Hinton Area Foundation

08/31/2026

Thanks for the article, The Real WV !

PRESS RELEASE HINTON, WV — The Hinton Area Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 Learning Innovation Mini-Grants and Making a Difference

08/31/2026

As Make a Will Month comes to a close, this photo of my mom and me feels especially appropriate.

When I think about legacy, I don't immediately think about money or possessions. I think about people. I think about family, the things we pass from one generation to another, and the things we hope will continue long after us.

That's why there's one more question I'd like to leave you with: What do you want your legacy to say?

Estate planning isn't only about deciding who receives your belongings. It's an opportunity to say what mattered to you.

Maybe it's making sure your children or grandchildren are cared for. Maybe it's keeping a family home in the family. Maybe it's supporting an organization you've believed in for years.

Or perhaps it's leaving something behind for the community you call home.

A charitable gift can be part of your estate plan, too. It doesn't have to be large. A specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or whatever remains after your loved ones are provided for can create a lasting impact.

Through the Hinton Area Foundation, a planned gift can become a resource for the people, places and causes you care about—sometimes for generations to come.
And there's a resource available to help you take that step: Ziegler & Ziegler will waive their fee for will or estate planning preparation for anyone who leaves at least $5,000 to the Hinton Area Foundation.

You don't have to decide today what your legacy will be.

But you can start by asking: What matters most to me? And how do I want that to continue?

That's what thoughtful estate planning is really about.

Don't leave your family guessing. Make your wishes—and your legacy—clear.

08/28/2026

Introducing the Halidon Community Cemetery Funds at the Hinton Area Foundation. ❤️

Halidon is more than a name. It is a piece of Summers County history. The Halidon community once had its own post office, established in 1879, and generations of local families have been laid to rest in Halidon Community Cemetery. Now, a new fund at the Hinton Area Foundation established by the caretakers of the cemetery will help ensure this special place continues to be cared for and preserved for generations to come.

A cemetery is more than grass and headstones. It is where our family stories live. It is where we go to remember the people who came before us. HERE’S THE THING: the cemetery needs some work. The headstones have fallen, fencing needs mended, and the road needs repaired.

A perpetual care fund has been established, and a pass-through fund has also been established as a fundraising vehicle for these repairs.

You can donate to either the perpetual care endowed fund OR the Pass-through fund on our website:
https://godonate.akoyago.com/hintonareafoundation/fund/bfbc7753-3490-f111-8076-70a8a5b02846

https://godonate.akoyago.com/hintonareafoundation/fund/7b095bda-3390-f111-8076-70a8a5b02846

08/28/2026

It's Fall Grant season!

NEXT week at 9am on September 1st, 2 of our Competitive Grant applications will open. And this year, we have some exciting news. Our application process has been moved FULLY ONLINE! No more PDFs to fool with!

The Learning Innovation Fund Teacher-Mini Grant provides educational grants valued up to $500 to Summers County Pre-K–12 classroom teachers. Funded projects must be innovative, benefit students directly, and include clear educational goals. Grants cannot be used for salaries, stipends, or staff awards.

Follow the link on our website to create your account and log-in to our Grant Application portal, GOapply. NOTE: to apply for the Learning Innovation Fund mini grant, you MUST register as an individual and NOT an organization.

Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions or concerns! Share to help us spread the word!

08/24/2026

Your will is only part of your estate plan.

The way your home and other property are titled, along with the beneficiaries you've named on retirement accounts, life insurance and other financial accounts, can affect where those assets go.

This can be especially important if you're married, have children from a previous relationship, or want to leave something to someone who isn't your legal heir.

It's easy to think, "My family knows what I want. They'll take care of it." But your family shouldn't have to guess.

So this month, ask yourself: Do my will, my property deeds and my beneficiary designations all tell the same story?

If you're not sure, that's a good reason to talk with an estate-planning attorney. You don't have to figure it all out yourself.

And for those considering a charitable legacy, there's a resource we'd like you to know about: Ziegler and Ziegler will waive their fee for will or estate planning preparation for anyone who leaves at least $5,000 to the Hinton Area Foundation.

At Hinton Area Foundation, we're sharing information this month to encourage thoughtful planning—not to give legal advice, but to help you think about the people and causes that matter most to you.

A little planning now can give your family a lot more clarity later.

08/21/2026

Executive Director, Sheila Pillath, had the opportunity to meet with State Treasurer Larry Pack, State Senator Vince Deeds and State Delegate Roy Cooper this week at REACHH to discuss needs and action steps to better serve families in Summers County.

08/18/2026

August is Make a Will Month.

I know—not exactly the easiest conversation to start.

But this is a topic I take seriously because I've experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to make decisions when you're left wondering what someone would have wanted.

It's easy to think, "My family knows what I want. They'll take care of it."

But what happens when they're left guessing?

Your family shouldn't have to guess.

A will isn't about how much you have. It's about making your wishes clear and giving the people you love the gift of knowing what you wanted.

And a will is only part of the picture. How your home and other property are titled, along with the beneficiaries named on financial accounts and insurance policies, can also affect what happens to what you've worked hard to build.

As the new Executive Director of the Hinton Area Foundation, I'm not an estate-planning attorney, and I won't be giving legal advice. But I do believe strongly in helping our community understand the importance of thoughtful planning—and the opportunity that estate planning can provide to create a lasting charitable legacy.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing information about wills, estate planning and legacy giving. No scare tactics. No judgment. Just information to help you take care of the people and things that matter most.

If you don't have a will, maybe August is the month to start.

Don't leave your family guessing.

08/05/2026

📣 The Hinton Area Foundation welcomes Sheila Pillath as its new Executive Director!

A Summers County native and Hinton High School graduate, Sheila brings decades of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience to the Foundation. She is excited to return home and partner with donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to build on the great work already happening throughout Summers County.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve my hometown community through the Hinton Area Foundation," said Pillath. "I believe philanthropy has the power to bring people together, inspire hope, and create opportunities that benefit generations to come."

Please join us in welcoming Sheila to the Hinton Area Foundation as we continue connecting generous donors with the causes that matter most to our community.

Learn more: 🌐 hintonareafoundation.org

07/26/2026

The rally is underway! Thank you to these generous participants for their donations toward our cause - I saw lots of patrons supporting our Summers County Service Club in their coffee/taco/pancake sales this morning too.

This is Economic Development for our area - thanks to 24 Hours of Appalachia // Backroads of Appalachia!! Give them a follow to stay up to date! 🤩