Free funder guide · West Virginia · Last checked 16 October 2026
Which West Virginia environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in West Virginia have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 12 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in West Virginia that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Open doors are not the same as open money for conservation groups, though. Of the 83 open West Virginia foundations, 34 made an environmental grant in their latest filing, and most of those (23 of the 34) also gave to a church, a YMCA, a faith-based school or another religious group. After I read every remaining grant list, two West Virginia private foundations are on this list.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In West Virginia, 82 of the 165 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 50%.
That leaves 83 larger West Virginia foundations that say they will read an application. It is a lower share of closed doors than in any neighboring state: Ohio (63%, 925 of 1,470), Virginia (71%, 586 of 820), Pennsylvania (72%, 1,675 of 2,336) and Kentucky (75%, 246 of 330), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a West Virginia address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (mostly tax year 2025). Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Counting them too gives 52% (96 of 184).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
12 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in West Virginia.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Government programs are the exception: they file no tax return. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 16 Oct 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedRolling applications any timeFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm first
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund
Charleston · statewide
State money to protect land: wildlife habitat, natural areas, working forests and farmland, and places to hunt, fish and recreate. Applicants must be nonprofits registered in West Virginia whose mission includes acquiring land or easements for conservation (in practice, land trusts), or the state forestry and natural resources divisions; other groups can join as partners.
Typical grant
Small grants of $5,000 to $25,000 for due diligence and stewardship; large grants over $25,000 need at least a 25% committed match. Up to $700,000 in total in the 2026 round (its site and technical assistance manual).
Next deadline
2026 round: applications accepted through October 31, 2026 Verified.
How to apply
Complete the eligibility assessment first, then apply following the technical assistance manual linked from the fund's page.
West Virginia DEP: Nonpoint Source (Section 319) Watershed Projects
Charleston · statewide
Federal Clean Water Act money for watershed projects that reduce polluted runoff, usually built around an approved watershed plan. WVDEP urges eligible groups, including watershed associations, to work with their regional basin coordinator on the proposal.
Typical grant
Up to 60% of total project cost, with a 40% non-federal match (its site).
Next deadline
Proposals are due May 1 each year. Next: May 1, 2027 Verified.
How to apply
Develop the proposal with your regional basin coordinator, then submit to WVDEP by May 1 following its program guidelines.
West Virginia Division of Forestry: Community Tree Grants
Charleston · statewide
Federal pass-through grants for managing urban trees on public land, open to municipalities, public schools and nonprofits. Applicants must register as state vendors.
Typical grant
Up to $50,000 per application, with no local match (its site).
Next deadline
Continuous, while funds last Rolling.
How to apply
Online application; the division asks applicants to email its urban forestry staff before applying and to check the eligibility map.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program
Washington, DC · central Appalachia, including most of West Virginia
Voluntary restoration of forests, grasslands, rivers and streams for native wildlife in central Appalachia: young and mature forest management, reforesting mine lands, stream barrier removal and riparian buffers, and support for conservation collaboratives.
Typical grant
$75,000 to $500,000 (2026 request for proposals). West Virginia grant in NFWF's filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Friends of the Cheat $86,042 (restoring fish passage on the Cheat River).
Next deadline
About July 2027 Expected. The 2026 full proposals were due July 16, 2026; the 2027 request is not posted yet.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants
Washington, DC · Potomac basin in the Eastern Panhandle and eastern West Virginia
Grants for on-the-ground projects that protect and restore water quality, species and habitat in the Bay watershed, and smaller grants for planning, design and assessment that lead to future projects.
Typical grant
Implementation grants $150,000 to $750,000; planning and technical assistance grants up to $150,000 (2026 request for proposals). West Virginia grants in NFWF's filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Rolling Ridge Conservancy $173,143 (forest and grassland along the Shenandoah), Cacapon and Lost Rivers Land Trust $157,025 (trout and mussel habitat).
Next deadline
The 2026 proposals were due April 2, 2026; the 2027 request is not posted yet. About April 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system following the request for proposals.
