These organizations offer funding for projects that will improve infrastructure, safety, health, or strengthen leadership in your community.
Below is a list of funds available from these organizations. You can visit each organization's website for more information and details.
West Virginia HUB
The WV Hub is a statewide, non-profit organization that helps communities come together to set goals for their future and connects them to the rich network of resources they need to meet those goals. They offer a resource network for training, building infrastructures, developing small businesses, reclaiming abandoned buildings, finding funding for projects. Visit the WV HUB website to learn more.
TRY THIS WEST VIRGINIA
Try This is a West Virginia coalition of partner organizations whose collective mission is “to help knock West Virginia off the top of the worst health lists, community by community.” Their website offers many ideas, how-to guides, and inspiration from West Virginia communities. They also hold an annual conference, offer minigrants and arrange workshops throughout the state.
Eligibility:
Community teams that attend the
Try This Conference where you compete for funding
Funding used for:
Creative projects that help people build healthy habits. Consider applying if you
have a project that includes recreational or health components. Read more about
past projects that have been funded for more information (scroll down).
Fund description:
Mini grants
up to
$3000.
Deadline:
Annual, typically in June
COMMUNITY WORKS IN WEST VIRGINIA
CommunityWorks in West Virginia serves to unite local housing-related agencies and organizations to assure safe and affordable housing. Representing twenty-seven organizations, CWWV provides a variety of services to its members through technical assistance and training, innovative mortgage lending products, and member services support programs including advocacy at the federal and state levels. Loans programs include Premier Loan, Leverage Loan, Rehab Lending, Designer Loan, and Commercial Loans. Visit the CommunityWorks website for contact information and to see a list of member organizations.
LOWE’S CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteer program
Eligibility:
Nonprofits and municipalities
Funding used for:
Labor for high-need projects such as building renovations/upgrades, grounds improvements,
technology upgrades, and safety improvements.
Fund description:
Volunteer labor — Lowe’s employees. Check out these
videos of example projects for ideas.
Deadline:
Speak to your local store manager to see if this is a possibility.
FEDERATION OF APPALACHIAN HOUSING ENTERPRISES (Fahe)
Fahe is a 501(c) non-profit network organization with members and partners operating throughout 10 states including WV. They offer peer exchange, training, technical assistance, and access to capital and finance opportunities. Fahe’s Mortgage Lending division, JustChoice Lending, has partnered with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and key lenders such as J.P. Morgan Chase bank to achieve millions of dollars in single-family housing loans. Fahe’s Consulting division works with city governments to improve infrastructure, provide economic development, and neighborhood revitalization. It also has a Community Lending Fund, which offers financing for multi-family housing projects, community facilities, and medical facilities throughout Appalachia. Visit the Fahe website to learn more.
WV HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND
The West Virginia Housing Development Fund work with lenders, realtors, mortgage brokers and credit unions across the state to offer programs targeted at new home buyers.
Eligibility:
Builders and developers
Funding used for:
To buy land and install infrastructure improvements (water, sewer, electric, gas,
streets, storm drainage, etc.) to create subdivision lots and commercial developments
Fund description:
Low, fixed-rate interest loans
Deadline:
Available year-round.
The HOME Rental Program
Eligibility:
Property owners and developers
Funding used for:
Provides construction and/or permanent financing for new multifamily rental developments
or those requiring acquisition and rehabilitation. Projects financed under this
program are expected to receive portions of their funding from equity raised through
the syndication of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits or other leveraging sources.
Fund description:
Interest rates are fixed, and generally below market rate, with loan terms up to
a maximum of 40 years.
Deadline:
Available year-round.
Eligibility:
Low-income families
Funding used for:
To finance the acquisition or construction of affordable single-family housing.
Fund description:
Loan to finance up to 100% of the costs associated with acquisition or construction
of a single-family dwelling.
Deadline: Available year-round.
Community Housing Development Organization Grants (Home CHDO)
Eligibility:
Eligible certified CHDOs that are receiving or expect to receive within 24 months
HOME CHDO set-aside funds under the Fund’s HOME Program.
Funding used for:
Development of housing opportunities for lower-income WV families.
Fund description:
Grants.
Deadline: Annual.
US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Eligibility:
States and state-designated entities
Funding used for:
The production or preservation of affordable housing through the acquisition, new
construction, reconstruction, and/or rehabilitation of non-luxury housing with
suitable amenities.
