Address: P.O. Box 265, Buckhannon, WV 26201
Web: www.pallottinebuckhannon.org
Email: krprice@pallottinebuckhannon.org
The Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon is a private foundation established in 2015 by the Pallottine Missionary Sisters with proceeds from the sale of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon, West Virginia, which they opened in 1921. Through the foundation, the Sisters continue their legacy of caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of people living in Barbour, Lewis, Randolph, Upshur, and Webster counties in West Virginia.
The Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon is impelled by the love of Christ to advance transformative initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles within the Buckhannon, West Virginia, community and surrounding areas. The foundation partners with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to provide programming and services that support and promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
The foundation’s five-county service region is nestled between the Appalachian Mountains in North-Central West Virginia and has a total population of just over 90,000. The area is known for its natural beauty, state and national parks, small-town charm, arts, culture, and outdoor attractions like hiking, whitewater rafting, and fishing.
While these counties have experienced some urbanization, they remain largely rural with limited access to health care and support services. Many communities that were once booming have been greatly affected by job losses resulting from a decreased demand for coal and the closing of local mines. Residents in these isolated communities also face additional barriers in accessing food, housing, and transportation. The Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon is committed to meeting the changing needs of the community by partnering with nonprofits that are responsive and serve others with dignity and care.
Program Information:
The foundation’s Healthy Communities Initiative is an annual funding opportunity that supports nonprofit organizations administering health-related programming to address the behavioral, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual needs of the community. Grants also support projects that help grow and develop the nonprofits themselves, improving their internal capacity to work effectively and develop strong finances, leadership, and infrastructure.
Healthy Communities partners receive one-year grant awards up to $25,000 that address one or more of the foundation’s focus areas of food insecurity, health and wellness, spiritual and pastoral care, substance use disorder, tobacco use prevention and cessation, and capacity building. Since its inception, nonprofits in the five-county region have received over $1 million in funding to promote health in their communities.
Financial Information:
Total Assets: $7.2 million (FY24)
Amount Dedicated to Health-Related Grants: $100,000 (FY24)
Special Initiatives and/or Representative Health and Human Services Grants
Catholic Charities West Virginia — Through this grant award, Catholic Charities purchased food items to implement its evidence-based Supporting Wellness at Pantries model at the Webster Springs food pantry. The model categorizes food items using a stoplight system of colors to help clients make healthier choices. ($11,217)
One Unique Recovery House — This capacity-building grant provided new bedding and bath items needed for One Unique Recovery House in Buckhannon to maintain its West Virginia Alliance for Recovery Residences certification. It also used funds to purchase laptops for residents to access educational and employment opportunities. ($8,674.32)
Seneca Health Services — This funding allowed Seneca Health Services to collaborate with Catholic Charities West Virginia to offer a series of family support workshops for Webster County, West Virginia, residents who have been impacted by a loved one’s struggle with substance use or suicide. ($5,025)
Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council (MOVRC) — This grant provided mileage reimbursement to volunteers in MOVRC’s Senior Companion Program throughout the foundation’s service area. Program volunteers visit fellow senior citizens to provide companionship and assistance that enables them to live independently at home. ($8,000)
The Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon and GIH
The Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon is impressed by the responsiveness of GIH’s staff in addressing member needs, connecting members with resources and each other, and educating members about ways to maximize their benefits. The annual conference always includes thought-provoking and timely content, as well as fun networking events. Although the foundation is small, it continues to find GIH’s tools and offerings helpful in executing its daily work.
Most Pressing Concern in the Area You Serve
“Food insecurity is a critical issue in the communities we serve. While we work at the most basic level to provide healthy foods to those in need and to ensure our local food pantries are stocked, we realize much more needs to be done to make a lasting impact. Through our partnerships with nonprofits and other health funders, we work in a more systemic way to improve access to nutritious foods for everyone, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status.”
–Laura Boone, Executive Director, The Pallottine Foundation of Buckhannon
