Spirit of Philanthropy Awards

West Virginia is fortunate to have a state of individuals, organizations, and staff who contribute their time, talent and travel to spread the Spirit of Philanthropy. In 2007, Philanthropy West Virginia founded the Spirit of Philanthropy Awards Program to recognize outstanding philanthropic leaders for their generosity in support of their communities, regions, and state.

2025 Honorees

  • Tres Ross, The Ross Foundation – Critical Impact (left)
  • Beth Collins, Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation – Staff Leadership (middle)
  • Marvin E. “Bud” Parsons – Individual Philanthropist (right)

Prior Year Honorees


2024 Honorees

  • Ellen Rossi, President EQT Foundation – Corporate Responsibility
  • NonProfit LEADS, accepted by Shannon Tschopp, Program Director, and Amy Elliot, Director of the Office of Community Engagement, Marietta College – Critical Impact
  • Donna Patrick, Best of Canaan real estate and rental company – Individual Philanthropist
  • Janell Ray, Founding CEO  Pallottine Foundations of Huntington and Buckhannon – Staff Leadership
  • Jimelle Bowen, Executive Director of The James H. and Alice Teubert Charitable Trust – Lifetime Achievement Award

2023 Honorees

  • Kim Weaver, Executive Director of Weirton Christian Center
  • Judith “Judy” Ritchie, Executive Director Emerita of Parkersburg Area Foundation
  • Claudia Raymer and the Ohio County Food Security Team

2022 Honorees

  • No awards were presented for 2022

2021 Honorees

  • Major General Kenneth D. Gray – Lifetime Achievement in Individual Philanthropy
  • Charleston Creativity Connections – Critical Impact Award
  • Robert “Bob” Boone, Bernard McDonough Foundation – Staff Leader Award
  • Reed Byers – Individual Philanthropist Award
  • Elm Grove store of Riesbeck’s Food Markets – Corporate Responsibility Leader

2020 Honorees

  • Beckley Area Foundation COVID-19 Relief Efforts – Critical Impact Award: 
  • Marian Clowes, Parkersburg Area Community Foundation – Staff Leadership Award
  • Billy Atkins – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Star Plastics – Corporate Responsibility Award

2019 Honorees

  • Foundation for the Tri-State (FTSC) – Critical Impact Award
  • America’s Best Communities Huntington Collaborative – Critical Impact Award
  • Jean Clark, Preston County, WV and Board Member of Your Community Foundation of North Central WV – Volunteer Leader
  • C.J. Kaiser, Wheeling, WV and long-time board member of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley – Lifetime Achievement Volunteer Leader
  • Dominion Energy and Inaugural Award recipient – Corporate Responsibility Leader
  • Tamara Mullins, Nicholas County Community Foundation – Staff Leader
  • Sheri Ryder, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation – Lifetime Achievement Staff Leader

2018 Honorees

  • Parkersburg Area Community Foundation – Critical Impact Award
  • Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley – Critical Impact Award
  • Mimi Wilson of the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network’s Board of Directors – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Dr. Usha Vasan – Lifetime Volunteer Leadership Award 
  • Kim Barber Tieman of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation – Staff Leadership Award
  • William “Pat” Getty, retiring president of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation – Lifetime Staff Leadership Award

2017 Honorees

  • Conrad Cooper – Volunteer Leader – Adult
  • Homes for White Sulphur Springs – Critical Impact Award
  • Erin Hurst – Staff Leadership Award
  • Roark Sizemore – Volunteer Leader – Youth

2016 Honorees

  • Beckley Area Foundation’s Gift Acceptance Committee – Critical Impact Award
  • Diane Hinkle – Staff Leadership Award
  • William “Bill” Hogan – Volunteer Leadership Award

2015 Honorees

  • Dr. Chip Pickering – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Try this Mini-Grant Collaborative – Critical Impact Award
  • Erin Clemens – Staff Leadership Award
  • Dr. James “Jim” Denova – Lifetime Achievement – Staff Leadership

2014 Honorees

  • Michael Cavendish – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • W. Randy Smith Center – Critical Impact Award
  • Becky Ceperley –  Staff Leadership Award

2013 Honorees

  • Mary Lou Haley – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Parkersburg Area Community Foundation – Critical Impact Award
  • Susie Nelson – Staff Leadership
  • David Ziegler – Lifetime Achievement Award

2012 Honorees

  • Richard Jarrell – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Sr. Jane Harrington, CSJ – Staff Leadership Award
  • Women’s Giving Circle of CFOV – Critical Impact Award

2011 Honorees

  • Arlene Kuryla – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Tucker Community Foundation – Critical Impact Award
  • Mary Witten Wiseman – Staff Leadership Award

2010 Honorees

  • Sarah Minear – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • J.B. Chambers Charitable Foundation – Critical Impact Award
  • Judy Sjostedt – Staff Leadership

2009 Honorees

  • Patty Bright – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Mullens Project – Critical Impact Award
  • Amy Owen – Staff Leadership

2008 Honorees

  • Mariwyn Smith – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Foundation for the Tri-State Community – Critical Impact Award
  • Susan Landis – Staff Leadership Award

2007 Honorees

  • Warren A. Thornhill – Volunteer Leadership Award
  • Parkersburg Area Community Foundation – Critical Impact Award

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