Ohio River Valley Participatory Fund
The Ohio River Valley Participatory Fund supports groups serving northern Appalachian communities that have been adversely impacted by the fossil fuel industry. This intermediary fund is deeply rooted in the region, housed at the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, and guided by a Steering Committee of nonprofit leaders.
The Fund provides grants to nonprofit groups that are helping impacted communities address environmental, health, democracy, justice, movement-building, and economic development goals. Current grant offerings are focused on small to medium-sized groups working in eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.
General Operating Support Grants
These grants help support programs, projects, and capacity-building of organizations serving impacted communities in eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia. The Fund currently is accepting applications between June 14-July 31, 2024 for general operating support grants. A second application round may open in early fall 2024, pending funding availability; check here for updates.
Rapid Response Grants
Rapid response small grants help address emergency needs of organizations serving impacted communities in eastern Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia. Requests will be considered on a rolling basis.
Regional Leadership
As a participatory fund, grantmaking and governance are guided by regional leaders who help the Fund respond to the needs and priorities of impacted communities and regional coalitions. The 2024 Steering Committee includes Autumn Crowe, West Virginia Rivers Coalition; Bishop Marcia Dinkins, Black Appalachian Coalition; Gillian Graber, Protect PT; Michael Parker, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services; and Shannon Smith, FracTracker Alliance.
Fund Supporters
The fund gratefully acknowledges its supporters, including The 11th Hour Project, the Argosy Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, the MacArthur Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and the Myles D. and J. Faye Sampson Family Foundation.
Questions?
If you have general questions about the Fund, about your organization’s eligibility, or if you need accommodations in order to apply, please contact orvpf@cfalleghenies.org.
If you need technical assistance with the grant application system, please contact ewood@cfalleghenies.org.
Support the ORVP Fund
The Ohio River Valley Participatory Fund gratefully accepts grants and donations through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.
Contributions support the Fund’s grantmaking to nonprofits serving impacted communities in northern Appalachia. Funder inquiries may be directed to orvpf@cfalleghenies.org. To make an online donation click HERE.
