This morning, I heard the term “Halloween creep” which is where retailers are already displaying Halloween decor to get folks “in the spirit” for the season! Incidentally, my local big box stores have had their giant skeleton yard decorations on display since July 4! Perhaps that is a little too soon for my taste, but to each their own. When I think about fall, I think about our conference! And it isn’t too soon to register for Oct. 13-15 in Charleston!
We are finalizing the joint sessions with WVNPA in addition to the outstanding content we have already announce for this year’s conference.
- Policy, Advocacy and Action in Philanthropy + Federal Update with Matthew Evans, VP of Advocacy & External Relations, United Philanthropy Forum
- Count Everyone, Strengthen Communities: Why the Census Matters in West Virginia, Karen Narasaki Senior Advisor Census Funder Collaborative
- Trust-Based Philanthropy Inside the Institution: Navigating Boards, Risk and Accountability with Beth Collins, Executive Director Sisters of St. Joseph Health & Wellness Foundation Adam Sanders, Executive Director Roy & Gwen Steeley Foundation and Ellen Rossi, President EQT Foundation
- Philanthropy’s Response to Disasters with Susie Nelson Executive Director Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
- AI for Philanthropy: Expanding Capacity Without Losing Judgment with Josh Spence CTO and Co-Founder Stitch AI
- How West Virginia’s Ballooning Criminal Legal System Threatens Every Other State Priority Sara Whitaker Senior Criminal Legal Policy Analyst West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy
- Many Paths to Decisions: A Peer Exchange on How Foundations Structure their Grant Process with Marian Clowes Associate Director Sisters Health Foundation, Angi Smith President The Bernard McDonough Foundation and Claire Snyder Senior Program Officer for Learning and Impact Pallottine Foundation of Huntington
- How Philanthropy Can Help Stabilize Those Falling Through Medicaid Gaps with Kim Tieman Vice President and Program Director Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Katie Lemmon-Lightner Medicaid Contract Director Highmark Health Options West Virginia and Sarah Young Deputy Commissioner Bureau for Medical Services West Virginia Department of Human Services
- Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less with Laura Boone Executive Director Pallottine Foundation of Huntington and Buckhannon and Kim Price Director of Communications Pallottine Foundation of Huntington
- Collective Solutions for Child Care with Kristy Ritz Executive Director West Virginia Association for Young Children and Melissa Colagrasso, CEO Rapid Developments, Inc.
- The Mission Beyond the Moment: Succession Planning for Nonprofits with Sarah Gaines BoardWalk Consulting
We are still finalizing the shared afternoon sessions with WVNPA and a few other details, so keep checking the conference page. Early Bird registration discount ends August 15! Register now!
You may recall that our website updates and migration are underway at this time. I’m excited to share that we are going live this weekend! We will be adding new content libraries for members of the Education Affinity Group as well as content for board members.
With gratitude,
Jennifer
Offer from our friends at Exponent Philanthropy
If you’re interested in learning more about Disability Justice, Rights, & Inclusion in Grantmaking our friends at Exponent Philanthropy are offering a virtual program August 26. They are generously extending their member rate of $175 to members of Philanthropy West Virginia. Contact us to get a code! Learn more here!
Philanthropy West Virginia Nominations for Board of Directors
We are accepting nominations here for the Board of Directors. Please submit nominations by August 12, 2026 for the Governance Committee to review.
2026 Spirit of Philanthropy Nominations Due August 31
Nominations for Spirit of Philanthropy Awards in the categories of Critical Impact, Individual Philanthropist and Staff Leadership are now open. Learn more or nominate someone by August 31, 2026. To see a list of previous honorees, please visit our website. We will celebrate the new honorees at the Conference Oct. 14!
Capacity Building for Nonprofits (including Funders!)
Did you see the exciting new pilot project we are introducing with West Virginia Nonprofit Association and the National Council on Nonprofits? Check out the West Virginia Executive Leadership Institute! Learn more about an opportunity for new leaders to build skills unique to the nonprofit and philanthropy sector. A learning cohort is forming now and applications can be made here.