West Virginia.
Recovery to Work
The West Virginia Chamber Foundation collaborates on multiple recovery-to-work ecosystem projects with the overarching goal of fostering recovery-friendly work environments and supporting those affected by the opioid epidemic in achieving prosperity for themselves and their families. Initiatives include the “Building a Drug Responsible Workplace” online toolkit, providing guidance for employees and employers on creating and complying with recovery-friendly workplaces. Additionally, the Foundation partners with Marshall University’s CORE ARC Power Grant-COAL and contributes to a multi-state ARC Arise planning grant led by the Upper Cumberland Development District.
About West Virginia for Kids
In 2019, the WVCF created an informative and fun book geared towards elementary and middle schools students. This publication, entitled About West Virginia for Kids, was distributed to over 40,000 West Virginia elementary and middle school students. Upon delivery of this publication, staff learned of other important needs from some of the schools. As a result, over 600 pairs of shoes for students were purchased for:
- Clay County Middle School
- Walton Elementary/ Middle School
- Spencer Elementary School
Community Impact and Support
The Chamber Foundation makes qualifying distributions directly for the active conduct of its education and charitable purposes, and wishes to educate and provide support for innovative policy and programming that improves academic achievement of West Virginia’s students. The Chamber Foundation also awarded over $300,000 in mini-grants to small businesses in West Virginia to help them reopen their doors to commerce.
In 2016, the West Virginia Chamber Foundation played a large role in assisting communities affected by the once-in-a-century floods in rural Kanawha and Greenbrier counties. As part of these efforts, the Chamber Foundation provided the following:
- Over $350,000 in mini-grants to small businesses with flood damage
- Purchased thousands of dollars worth of cleaning supplies, boots and potable water
- Boots on the ground in the upper Kanawha Valley/ Clendenin area and Roane county directly cleaning and providing food for emergency aid workers.
In 2019, the West Virginia Chamber Foundation created an informative and fun book geared towards elementary and middle schools students. This publication, entitled About West Virginia for Kids, was distributed to over 40,000 West Virginia elementary and middle school students. Upon delivery of this publication, staff learned of other important needs from some of the schools. As a result, over 600 pairs of shoes for students were purchased for:
- Clay County Middle School
- Walton Elementary/ Middle School
- Spencer Elementary School