The Pallottine Foundation of Huntington is a nonprofit organization which makes it possible for other nonprofit organizations to do good things. The Foundation announced Monday, June 15th, that it has awarded 172 nonprofits and other organizations in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio that provide health and human services with grants totaling $2.5 million through its 2026 Healthy Communities Initiative.
Nonprofits serving Putnam County receiving grants were: Branches Domestic Violence Shelter, Community Autism Resources and Education Systems, Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley, FamilyCare Health Centers, Heartbeat of the Valley, Itty Bitty Therapy Horses, Kanawha Valley Collective, and Winfield United Methodist Church.
Community Autism Resources and Education Systems (CARES) in Putnam County received $28,325.00. CARES provides customized information and resources, emotional support, advocacy, and coaching to parents and caregivers of children with autism. This funding will support a portion of salary for CARES’ part-time community coordinator to implement inclusive family events throughout the year, primarily in Putnam, Cabell, and Kanawha counties. Funds will also enable the organization’s family advocate to purchase essential needs items for families within our Foundation’s region.
Branches Domestic Violence Shelter in Huntington received $18,237.00. The Shelter serves survivors of domestic violence and their families across Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, and Wayne counties. This funding will support a second year of BDVS’s initiative to build a trauma-responsive community in Huntington. The organization will host quarterly community connection events to educate faith communities, nonprofits, businesses, and neighborhood groups on trauma-responsive approaches.
Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley (FIAGKV) in Charleston was awarded $25,750.00. FIAGKV is a volunteer-driven organization that provides free services to support independent living and healthy aging for seniors in Kanawha and Putnam counties. This funding will support FIAGKV’s expansion into upper Kanawha County and be used to offset expenses related to administrative salaries, intake coordination, and mileage; support volunteer training and hospitality costs for training events and provide gas cards to reimburse volunteers for mileage incurred; and enable continued engagement with a consultant to advance implementation of FIAGKV’s strategic plan.
FamilyCare Health Centers in Putnam County received $26,600.00. FamilyCare Health is a federally qualified health center dedicated to providing high-quality, cost-effective health care to families. The organization will use funding to enroll patients with chronic diseases in its Prescribing Better Health produce prescription program and provide them with a $50 Fresh Connect card to buy fresh produce each month.
Heartbeat of the Valley in Scott Depot was awarded $8,500.00. Heartbeat provides new, name-brand shoes to hundreds of students in need at Putnam and Kanawha County schools. This funding will support the purchase of shoes and a portion of staffing and mileage costs for distribution.
Itty Bitty Therapy Horses in Scott Depot will receive $19,929.02. Itty Bitty Therapy provides miniature equine-assisted therapy and learning for children and adults. This funding will enable the organization to continue providing access to the Unbridled Through Faith program for women with emotional and mental health needs. Funding will also support the Giddy Up: Jumping Through Obstacles Together program, which will offer equine-assisted recreational learning activities for children with anxiety, depression, trauma, neurodivergence, or developmental delays. Finally, funding will support ongoing outreach activities at local schools and community organizations.
Kanawha Valley Collective (KVC) in Charleston was awarded $40,000.00. KVC serves as the Continuum of Care organization for Boone, Clay, Kanawha, and Putnam counties, with a primary mission of preventing and ending homelessness. KVC will expand its meal program through a partnership with St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, which will provide access to its facilities for weekday breakfast and lunch services. Funding will support salary and benefits for KVC to hire a meal coordinator to lead this effort.
Winfield United Methodist Church will receive $7,500 to purchase nonperishable food items for its Backpack Buddies program, which provides weekend and holiday food bags to children at Winfield Elementary School who are facing food insecurity.
