Education Affinity Group

Philanthropy West Virginia’s Education Funders Affinity Group (EAG) is a collaborating and peer networking forum for national, state, and local funders, corporations, United Ways, and donors interested or investing in education at all levels in West Virginia, central Appalachia, and rural America. 

Join your fellow grantmaking foundations, corporations, private donors, and United Ways  interested or investing in education at all levels to advance your giving’s impact, collaborate, and share information and best practices in advancing education success in the Mountain State and central Appalachia.

The Education Funders Affinity Group (EAG) is made up of Philanthropy WV members interested in or investing in education through grants and scholarship programs, and general giving.  Participants are all grantmaking foundations (private, family, community, or corporate), United Ways, corporate giving programs, and/or individual philanthropists.

For an overview of the EAG and our top funder collaborative priorities, check out our overview HERE!

This affinity group is for Philanthropy WV members. If you wish to find out more about Philanthropy WV and the Education Funders Affinity Group, please contact our Director of Membership Engagement, Nina Riivald, at nina@philanthropywv.org
 History:  Philanthropy West Virginia formed the EAG in 2015 then chaired by Dr. Jim Denova, Vice President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.  From 2017 to present date, Stephanie Hyre, Senior Program Officer of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and Adam Sanders, President of the Roy & Gwen Steeley Foundation became co-chairs of the Education Affinity Group.  The EAG meets quarterly at different locations in the state with different education expert presenters to identify areas for improving education, collaborative grantmaking, and/or policy/education development in the state of West Virginia.  Some of the EAG Members include:
  • Beckley Area Foundation
  • Boone County Community Foundation
  • Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
  • Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley
  • Dominion Energy
  • Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation
  • Charles & Mary Fayne Glotfelty Foundation
  • The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
  • Maier Foundation
  • Mylan Charitable Foundation
  • Nicholas County Community Foundation
  • Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates
  • Roy & Gwen Steeley Foundation
  • United Way of Central West Virginia
  • Your Community Foundation of North Central WV

Check out this Rural Matters podcast episode focused on rural education partnerships in West Virginia.