Parkersburg Area Community Foundation

06/19/2026

In observance of Juneteenth, our office will be closed on Friday, June 19.

We join in honoring this important day of reflection, freedom, and history. Looking to learn more about Juneteenth? Consider visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture's website.

Juneteenth is a time to gather as a family, reflect on the past and look to the future. Discover ways to celebrate this African American cultural tradition of music, food and freedom.

06/18/2026

We’re still celebrating our 2026 scholarship recipients!

Earlier, we shared the exciting news that more than $678,000 in scholarship support was awarded through 313 scholarships across our 11-county service area. Today, we wanted to share even more photos from scholarship award ceremonies and celebrations throughout our communities.

These moments represent the hard work, dedication, and bright futures of students pursuing their educational goals, from graduating seniors and current college students to non-traditional adult learners.

Congratulations again to all of our scholarship recipients, and thank you to the donors, volunteers, counselors, and community partners who help make these opportunities possible.

Parkersburg High School photos were taken by PHS Media Photographer Paityn Davis. Credit for the Parkersburg South High School goes to Photographer Charles Crookshanks.

06/17/2026

The best ideas come from listening. If you're an Executive Director of a nonprofit, please take a moment to share what support, resources, and connections would help you succeed in your role.

✨ Executive Directors: We Want to Hear From You! ✨

Leading an organization is no small task, and your experience matters.

We’ve created a short, anonymous survey to better understand:
✔️ How you’re doing in your role
✔️ The challenges you’re navigating
✔️ What support would be most helpful
✔️ Ideas you have for programs, workshops, or resources

Your feedback will directly shape how we support leaders like you.

🕒 Takes just 5–10 minutes
🔒 Completely anonymous

Survey Link: https://marietta.givepulse.com/survey/take/9Xf513zgATAbFqZeVuUU

Thank you for the incredible work you do every day. We’re here to support you. 💙

06/17/2026

Join us Tuesday, June 23, at 11 a.m. at the PACF office to learn more about the grants process and get your questions answered.

This session is free and open to nonprofits, schools, and community groups in our service area. Registration is requested: https://conta.cc/4vYw4Xz

We’ll cover what happens after you submit an application, where grant funding comes from, and more. This informal session will include light refreshments and plenty of time for conversation.

06/05/2026

The tattoos are temporary, but the love of reading lasts a lifetime! 📖

Amy and Maribeth represented the PACF at the Golden Ticket Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off Event at Jefferson Elementary School. This challenge encourages students to read throughout the summer and exchange Golden Tickets for free books at special summer book fairs.

Learn more at https://woodcountyschoolswv.com/goldenticket.

The Foundation is excited to again work with Wood County Reads, Wood County Schools, and other community partners to inspire a summer full of imagination and books for our area children. 📚

06/05/2026

The Foundation awarded $546,976 to support 57 community-based projects that address critical needs throughout its service area. Many of the awards were celebrated at a Spring Awards Ceremony held at the Foundation’s office on Tuesday, June 2.

Organizations that attended include:
American Red Cross of the Ohio River Valley
Blennerhassett Historical Foundation
Blueprints
Boys & Girls Club of Parkersburg
Building Bridges to Careers
City of Williamstown
Downtown PKB
Humane Society of Parkersburg
Jackson Middle School
Jon Six Food Ministry
Lubeck Volunteer Fire Department
Marietta College
Mission West Virginia
Old Man Rivers Mission
Parkersburg High School
Parkersburg High School Foundation Planetarium Project
Parkersburg South High School
Perfect Purpose Incorporated
The Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley
The Salvation Army
Voices of the Streets, Inc., Essentially Yours
Washington County Career Center
Waverly Volunteer Fire Company
Women's Care Center
WVU Foundation (4H)
YMCA of Parkersburg

06/04/2026

Come see us today at the Golden Ticket Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off Event! 📚

We're proud that one of our fund advisors helps support this wonderful program through their fund at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation. We love seeing charitable funds make a difference by encouraging young readers and creating opportunities for learning all summer long.

We hope to see you there!

Join us for the Golden Ticket Summer Reading Challenge Kick-Off Event on Thursday, June 4, from 4:00–5:00 PM at Jefferson Elementary School!

This FREE event is open to all children in grades PreK–12 and is the perfect way to kick off summer reading. Every child who attends will receive a free book and one extra Golden Ticket!

Enjoy activities and resources from our community partners, including:
🎨 ArtCart
📚 Parkersburg & Wood County Library Bookmobile
📖 Read Aloud West Virginia
💙 The Health Plan
🌱 WVU Extension
🤝 Parkersburg Area Community Foundation

The Golden Ticket Summer Reading Challenge encourages students to read throughout the summer and exchange Golden Tickets for free books at special summer book fairs. Learn more at https://woodcountyschoolswv.com/goldenticket.

We can't wait to see you there and celebrate the start of another great summer of reading! 📚☀️

06/01/2026

📣 The WV Central Federal Credit Union Day of Giving Grant Application opens June 1!

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt, and Wood counties in WV, and Washington County, OH, are encouraged to apply.

🗓 Deadline: August 30, 2026

Learn more and apply through the PACF grant portal and tell us how we can support your mission!

Stewarding donor gifts to meet the needs of area region.

05/28/2026

This year, we awarded more than $678,000 in scholarship support through 313 awards to students across our 11-county service area.

From graduating seniors to current college students to non-traditional adult learners, these scholarships help open doors to new opportunities and brighter futures.

Thank you to the donors, volunteers, counselors, and community partners who make this impact possible.

Congratulations to all of our recipients! If you have photos of your scholarship recipient from an awards ceremony or celebration, feel free to share them in the comments!

05/27/2026

Investing in student success means investing in educators!

Last week, we were honored to present a grant from the O. Eugene and Mary Scott Smith Memorial Fund to Smithville Elementary School. The $2,000 award will support Kindergarten teacher Holli Vaughan as she pursues her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction while continuing to serve her students and community.

👉 Read the full story to learn more!

By linking generations of the region’s caring citizens together and encouraging them to think about what’s best for us all, we can dream bigger and do more