Parkersburg Area Community Foundation: Community Action Grants
Parkersburg · 10 counties in the Mid-Ohio Valley, plus Washington County, Ohio
The foundation's competitive grant program for nonprofits in Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and Wood counties and Washington County, Ohio. Environment and conservation is one of its funding fields.
Typical grant
Award size is not published. Recent grants include Friends of Mountwood Park $1,500 (a nature and conservation camp for children) (its site).
Next deadline
Twice a year, March 15 and September 15. The September 15, 2026 round has closed. Next: March 15, 2027 Verified.
How to apply
Online application through the foundation's grant portal; its FAQ page explains the fields of interest.
Beckley Area Foundation: Environmental Field of Interest Funds
Beckley · West Virginia, with a Raleigh County preference
Three donor funds for environmental work, opened together each June: the Buckner Woodford Clay III Memorial Fund (environmental preservation in West Virginia, Raleigh County preferred), the Nancy R. Smith Family Fund (environmental and wildlife protection) and the Thomas W. Jarrett Memorial Fund (environmental causes in Raleigh County). Nonprofits, public schools and towns can apply.
Typical grant
In 2026: $27,000 available from the Clay fund, $12,000 from the Smith fund and $3,500 from the Jarrett fund (its site).
Next deadline
Once a year; the 2026 window ran June 1 to 30, 2026 and has closed. Next about June 1 to 30, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through the foundation's grant portal during the June window.
General grants for nonprofits and charitable projects across its region; environment and conservation is one of the fund areas it lists. It also makes small out-of-cycle grants for urgent needs.
Typical grant
No cap on requests; anything over $5,000 needs detailed tracking and reporting plans. In 2025 it made 66 grants totaling $170,612, counting its Tucker County Giving Circle (its site). Out-of-cycle grants up to $1,000.
Next deadline
Once a year, in late September; the 2026 cycle closed September 18, 2026. Next about late September 2027 Expected. Out-of-cycle requests any time Rolling.
How to apply
General grant application form on its grants page; notifications come by mid-November.
A foundation that funds groups addressing harm from energy development in the region: watershed and river protection, stream restoration, public lands and clean energy work.
Typical grant
Nine grants in its 2024 filing, $12,000 to $50,000. Examples: Canaan Valley Institute $50,000 (stream crossings), Friends of the Cheat $40,000, West Virginia Rivers Coalition $25,000, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy $15,000.
Next deadline
Two cycles a year. Expressions of interest are due February 1 (spring) and July 1 (fall); invited full applications April 1 and September 1. Next: February 1, 2027, 5 p.m. Verified.
How to apply
Online expression of interest first; ASF invites some groups to send a full application, with an audit and IRS determination letter.
Its listed website does not load; everything here comes from its 2024 tax filing. A small foundation giving mostly to West Virginia environmental and river groups.
Typical grant
Nine grants totaling $85,000 in 2024. Conservation examples: West Virginia Rivers Coalition $15,000, Friends of Blackwater $10,000, West Virginia Environmental Council $7,000, Coal River Mountain Watch $5,000.
Next deadline
Not stated; the filing refers to application instructions that are not in the public record Filing only.
How to apply
Write to Wayne P. Dunn, 968 Chesterville Road, Mineral Wells, WV 26150, and ask for the grant application and instructions.
Boynton Beach, FL · national, with West Virginia grants
Its listed website does not load; everything here comes from its tax filing for the year to November 2024. It gives primarily for environmental, animal and wildlife protection, with regular grants in the Morgantown area.
Typical grant
21 grants totaling $111,000. West Virginia examples: Coopers Rock Foundation $5,000, Mon River Trails Conservancy $5,000, Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia $5,000, The Nature Conservancy West Virginia $5,000, West Virginia Botanic Garden $2,500.
Next deadline
None Filing only.
How to apply
A letter setting out the purpose in detail, to William Manikas, Trustee, 629 E. Ocean Ave., Suite 307, Boynton Beach, FL 33435.
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
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