WV Companies, Foundations & United Ways Unite & Lead on COVID-19 Response

MEDIA RELEASE

West Virginia Companies, Foundations & United Ways hear the Call to Unite & Lead on COVID-19 Response

PRESS CONFERENCE RECORDING / Access Passcode: #Cp1m$VR

Recently, Philanthropy West Virginia hosted a virtual press conference to highlight the collaborative giving of West Virginia companies, foundations and United Ways and their impact on COVID-19 response for nonprofit organizations and citizens across the state.

The press conference included an update on the outcomes from the Take 5 to Give 5 COVID Statewide Match Fund program held in May 2020. This event raised over $510,000 providing a boost into the summer of critically needed funds for nonprofits to support their pandemic response for citizens in all 55 counties.

Speakers included leaders from the COVID Statewide Match Fund collaborators: Toyota, United Bank, Highmark, West Virginia American Water and the Bernard McDonough Foundation.

Additional speakers included leaders from the following foundations, nonprofits, and United Ways: Upshur Cooperative Parish House, the WV United Way Collaborative, United Way of Marion & Taylor Counties, Greenbrier Valley Community Foundation, Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley and Parkersburg Area Community Foundation.

Megan Hannah, Philanthropy WV board member and External Affairs Manager for West Virginia American Water said, “Charitable giving is at the heart of what we do at West Virginia American Water. Being a part of Take 5 to Give 5 was truly an honor for us. We can’t do this if we don’t do it together.”

“We could not have reached nearly the number of people as what was reached by all this giving from Take 5 to Give 5,” said Bob Boone, Philanthropy WV board member and President and Trustee from the Bernard McDonough Foundation. “It proves that when the state is in crisis, people pull together to help those in need.”

All of the speakers noted that as the pandemic continues so does the need for supporting local nonprofits who are providing critical services, care, and support to thousands of citizens grappling with multiple challenges due to COVID-19.   The press conference also announced the importance of December 1, 2020 as Giving Tuesday national campaign encouraging all businesses, foundations, and citizens to donate to support local West Virginia nonprofit organizations as they work to respond to the pandemic and survive the economic downturn.

Philanthropy WV President & CEO Paul D. Daugherty noted the surveys from the WV Nonprofit Association that 90% of the state’s nonprofits are dealing with significant declines in income while at the same time responding to 300 to 400 percent increase in services and needs of our citizens. Daugherty, says “Philanthropy is doing its part to support nonprofits, but critical support is still needed from state leaders.”

If you wish to have the recording from the virtual press conference, please contact Hannah Belt, communication fellow at: communications@philanthropywv.org. For more info, contact: info@philanthropywv.org.