The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and Regional Affiliates (PACF) aims to foster a positive and lasting impact on the community through collaboration with individuals, families, businesses, and civic or nonprofit organizations. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, PACF oversees nearly 500 charitable funds initiated by community members, seeking to provide leadership and develop philanthropic resources across an 11-county service area. Since its inception in 1963, the Foundation has been dedicated to improving the collective future by inspiring philanthropy, connecting people with opportunities to make a difference, addressing key issues, and delivering impactful results for the area's residents.
The Community Action Grants program of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) engages in a competitive process to match community needs with grants from the Foundation's Unrestricted and Field of Interest Funds. PACF supports projects across various fields including Arts and Culture, Education, Health and Human Services, Recreation, Youth and Family Services, and Community and Economic Development, focusing on Capital and Equipment Projects, Program Development, Capacity Building, and Operating Support. Grants can go up to $15,000, with an average grant of $5,000. Specific to Doddridge and Ritchie Counties, the Foundation offers unique funding for academic and educational development. Projects that significantly impact communities, reach new audiences, strengthen organizational capacity, are well-planned, seek to leverage additional funds through matching grants, and have limited access to other funding sources receive priority, especially in counties where PACF operates as the sole community foundation.