West Virginia First Foundation Celebrates Grant Recipients to Combat Substance Use Crisis
SUTTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia First Foundation held a celebratory event on Tuesday, announcing the recipients of its Initial Opportunity Grant program, which awarded nearly $17 million to 94 projects aimed at addressing the state’s pressing substance use crisis.
Launched in September, the grant program aimed to distribute $19.2 million across six regions in West Virginia. Out of 174 applications, the selected projects focus on critical areas such as drug prevention, support for pregnant women with neonatal abstinence syndrome, drug diversion programs, and recovery housing expansion. Each region received varying levels of funding, with the highest allocations going to North Central and Southern West Virginia.
Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Board emphasized the potential for real change, stating, "You are proof that bold ideas grounded in community and compassion can drive real change." Matthew Harvey, foundation chairman, described the milestone as a new era in supporting recovery and prevention from substance use disorder.
As West Virginia faces the nation’s highest drug overdose death rate, officials highlighted the funding’s importance for long-term solutions. With nearly $290 million received from opioid settlements, foundation leaders are committed to ensuring these funds have lasting impacts for future generations.
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