Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health awards more than $600,000 in substance use disorder program grants

Eight W.Va. Non-Profits Receive Grant Funding Focused on Improving                                                                  

Parkersburg, W.Va. (July 14, 2022) – Eight West Virginia-based non-profit organizations will receive funding from the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health to support programs that combat substance use disorders (SUD). The grants, which were submitted in response to the Charitable Fund’s SUD Request For Proposals (RFP) earlier this year, total more than $600,000.

“The tremendous response we received illustrates the true need that exists in our state and remains a struggle for many in our communities,” said Jim Fawcett, president of Highmark West Virginia. “Focusing on improving SUD outcomes supports Highmark Health’s multipronged opioid strategy to combat addiction, and we are thrilled to lend our support to these eight organizations that are accomplishing life-changing work for West Virginians experiencing the effects of SUD.”

The RFP was available to health, community and social service organizations that specifically address SUD programs and initiatives. Due to the overwhelming RFP response, the total amount to be awarded was increased from $500,000 to $600,000. The funded grants focus on initiating effective SUD health programs and services or expand existing services that offer viable approaches to prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and support for long-term recovery. The following grantees were funded:

• Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center, Inc.                     (Webster County)                                          
• CAMC Health Education Research Institute, Inc.         (Kanawha County)            
• Lily’s Place                                                                      (Cabell County)
• Milan Puskar Health Right                                             (Monongalia County)
• Semper Liberi Inc.                                                          (Berkeley County)
• The Martinsburg Initiative, Inc.                                       (Berkeley County)                                         
• The Religious Coalition for Community Renewal         (Kanawha County)            
• West Virginia Sober Living, Inc.                                      (Monongalia County)

This is the third RFP the Charitable Fund has offered within its inaugural year. In its first year, the Charitable Fund awarded nearly $2 million in major grants to more than 50 non-profit organizations that address Social Determinants of Health (SDoH), Oral/Dental Care, and Family Health.

Additional grants will be awarded throughout the remainder of 2022. Interested non-profit organizations may visit www.highmarkwvfund.versaic.com for future RFP opportunities.