Photo Provided GIVE Belmont County and the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley award grants to a variety of Belmont County organizations.

WHEELING — The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, in partnership with its affiliate GIVE Belmont County, distributed grants totaling $51,174.54 to organizations supporting projects within Belmont County.

GIVE Belmont County’s grantmaking initiative provides competitive grant opportunities to organizations located in and/or serving Belmont County.

Originally founded as the Smith-Goshen Rice Enrichment Fund in 2013 by Belmont County landowners and Rice Energy, the initiative was driven by a collective desire to invest in the community’s future. Despite the evolution in its name, the group’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Belmont County remains steadfast. The group appreciates its partnership with EQT Corp. and its Foundation, following its acquisition of Rice Energy in 2017. Their collaboration reinforces the commitment to community development, leveraging partnerships to extend their impact.

Having surpassed $525,000 in grants since its inception, GIVE Belmont County exemplifies the significant impact of focused philanthropic efforts within a community.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Barnesville State Theater Company Theater Restoration Project $15,000

Brookside Volunteer Fire Department Water Movement $4,357

Camp Presmont Inc. Camp Improvement Project $4,965.38

First Christian Church 5 LOAVES FOOD MINISTRY $2,000

LifeWise Academy St. Clairsville LifeWise St. Clairsville $6,200

Powhatan Fire Department AED Project $5,872.16

R.L Strength & Conditioning Continuing to build $5,000

Young Life Belmont County Healthy Peer Group Initiative $2,500