By Kenzie Dye
Photo by Coalfield Development
Navigating the complex landscape of economic issues and societal challenges requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Philanthropy, though not always the first solution that comes to mind, plays a crucial role in addressing these multifaceted issues.
Broadband
In addition to the work Generation West Virginia (GWV) does to address workforce issues, the organization also focuses on broadband initiatives.
“We work to secure state and federal funding to connect communities throughout West Virginia,” says Alex Weld, executive director of GWV. “Broadband and workforce issues go hand in hand as high-speed internet is essential for both companies and remote employees.”
Weld recalls one of these notable initiatives, a partnership with the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation in 2019.
“Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Benedum collaborated with us to enhance broadband infrastructure,” she says. “Since then, we’ve helped communities obtain over $68 million in funding for new fiber construction, thanks to support from Benedum and the Just Transition Fund.”
Education In June 2023, the West Virginia University (WVU) at Parkersburg Foundation received a $10 million gift from a family foundation to purchase a closed higher education institution in Vienna, WV.
“This gift allows us to address several economic issues,” says Torie Jackson, president of WVU Parkersburg. “We will use the facility to create a branch campus called the WVU Parkersburg Innovation and Technology Center (ITC).”
This facility will house computer science and computer information technology degrees, as well as the Bachelor of Applied Technology degree for the college. The foundation is renovating the building and will gift it to the college. The ITC will be an educational institution as well as a place for business locations and co-working spaces. The foundation’s purchase enables the college to fulfill its mission to be a community partner because it addresses needs such as housing, daycare and workforce development.
Adam Sanders, president of the Roy & Gwen Steeley Foundation, emphasizes the importance of community and technical colleges when discussing education.
“While we value education, we place more emphasis on community and technical colleges (CTC) compared to four-year institutions,” he says. “There’s a real job at the end of graduation from CTCs, often at a much lower cost.”
This approach aligns with local employment demands, providing immediate opportunities for graduates. Recognizing the potential of federal and national grants, the Steeley Foundation assists local nonprofits and schools in securing these funds. Often, they lack awareness, grant writers and matching requirements.
“We’ve provided match funding, such as the $1 million USDA grant for Morgan County public schools,” Sanders says. “This initiative has turned $300,000 of our funds into $3 million for the community.”
Childcare is one issue related to education that is often neglected. The region faces a deficit of 5,300 childcare slots, impacting 32% of the eligible child population. Sanders touches on the severity of this issue in West Virginia.
“The state’s restrictive policies make it difficult for daycare centers to be profitable,” he says. “We’re the worst of the 50 states regarding childcare policies, hindering our ability to effect change without state intervention.”
Advantage Valley is making an effort to address this by launching a series of 12 childcare startup workshops to support new providers.
Health Care
Sisters Health Foundation mostly focuses its efforts within the health care space, but the foundation’s initiatives also intersect with housing and workforce issues.
“We support partners working to prevent housing evictions,
acknowledging that not having adequate housing directly impacts one’s mental and physical health and ability to maintain employment,” says Renee Steffen, executive director of Sisters Health Foundation.
To address behavioral health workforce shortages in the Mid-Ohio Valley, the foundation supports a paid internship partnership between WVU and Westbrook Health Services for students studying counseling and social work. This initiative is crucial as it provides hands-on experience to students while addressing a critical workforce gap.
Collaborative efforts within the state have also led to impactful initiatives. Health-related foundations in West Virginia have launched central kitchens to prepare nutrient-dense meals for childcare centers and other organizations, benefiting both the local economy and health of local children.
Steffen highlights the continued need to reduce transportation barriers and support mental health, especially when it comes to high-risk youth. The foundation recently helped expand the Routes to Recovery program, providing non-emergency medical transportation and employment for people in recovery, demonstrating its holistic approach to health and community support.