Fund description:
Grants.
Deadline:
Annual.
Community Development Block Grants (Non-Entitlement) for States and Small Cities
Eligibility:
State-determined eligible units of general local government
Funding used for:
To carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood
revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities and services.
Fund description:
Federal funding grants
Deadline: Annual.
West Virginia Community Advancement and Development Office
Small Cities Block Grant (SCBG)
Eligibility:
Funds are provided only to units of local government, generally counties and municipalities.
Nonprofits, public service districts, utility boards, recreation boards and economic
development authorities are only eligible to receive SCBG funds through a sub-grant
agreement with the unit of local government. The unit of local government must
be the applicant.
Funding used for:
Community development, creation of affordable infrastructure systems and related
programs.
Fund description:
Federal funding grants / technical assistance awards.
Additional information:
Contact the West Virginia Development Office at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-4010.
Deadline: Annual. (call to verify)
Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP)
Eligibility:
Contributing businesses and individuals who donate to NIP-approved 501(c)3 designated
charitable organizations, who can apply for tax credit vouchers and distribute
them.
Funding used for:
Programs and services that support the community.
Fund description:
Tax Credits. The West Virginia Legislature sets aside $2.5 million annually in
state tax credits for the NIP.
Additional information:
Contact the West Virginia Development Office at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-2234.
Deadline:
Annual. (call to verify)
Main Street West Virginia and ON TRAC
Eligibility:
Any traditional, historic downtown or neighborhood commercial district in the state.
Funding used for:
To tackle the complex issue of downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization,
capitalizing on the history and the resources of the community itself.
Fund description: Technical assistance.
Additional information:
Contact Monica Miller, state coordinator, or Marsha Humphrey, assistant state coordinator,
at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-2234.
Deadline:
Applications are taken during specific application periods. Contact the Main Street/ON
TRAC West Virginia office to be placed on the notification list. Information
is automatically sent to every mayor and city clerk.
Land and Water Conservation Fund program (LWCF)
Eligibility:
Units of local government, independent park boards, commissions, districts and
state government.
Funding used for:
Acquisition and/or development of high-quality, public outdoor recreational areas.
Fund description:
50/50 reimbursable matching grants (federal funding)
Additional information:
Contact John McGarrity or Jim Marshall at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-4010
Deadline:
Call to verify
Appalachian Regional Commission
Eligibility:
Public entities (cities, towns, counties, regions, public service districts) and
nonprofit organizations.
Funding used for:
Activities that create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and
improved quality of life.
Fund description:
Federal grants.
Additional information:
Contact the West Virginia Development Office at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-2234.
Deadline:
Annual.
Community Participation Grant Program
Eligibility:
Units of local government, generally counties and municipalities
Funding used for:
Community and economic development projects / meaningful public improvements projects
Fund description:
State grant funds.
Additional information:
Contact Debbie Legg or Kelly Workman at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-4010.
Deadline:
Call to verify.
Local Economic Development (LED) Grant Program
Eligibility:
County development corporations or authorities, A multi-county or regional development
corporation or authority, Regional Planning and Development Councils
Funding used for:
To undertake economic development activities and to complete Certified Development
Community (CDC) program requirements.
Fund description:
Matching state grants, up to $31,008 per county.
Additional information:
Contact the West Virginia Development Office at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-2234
Deadline:
Call to verify.
Certified Development Community (CDC) Program
Eligibility:
Entry into the Certified Development Community program is open at any time to any
community in West Virginia. For the purpose of the program, a community is either
a county or a multi-county region.
Funding used for:
Prepare and equip communities across the state to respond to the needs of existing
and prospective business and industry through the Industrial Park Track or Entrepreneurial
Track.
Fund description:
Technical assistance
Additional information:
Contact the West Virginia Development Office at 800-982-3386, or 304-558-2234
Deadline:
Available year-round.
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA Rural Development offers loans, grants and loan guarantees to support essential services such as housing, economic development, health care, first responder services and equipment, and water, electric and communications infrastructure, as well as technical assistance. For more information, visit the program services page
Eligibility:
Most State and local governments, federally-recognized tribes, non-profits, for-profit
corporations
Funding used for:
The construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, spectrum, land or buildings
used to deploy broadband service for: residential and business customers within
the Proposed Funded Service Area and participating critical community facilities
(such as public schools, fire stations, and public libraries).
