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PARKERSBURG, W. VA. – In order to continue their long-term commitment to supporting West Virginia and the communities they have been involved with for years, the Ross family of Parkersburg has launched The Ross Foundation. The new philanthropic organization is dedicated to providing funds to non-profit 501(c)(3) status groups located in and supporting activities in Doddridge, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie and Wood counties in West Virginia as a first focus. Expansion is anticipated into other counties throughout the state in coming years.
Key areas of interest that The Ross Foundation will provide financial support to strengthen communities in West Virginia include education, arts/cultural, disabilities, animals, temporary assistance and community initiatives.
“Our entire family believes that West Virginia has played a vital role in the success of the companies we have operated throughout the state in the past,” according to Tres Ross, executive director of The Ross Foundation. “We are eager to support non-profit activities in those communities to help strengthen them in the future. The creation of The Ross Foundation formalizes our commitment to support the growth of our state. We plan to provide financial support to non-profit organizations that will create a lasting impact on West Virginia and elsewhere within the United States.”
Beginning September 15, 2006, on-line applications will be accepted for consideration of fund allocations for the first cycle of grants. Non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) classification may go to www.TheRossFoundation.org to apply. The Ross Foundation has a step-by-step application process on-line providing full details of the organization and its procedures.
The deadline for applications for the first cycle of grants is November 1, 2006. Those organizations selected to receive funds will be notified in early December, 2006. Beginning in 2007, there will be two application timeframes each year for organizations to apply for funding.
“We’ve been working on this idea for a formal foundation dedicated to growing organizations in our state since January of this year when SBR, Inc. began negotiations to sell our building product companies to Fortune Brands,” says Ross. “Our paperwork was approved in May by the I.R.S. and we’ve spent the past several months organizing our efforts.
“The Ross Foundation is now ready to launch a financial support program that will continue encouraging the growth and expansion of opportunities in the communities we have a proud history with. Our goal is to support the needs of West Virginia residents and organizations so that our state can continue to grow and flourish.”
For additional information on applying for grants from The Ross Foundation, organizations are invited to visit www.TheRossFoundation.org.
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