General FAQs

In May 2023, the West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF) was formally established to manage a share of opioid settlement funds outlined in the MOU. As a private nonprofit, WVFF oversees the long-term, evidence-based distribution of these funds across six regions to support prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts statewide. The remaining shares are outlined as follows:

• 72.5% of the funds are managed by WVFF, a private nonprofit charged with overseeing the long-term, evidence-based distribution of opioid settlement dollars across six regions. The Foundation supports prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives through strategic grantmaking and statewide planning.
• 24.5% of the funds are distributed directly to Local Governments, providing them with flexible resources to meet urgent community needs. These funds are separate from those administered by the Foundation, though WVFF is responsible for collecting and reporting on local expenditures annually.
• 3% of the funds are allocated to the Office of the West Virginia Attorney General, supporting statewide enforcement, compliance, and coordination efforts. These funds are also separate from the Foundation’s oversight.

The funds allocated from the Qualified Settlement Fund (QSF) to the Local Governments and Attorney General do not pass through WVFF; they flow directly from the QSF to the Local Governments and Attorney General. WVFF does not oversee how Local Governments use their 24.5% share; however, WVFF is responsible for collecting data and reporting those expenditures in accordance with the MOU.

WVFF is not a government entity; it is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established through a state agreement to manage opioid settlement funds and operates independently of state government.

• Region 1 – Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel Counties
• Region 2 – Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral, Berkeley, Jefferson, Pendleton and Morgan Counties
• Region 3 – Wood, Tyler, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt, Calhoun, Roane and Jackson Counties
• Region 4 – Monongalia, Braxton, Lewis, Harrison, Marion, Preston, Taylor, Tucker, Barbour, Randolph, Gilmer, Doddridge and Upshur Counties
• Region 5 – Cabell, Clay, Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam, Mason, Mingo and Wayne Counties
• Region 6 – Fayette, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Nicholas, Webster, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Mercer, Wyoming and McDowell Counties

Our funding comes from opioid settlement agreements with manufacturers, distributors, and other companies involved in the opioid crisis.

WVFF is responsible for managing, awarding, and reporting settlement funds for approved projects. We do not oversee how local governments spend their direct allocations but are responsible for collecting and reporting their expenditures.

Eligible applicants may include nonprofit organizations, government entities, and community-based initiatives focused on evidence-based prevention, treatment, recovery, and other approved uses outlined in the West Virginia First Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Funding decisions are made through a structured review process that includes expert panel recommendations and board approval, guided by the priorities outlined in the MOU.

No. WVFF funds organizations and initiatives that serve communities; we do not provide direct financial assistance to individuals.

WVFF publishes an annual Qualified Settlement Fund (QSF) Expenditure Report, available on our website here, detailing local government reporting.

Please visit our Contact Us page and submit the appropriate form. This allows us to respond efficiently and direct your request to the right team member.