Fund description:
Provides broadband access.
Deadline:
Annually in February.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS – PITTSBURGH
Affordable Housing Program (AHP)
Eligibility:
Individuals; partner with a local institution to sponsor your AHP application/project.
Funding used for:
Projects that provide affordable housing to individuals and families whose incomes
are defined as low (51-80% of area median) or very low (50% and below of area median).
Fund description:
Grants
Deadline:
Annually in July/August
Eligibility:
Member financial institutions
Funding used for:
Qualified community and economic development projects that create housing, build
infrastructure, help small businesses and strengthen neighborhoods.
Fund description:
Loans; matching funds at a competitive rate; $825 million noncompetitive revolving
loan pool.
Deadline:
Available year-round.
Eligibility:
First-time homebuyers
Funding used for:
Toward down payment and closing costs on owner-occupied homes.
Fund description:
Grant: for every $1 of contribution the homebuyer makes, the Bank will
provide $3 in grant assistance, up to a maximum of $5,000.
Deadline:
Annual; funding round will open in May and close when funds are exhausted.
Eligibility:
Community team; one member must be a member of FHL Bank Pittsburgh whose service
area includes the Blueprint Community.
Funding used for:
innovative activities, policies or programs implemented that have demonstrated
success in solving community needs.
Fund description:
Grant award.
Deadline:
Annual
ART PLACE
ArtPlace America is a ten-year collaboration among foundations, federal agencies, and financial institutions that works to position arts and culture as a core sector of community planning and development in order to strengthen the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities.
National Creative Placemaking Fund
Eligibility:
Anyone with a project based in the US or US territories
Funding used for:
Creative placemaking projects centered on arts and culture.
Fund description:
Grant up to $500,000
Additional information:
Art Place is hosting a series of webinars in 2016 to talk through the application
process. For more information, visit
the National Creative Placemaking Fund page.
Deadline:
Registration – February, Applications – March.
National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance
The National Forest System Trail Stewardship Partner Funding Program
This program is a collaboration of NWSA and the Forest Service, with American Hiking Society, American Trails, Back Country Horsemen of America, International Mountain Bicycling Association, National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, and the American Motorcyclist Association all participating in the rating and selection of projects. These program funds are provided to trail and stewardship organizations to improve trail maintenance on the National Forest System Trail System.
Eligibility: Any non-profit group recognized by the IRS may
apply for Trail Stewardship Funding
Funding used for:
These grants are for work on any and all National Forest System terra trails.
Fund description:
Grants range from $2,000 - $12,000..
Additional information:
Visit this page for
more eligibility information and application instructions.
Deadline:
March 30th.
AARP
Home Repair Accelerator Grants Program
Eligibility:
Non-profit organizations
Funding used for:
Provide home repair services to low-income 50+ households
Fund description:
Grants
Additional information:
In January 2013, AARP awarded grants ranging from 80,000 to $250,000 to four organizations:
Habitat for Humanity International, Rebuilding Together, Neighborhood of Affordable
Housing, Inc., Greater Lansing Housing Coalition. For more information, visit
the Home Repair Accelerator Grants Program page.
Deadline:
Varies based on available funding.
Eligibility:
Elder homeowners
Funding used for:
Foreclosure prevention counseling session and advice
Fund description:
Technical assistance
Deadline:
Available year-round.
Habitat for Humanity
For information about Habitat for Humanity’s work in your area, please contact one of the affiliate organizations listed here. Also included are locations of their ReStores, which are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope locally and around the world.
AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps)
Eligibility:
Sponsoring organization such as non-profits, local municipalities, state governments,
federal government, national and state parks, Indian tribes, and schools.
Funding used for:
Service projects which address critical needs related to natural and other disasters,
infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy
conservation, and urban and rural development.
Fund description:
Technical assistance
Deadline:
Available year-round.
Job Corps
Eligibility:
At-risk, low-income young men and women
Funding used for:
Career development, training and skills.
Fund description:
Technical assistance
Deadline:
Available year-round.
Regional Resources
Visit our
regional resources page
for organizations specific to your county or area.
For further support, contact your
regional planning and development council.