Bridging the Gap to Keep Critical Services Moving
Organizations awarded state grant funding may face a period of time between receiving an award and receiving their first disbursement. For nonprofit organizations providing critical services, that delay can make it difficult to hire staff, purchase supplies, maintain operations, or move a funded program forward.
The West Virginia First Foundation’s Gap Funding Model provides short-term, no-to-low interest loans to eligible West Virginia nonprofit organizations while they await the disbursement of awarded grant funds.
By providing temporary liquidity and operating support, Gap Funding can help organizations begin work on grant objectives, maintain momentum, and ensure important services reach West Virginians without unnecessary delay.
Gap Funding is available to eligible West Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that:
- Have total unrestricted net assets of less than $1 million;
- Can provide proof of a fully executed grant agreement or contract from a West Virginia state government agency;
- Have grant-funded work focused on substance use disorder prevention, treatment, recovery, or related services that align with WVFF’s priority funding areas; and
- Can demonstrate compliance and good standing with applicable local, state, and federal partners.
Applicants must also demonstrate their eligibility to receive the underlying grant funds and meet applicable grant requirements.
The amount of Gap Funding available depends on how the underlying grant is structured.
For lump-sum grants, where the total grant amount is provided up front to the grantee, an organization may request up to 25% of the confirmed grant award, not to exceed $100,000 per applicant per grant.
For grants with a payment schedule, an organization may request up to the amount of the first scheduled payment, not to exceed $100,000 per applicant per grant.
- Gap Funding is structured as a short-term loan.
- No interest will accrue if the loan is repaid within three months of the beginning of the loan term.
- Loans that are not repaid within three months will accrue interest monthly at a 1.5% fixed rate.
- Successful applicants are also required to pay a $500 origination fee prior to disbursement.
Gap Funding cannot be used to bridge, advance, supplement, or otherwise provide interim funding for grants awarded by the West Virginia First Foundation.
This funding model is separate from WVFF’s grant programs and is intended to provide temporary financial support for eligible organizations awaiting disbursement of qualifying state grant funds.
Gap Funding also cannot be used for purposes outside the terms of the underlying grant, outside the allowable uses established by the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or in violation of any applicable local, state, or federal law.
Apply for Gap Funding
Organizations interested in Gap Funding can submit a request through the WVFF Grant Portal at the link below.
As part of the application process, organizations will be required to provide documentation including:
- Proof of a fully executed state contract with clear disbursement terms;
- Documentation demonstrating compliance with grant requirements and eligibility to receive the awarded funds; and
- Audited financial statements or IRS Form 990 for review.
Submission of a request does not guarantee funding. All requests are subject to WVFF eligibility requirements, review, available funding, and approval.