Landis Memorial Endowment benefits
WV’s Spirit of Philanthropy
In July, Philanthropy WV was deeply saddened by the passing of long-time board member and philanthropy leader, Susan Stevenson Landis, of Beckley, WV. She valiantly led the Beckley Area Foundation as an early board member and then its longtime Executive Director as well as served on state and national organizations for philanthropy, education, the arts, and much more.
In honor of her years of service and improving her home community of Beckley, Raleigh County, and Southern West Virginia as well as her state, Philanthropy WV is working with the Beckley Area Foundation to create the Susan Landis Spirit of Philanthropy Endowment.
This endowment being created at the Beckley Area Foundation with support from West Virginians, philanthropy colleagues, and many others will support Philanthropy West Virginia’s Annual WV Spirit of Philanthropy Awards program. A program that Susan was personally involved and ensured that Philanthropy WV promote our state’s ever growing spirit of philanthropy. The endowment will support the program, securing WV artisan made awards, and providing mini-grants for the honorees to direct to worthy charities in the community philanthropy, arts, education, and community betterment in the state. The initial goal to raise by April 2018 is $10,000.
Philanthropy WV invites any colleagues and peers of Ms. Landis to support the new endowment by making donations for the Susan Landis Spirit of Philanthropy Endowment online at www.bafwv.org or can be mailed to Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main Street Suite 301 Beckley, WV 25801. Please be sure note that your contribution is to be added to this endowment.
“Since Philanthropy West Virginia’s founding in 1993, Susan has played a pivotal role in not only leading the growth and impact of the Beckley Area Foundation, but also Philanthropy West Virginia and being an advisor, encourager in chief, and strategist to numerous community foundations in West Virginia and across the Appalachian region,” shares Paul D. Daugherty, president and CEO of Philanthropy West Virginia. He adds, “We want to permanently honor her service and commitment to growing West Virginia’s spirit of philanthropy for centuries to come. This endowment in partnership with the Beckley Area Foundation will ensure our ability to do so and knowing her spirit of generosity is always with us.”
For more information about the endowment, you may contact the Beckley Area Foundation by calling 304.253.3806, emailing their Executive Director Dena Cushman at dena@bafwv.org , or contacting Philanthropy WV at 304.517.1450.