Organization
What is The Ross Foundation?
An IRS-approved non-profit organization dedicated to providing funding for organizations in 5 counties (with further expansion anticipated into other counties in the coming years) in West Virginia that support education, arts/cultural, disabilities, animals, temporary assistance or community initiatives.
Where is The Ross Foundation located?
The Ross Foundation has office space in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
Funding
What is the maximum amount of funds The Ross Foundation will provide to an approved 501(C)(3) organization or government entity?
The Ross Foundation has not set a maximum amount of funds per organization. However, support for any single organization will generally be limited to three years (if the organization continuously applies and is accepted). The three-year limit is in place so that the foundation can focus on supporting organizations where an immediate influx of funds will create a maximum impact in a short period of time.
What is the minimum amount of funds The Ross Foundation will provide to an approved 501(C)(3) organization or government entity?
The Ross Foundation intends to consider grants in varying amounts and is not set on a defined minimum amount for applications.
May individuals apply for funding?
No. Funding will only be provided to non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status that has been approved by the IRS or government entities.
When will the funding be provided to organizations that are approved?
Once an organization has received notification of funding approval, they will have up to 12 months to request the funds. In most instances, The Ross Foundation will provide one-third of the approved funding amount up front, with the remaining issued over the course of the year based on the needs determined by the foundation through ongoing communication with the organization.
Application Procedures
Who may apply for grants?
Non-profit 501(c)(3) status organizations that are approved by the IRS or government entities that are located in or support activities in Doddridge, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie or Wood Counties in West Virginia may apply. Future expansion is anticipated into other counties in the state. The organization should have a link with one of six key areas in their community: education, arts/cultural, disabilities, animals, temporary assistance or community initiatives.
Will applications from organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status be considered?
Only government entities.
Who will determine which organizations receive funds?
The Ross Foundation Board of Directors and staff members will carefully review all applications and determine which organizations receive funding.
What is the best way to assure an organization receives funds?
Go to the on-line application process at www.TheRossFoundation.org and follow the precise instructions for applying for funds. Organizations meeting the qualification stipulations and submitting fully-completed applications have the best opportunity to gain funding.
What qualifications must an organization meet to be considered for funding?
First, the non-profit group must have a 501(c)(3) status that has been approved by the IRS or government entity. Second, the organization must be located in and support activities in Doddridge, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie or Wood Counties in West Virginia at this point. Third, the organization should have a link with one of six key areas in their community: education, arts/cultural, disabilities, animals, temporary assistance or community initiatives. Fourth, the organization must fully complete the on-line application and submit it by the required deadline.
What are the deadlines involved?
Deadlines vary depending on the cycle an organization is requesting funds. Below is a breakdown of the deadlines for each stage.
| | Spring Cycle | Fall Cycle |
| Online Application | Mar. 1st to Apr. 1st | Sept. 1st to Oct. 1st |
| Initial Foundation Screening | Apr. 2nd to Apr. 15th | Oct. 2nd to Oct. 15th |
| Additional Requested Information | Apr. 16th to May 15th | Oct. 16th to Nov. 15th |
| Final Foundation Screening | May 16th to June 30th | Nov. 16th to Dec. 30th |
| Funding Distribution Date | July 1st | Jan. 1st |
When and how will organizations be notified that they did or did not receive funding?
The Ross Foundation will make announcements in late June for the Spring Cycle or early December for the Fall Cycle as to which organizations received funding. The Ross Foundation website will be updated regularly with information on the recipients of grants and the activities the foundation supports.
May an organization apply twice a year for this funding? What restrictions are there in place?
An organization may apply as many times as necessary for grants as long as they have not been accepted as a grantee during a given cycle. At that point, a grantee that wishes to apply for additional funding must sit out for the next cycle before applying again.
May I meet with individuals at The Ross Foundation to gain more information and direction on the grant application process?
No. Unfortunately The Ross Foundation does not have enough staff to provide one-on-one assistance with grant applicants. However, the foundation has set up an extensive assistance program on its web site and will conduct conference calls on a regular basis to provide simultaneous guidance to a variety of non-profit organizations going through the grant process. We believe many groups may have the same questions, so we are scheduling the conference calls to assist a wide variety of people at the same time.