“The Division of Community Health in Family Medicine at the School of Medicine has served as the academic partner with funding from the Benedum Foundation,” says Deb Koester, assistant professor and director of the division of community health at Marshall Health.
This innovative approach integrates a community health worker-based care management model into practice settings to address both social and health-related needs. Marshall Health has also introduced a model benefiting high-risk youth by integrating a high-risk youth specialist community health worker in school-based health centers. This initiative not only builds a new workforce but also addresses critical health care needs, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Sisters Health Foundation and Marshall Health’s efforts, strengthened by philanthropic support, exemplify how integrating community health workers into health care teams can drive substantial improvements in public health and workforce development.
Housing
“Over the past three years, there have been announcements of very significant investments in our region,” says Terrell Ellis, president and CEO of Advantage Valley, Inc. “Nucor Steel, Berkshire Hathaway Energy and Titanium Metals Corporation, among others, are projected to create 5,359 direct and 17,506 indirect jobs leading to 13,000 new households.”
To accommodate this growth, Advantage Valley has identified critical barriers to employment, focusing on childcare, transportation and affordable housing. Ellis highlights a regional housing study commissioned to assess and improve housing availability and affordability. The study revealed 28.2% of employers indicated difficulty in attracting or retaining employees due to housing issues and 69% of employers were likely to employ more people if additional housing was built.
Transportation remains a challenge throughout rural areas in the state. Of the nine counties in the region, only Cabell and Kanawha have public transportation.
“Some of our largest job announcements and investments are in the more rural counties with no public transportation,” Ellis says. “We must find a way to transport people from our urban neighborhoods that have the highest concentrations of poverty and minority residents to where the jobs are located.”
Advantage Valley is working to develop an integrated system of providers to serve the region with a goal of completing a plan to expand transportation assets for job seekers in the region. This strategy will leverage traditional and nontraditional providers, such as on-demand, private Uber-type services.
The WVU Parkersburg Foundation partnered with the Wood County Development Authority to create a strategic plan for development of the property to meet community needs. Its purchase of the closed higher education property included 255.22 acres, which will provide space for additional housing in the Vienna and Wood County areas.
Workforce
“Workforce development has been our bread-and-butter focus for 14 years,” says Jacob Hannah, CEO of Coalfield Development Corp.
The organization’s approach integrates training in construction with higher education, providing a three-year supported commitment to trainees. This model not only addresses workforce development but also tackles housing issues, as the organization is a licensed general contractor renovating affordable housing and mixed-use properties.
One of Coalfield Development’s initiatives is the Solar Professional Accelerated Training and Hiring (PATH) program, recently completed in Charleston.
“Solar PATH offers training on the ins and outs of the industry, wrap-around support and barrier removal,” says Hannah. “Graduates have the opportunity to shadow and apply with local solar companies and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, which enhances their employment prospects.”
The impact has been substantial, with 168 people trained in sustainable sectors as of May 2024. However, Hannah notes that there is still work to be done in capacity building for local communities to function sustainably and leverage resources.
Coalfield Development continues to collaborate with local partners to identify and implement sustainable solutions, aiming to address both immediate workforce needs and long-term community resilience.
At GWV, efforts are focused on job training, placement and retention programs. These programs are all built around supporting young West Virginians with key skills and career opportunities, ensuring they thrive in the Mountain State.
“By 2030, Millennials and Generation Z will make up 65% of the nation’s workforce, making our efforts crucial for West Virginia’s future,” says Weld.
GWV’s workforce programs include NewForce, a tech training program; the Career Connector, a talent recruitment and job placement program; and the GWV Fellowship, a retention and growth program for young professionals.
Through its efforts, GWV has trained 186 workers, placed 169 into jobs and seen 139 complete retention programs
“Our NewForce program trains around 40 people annually for tech jobs, allowing many to work remotely and stay in their communities,” Weld says. “The GWV Fellowship supports 30 young professionals, enhancing their skills and engagement with West Virginia.”
