2018 WV Spirit of Philanthropy Awards Announced

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT:
West Virginia’s Prestigious Spirit of Philanthropy Awards Announced

Contact: Paul D. Daugherty, President & CEO, 304-517-1450 or paul@philanthropywv.org

For more than a decade, Philanthropy West Virginia presents the state’s most prestigious philanthropy award, The West Virginia Spirit of Philanthropy Awards. This year the awards are being presented at its 25th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Conference on November 7th & 8th in Charleston, WV.

2018 marks a record year for the number of honorees who strengthen our state through their investments of resources, leadership, and impact from small towns to big cities. The 2018 West Virginia Spirit of Philanthropy Honorees include:

  • Critical Impact Award: For raising almost $1.5 million over the last two years through their combined efforts, the 2018 Critical Impact Award goes to the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) and the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley (CFOV) for #GiveLocalAmerica Crowdfunding Days each May. The Amazing Raise of CFOV and Give Local MOV of PACF benefit over 150 nonprofit organizations, schools, and civic groups across 14 WV counties. Both organizations strengthen their communities.
  • Volunteer Leadership Award: The 2018 honoree is Mimi Wilson for her personal philanthropic giving and leadership with the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network. Mimi refuses to let the mission of child advocacy centers to be lost and always finds a way to make people pay attention.
  • Lifetime Volunteer Leadership Award: Usha Vasan is being honored for her longtime commitment to the Mid-Ohio Valley community. Serving on the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) Board of Directors for 16 years, Dr. Vasan demonstrates her through her personal giving, co-founding the Vasan Family Center for Philanthropy, and reaching members of the community to which the philanthropic community had not previously been well exposed.
  • Staff Leadership Award: Every kid counts thanks to the Staff Leadership Award recipient: Kim Barber Tieman of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. She was nominated by the WV KIDS COUNT for her advocacy and leadership to sustain and grow the important organization and many other causes.
  • Lifetime Staff Leadership Award: For over 24 years, William “Pat” Getty has improved West Virginia as a trustee and/or president of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. Pat’s leadership and generous soul have helped countless West Virginians across a diversity of issues and communities.

“From West Virginia’s southern counties to the northern panhandle and beyond, this year’s honorees exemplify the BEST of West Virginia, our growth as a state, and our state’s continuous spirit of philanthropy. Their work is strengthening communities and our state for generations to come,” said Paul D. Daugherty, President & CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia.

The public is invited to attending by purchasing tickets or sponsoring a table for the Luncheon & 2018 Spirit of Philanthropy Awards Ceremony. Tickets are $50/person and table sponsors are $500. Proceeds from the awards ceremony and luncheon support the West Virginia Spirit of Philanthropy Endowment providing mini-grants to critical West Virginia organizations and community partners. To reserve a table or ticket, call 304.517.1450, visit: PhilanthropyWV.org, or email: info@philanthropywv.org.

Philanthropy WV is the philanthropic leadership association representing private, family, corporate, community and public grantmaking foundations; corporate giving programs; private philanthropists; and professional advisors. Philanthropy WV is committed to advancing our mission of “Strengthening Philanthropy in the Mountain State”. For more information about Philanthropy WV, visit: www.philanthropywv.org or follow on Twitter and Facebook: @PhilanthropyWV