By Taylor A.
Serving with Tucker Community Foundation
The 1985 Election Day floods hit West Virginia 13 years before I was born, but when asked about it, you’d think I was right there in downtown Parsons. This particular flood lives in the collective memory of Tucker Countians, as prominent as our understanding of Noah’s plight in Genesis, specifically because it happened at a particularly vulnerable time in Parsons’ economy. Many would argue that Parsons is still trying to recover economically from the devastation of this flood, losing the majority of its business overnight and 25% of its population over the next few years.
Growing up, the flood was constantly referenced as an explanation for this or that– typically some negative aspect of our community. But there is one bright, redeeming star tightly wound to our flood myths: the initiation of the Tucker Community Foundation (TCF).
The story goes: after the flood, community members were looking for a way to build resiliency, sustainability, and continue fostering that most admirable quality of all West Virginians: helping one’s neighbor. Spearheaded by Parsons native and former WV Senator Sarah Minear, the Foundation was officially established in 1989, with over 40 board members paying a substantial fee to establish the first endowed fund. Endowments are what community foundations are made of. Community members establish funds directed toward specific causes or regions, then 5% of the fund is paid out each year to charitable organizations that match the fund’s designated cause. The idea behind a “community” foundation is that it is by us for us.
35 years later, the Foundation has grown beyond Tucker County to service 8 counties in West Virginia and Garrett County, MD. The total assets have grown from a couple hundred dollars the first year to 44 million in 2024 and the organization manages just over 150 funds. But as big as the Foundation has grown both in scope and assets, its humble beginnings are still at the heart of every initiative and program. While there are more and more opportunities for giving to charitable causes throughout the 9 counties, the angle of operations remains a grassroots, bottom-up approach.
TCF Service Area
The name and location of the Foundation have played a critical role in the funds endowed by community members, leaving Tucker County with the most designated funds—and therefore, the most scholarships and grants distributed. Though most counties in the TCF service area have been affiliated with the Foundation since 2008, there have been significant obstacles establishing deep roots within these counties and accumulating enough funds to distribute meaningful grants and scholarships. Many people hear “Tucker Community Foundation” and assume the money stays in Tucker County, not realizing that money donated through funds will remain exclusively in the community to which it is designated.
Part of my scope of service as an AmeriCorps member serving the Foundation is to aid in the expansion and outreach within our serviced communities. With a small staff and a large rural region to cover, maintaining personal connections with individual communities remains challenging—something that technology alone cannot fully address. While social media and newsletters effectively engage those already familiar with our mission, they have had limited success in reaching small nonprofits and charitable organizations unaware of the resources available to them through TCF. Recognizing this gap, Executive Director David Cooper and I saw in-person events as an essential part of our marketing and outreach strategy.
Session in Upshur Co., WV
The major project I recently completed consisted of eight nonprofit information sessions designed not only as a 101 course to community foundations and applying for grants, but as regenerative networking opportunities for volunteers and staff in the nonprofit sector who often experience isolation and burnout. Every aspect of the sessions—from free tote bags and local pastries to interactive quizzes—was designed to connect nonprofits both to the Foundation and to one another. More often than not, as one participant explained a specific issue they were working to solve, someone else would jump in with a person or resource that might help address that issue.
One follow-up email from a nonprofit in Randolph County perfectly encapsulates the response we received from community members unfamiliar with the Foundation's work:
“I first learned about TCF quite a few years ago from a (now-retired) co-worker, Roscoe Beall, who spoke highly of the organization. In the last few years, I have looked at your website for grants, but it was either out of the application period, or I talked myself out of applying for whatever reason. Now that I understand more about the structure and the impact within our communities, it gives me hope and encouragement to at least try this year. As the old saying goes, you won't know unless you ask!”
While we couldn’t guarantee funding, we promised these nonprofits that we would equip them with key information and resources to strengthen their funding requests—while also encouraging them to continue their vital work in their communities.
Each session began with a “victory board,” where participants shared good news from their organizations before we delved into their specific needs. The result was a diverse and inspiring collection of victories, reminding us all that despite ongoing challenges and setbacks, good people are doing good work all around us.
We successfully got every 2nd-5th grader in the county (Randolph) to outdoor education day last school year! (Wonder & Grow)
The Chamber has almost 200 members and a wonderful Board of Directors dedicated to helping the business community. (Preston Chamber of Commerce)
We’re making our seniors happy with our programs. Everyone is very grateful! (Grant Co. Senior Center)
Community engagement (youth, adult, seniors) in our Grantsville and Oakland Arts & Entertainment District at monthly workshops and festivals/events.
Session in Garrett Co., MD
Rural people doing nonprofit work are a force. They are scrappy and resilient. I found reflections of the Foundation’s core values from its conception in each community we visited, and though this was the first time TCF organized a full tour of the entire service area, the staff hopes it will become an annual event. By connecting with individuals TCF services in person, we’re reminded that our mission is as simple as neighbors helping neighbors.
