The Sisters Health Foundation is continuing its mission to support healthier, stronger communities in the Mid-Ohio Valley. At its most recent board meeting, the foundation approved $479,227 in grant funding for 45 nonprofit organizations across West Virginia and southeastern Ohio.
These grants reflect the foundation’s core belief in building “healthy people in healthy communities.”
“We had the opportunity to respond to a wide range of community needs this cycle,” said Executive Director Renee Steffen. “It’s inspiring to see so many organizations focusing on youth and sustainable agriculture. We also provided flexible funding to help groups stay responsive in a rapidly changing world.”
Supporting Basic Needs
Eighteen organizations received a total of $51,850 in Basic Needs/Direct Service grants. These funds will go toward food, hygiene supplies, rent assistance, utility payments, and other essentials for individuals and families in need.
Organizations receiving support include:
- Athens County Pantry (OH): $2,000 for hygiene and cleaning supplies
- Beechwood Presbyterian Church (WV): $3,000 for fresh food
- Old Man Rivers Mission (WV): $5,000 for utility assistance and eye care
- Right Path for Washington County (OH): $3,500 for youth-focused farmers’ markets
- Wirt County Middle School (WV): $1,000 for hygiene and clothing for students
Other grant recipients in this category include churches, food pantries, and support programs assisting low-income families, people experiencing homelessness, and those in recovery.
Advancing Health and Wellness
An additional $427,377 was awarded to 27 organizations working in three key priority areas: Healthy Eating, Active Living, Thriving Neighborhoods, and Mental Health and Addiction.
Healthy Eating, Active Living
Fifteen groups received funding to promote better nutrition and physical activity. Highlights include:
- Roane County PATCH (WV): $20,000 for a year-round vegetable growing project using shipping containers
- Rural Action (OH): $22,000 to expand a youth healthy cooking program
- WVU Parkersburg (WV): $15,000 to support high school students learning sustainable farming through the Farm to School Agrication Program
- GoPacks (OH): $38,000 in flexible operational funding to support child nutrition programs
Other projects include building walking tracks, natural playgrounds, and adaptive sports for people with disabilities.
Thriving Neighborhoods
Five grants were awarded to organizations helping neighborhoods thrive. Examples include:
- Parkersburg Area Coalition for the Homeless (WV): $11,000 for shelter electrical upgrades
- Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OH): $20,000 for free clinic operations
- American Friends Service Committee (WV): $5,000 for advocacy and community leadership development
Mental Health and Addiction
Seven grants focused on mental health and addiction recovery. Notable recipients include:
- Hope House (WV): $20,000 for sober living support for women
- SW Resources (WV): $30,000 for training and employment programs for individuals in recovery
- North Star Child Advocacy Center (WV): $35,000 to expand facilities for abused children
Looking Ahead
For nonprofits hoping to apply in the next grant cycle, proposals for Healthy Eating, Active Living; Thriving Neighborhoods; and Mental Health and Addiction are due by midnight on July 16, 2025.
The foundation serves 11 counties in the Mid-Ohio Valley, spanning Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt, and Wood in West Virginia, and Athens, Meigs, and Washington in Ohio.
Since 1996, Sisters Health Foundation has awarded over $24 million in grants—empowering nonprofits to create lasting change in local communities.
