West Virginia First Foundation Grants

Who Can Apply?

Initial Opportunity Grants are now open to:

• Non-profit organizations that qualify for IRC 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
• Tax Exempt organizations under IRC 115 or other similar organizations that fulfill a charitable or public purpose, excluding for profit entities.
• Organizations with a statewide presence may apply in the region where they are headquartered or where the project will be located.

What Can These Funds Be Used For?

The Foundation has allocated a budget of $19,200,000 for the 2024 Initial Opportunity Grants. Each region will receive $800,000 per Target Area, with up to four awards per Target Area per Region.

Applicants can apply for up to $800,000 in total across all Target Areas. The Foundation may award less than the amount requested by an applicant, and applicants must apply for a minimum amount to be considered.

How To Apply

Notice of Intent to Apply:

While not mandatory, potential applicants are encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply. This notice will remain confidential and does not extend the application deadline.

Application Submission:

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on October 5, 2024, via PDF file transmitted by email to the Foundation Contact, Jonathan Board, at [email protected].

Include all required documents, such as IRS determination letters, articles of incorporation, and financial statements.

Download Application

Review Process:

Applications will be reviewed by the Interim Grant Committee and Expert Panel, and final approval will be made by the Board of Directors.

The scoring rubric includes criteria such as Evidence Based Strategies, Relationship to Foundation’s Strategic Vision, Implementation and Sustainability, Transparency and Fairness, and Impact and Measurability.

Scoring Methodology:

The scoring methodology is divided into five key criteria, each aligned with best practices and evidence-based approaches. Each criterion is weighted to reflect its importance in achieving WVFF’s guiding principles, with the total possible score of 100.

Scoring Rubric:

1. Evidence-Based Strategies (25)
2. Relationship to Foundation’s Strategic Vision (20)
3. Implementation and Sustainability (20)
4. Transparency and Fairness (15)
5. Impact and Measurability (20)

• 25-20: The application clearly outlines a plan to use evidence-based interventions and practices. It includes comprehensive strategies supported by research and data, with a focus on proven methods for reducing SUD and overdose rates.
• 19-15: The application mentions evidence-based strategies but lacks detail or comprehensiveness. Some strategies are well-supported by research, but others are less certain.
• 14-10: The application includes a mix of evidence-based and unproven strategies. Limited detail on how evidence will guide implementation.
• 9-5: The application includes few evidence-based strategies, relying mostly on untested methods.
• 4-0: The application lacks evidence-based strategies and does not reference relevant research or data.

• 20-16: The project outcomes or activities align with WVFF’s mission, vision, and goals of the 2024 Foundation GrantInitial Opportunity Grants. The project description and application provide evidence of this alignment and a clear path towards deploying the funds to achieve such goals. 
• 15-11: The project elements align with WVFF’s mission, vision, or the goals of the 2024 Foundation GrantInitial Opportunity Grants, but not all.
• 10-6: The project is tangentially but not directly related to the WVFF strategic vision or RFP goals.
• 5-1: There is a lack of an explicit relationship between the project and the WVFF vision or RFP goals.

• 20-16: The application provides a clear, realistic plan for implementation with detailed timelines, resource allocation, and stakeholder involvement. It includes strategies for long-term sustainability and ongoing funding.
• 15-11: The application includes a general implementation plan but lacks some details. Sustainability is addressed but not comprehensively.
• 10-6: The application includes an implementation plan with significant gaps or lack of clarity. Sustainability is minimally addressed.
• 5-1: The application provides a vague or incomplete implementation plan with no clear sustainability strategy.

• 15-12: The application outlines a transparent decision-making process with clear criteria for fund allocation. It includes plans for community involvement and regular reporting on progress and outcomes.
• 11-8: The application mentions transparency and fairness but lacks detailed plans. Some elements of community involvement and reporting are present.
• 7-4: The application provides minimal information on transparency and fairness. Limited community involvement and reporting plans.
• 3-1: The application briefly mentions transparency and fairness without providing substantial plans or details.

• 20-16: The application includes clear, measurable goals and outcomes. It outlines specific metrics for tracking progress and evaluating success, with plans for regular data collection and analysis.
• 15-11: The application includes measurable goals but lacks some detail on metrics and evaluation. Plans for data collection and analysis are present but underdeveloped.
• 10-6: The application includes general goals with limited measurability. Plans for tracking and evaluation are unclear or incomplete.
• 5-1: The application provides vague goals with no clear metrics for tracking progress. Minimal plans for evaluation.

Statewide Expert Panel

The Expert Panel Committee of the WVFF nominated these individuals to serve as volunteers on the Statewide Expert Panel to guide decision-making processes for opioid abatement strategies. The areas of expertise covered by the Panel include treatment, prevention, recovery and lived experience, corrections and reentry, systems of care, law enforcement, and first responders.

The establishment of this Expert Panel is a significant step forward in our mission to combat the opioid epidemic in West Virginia. The Panel will not only provide strategic guidance but will also ensure that our efforts are informed by the latest evidence-based practices and the lived experiences of those impacted by addiction. This inaugural term of the Statewide Expert Panel commences immediately and will run to January 1, 2025.

WVFF is committed to making a lasting impact on the opioid crisis through collaborative and innovative approaches. The Board is confident that the expertise and dedication of the appointed members will drive meaningful progress in our fight against this epidemic, and that their local knowledge and expertise will greatly enhance and further expand the effectiveness of the Foundation’s mission, vision, and goals.

For more information and to access application materials, please visit https://wvfirst.org/grants