The West Virginia First Foundation has announced the opening of a new grant cycle running from June 1 to June 30, 2026. During this cycle, the Foundation will award up to 18 grants totaling $9.87 million over a three-year period. The Community Catalyst Grant funds will focus on three priority areas: reducing substance use, strengthening public safety responses, and supporting reentry and rehabilitation.
Up to six awards will be given in each of the target areas, with only one award per region. Applications must be submitted by noon on June 30, and each organization can only submit one application. Funding will be distributed over three years, with continued support contingent on annual performance reviews.
According to the Foundation’s Request for Applications, awards for public safety and reentry projects will amount to $166,667 annually, while prevention-focused projects could receive $215,000 annually. Funds will be disbursed quarterly to selected organizations.
Organizations interested in applying must submit questions by May 20, with answers provided by May 26. On that date, the Foundation will also release a grant portal tutorial and FAQ to assist applicants. Successful applicants will be notified by December 31, 2026.
Applications must include details about the organization, a project narrative describing who will be served and how, staffing and capacity information, outreach plans, expected impact, sustainability strategies, and methods for measuring success.
This marks the third official grant cycle since the Foundation was established in 2023 to distribute West Virginia’s share of settlement funds from litigation against drug manufacturers and distributors. To date, nearly $40 million has been allocated to organizations working in the substance use disorder field across the state.
