Engage WVU Giving Circle | WVU Foundation

Our Mission

To empower like-minded donors who love WVU to make a more meaningful impact by pooling their individual gifts and taking an active role in funding decisions that support WVU.

Engage WVU Giving Circle Fund

Each member invests a minimum of $1,000 annually to support activities that complement, extend, and enhance academic experiences at West Virginia University, and improve the lives of WVU students and West Virginians.

Through an annual grant process, the Fund will support the following within WVU and West Virginia:

Enhances educational opportunities and experiences for students and faculty

Promotes and eliminates barriers to health and wellness
Supports the needs of children and families

Endorses growth and education in STEM fields

Advances cultural enrichment and achievement

How do I join?

Amplify the power of your giving and put your passion for WVU to work! When you become a member, your time and money make a direct and powerful impact. With a minimum of $1,000 annual donation, you’ll make a valuable investment, and your “dues” go directly to programs and services that make an impact.

You will also put your experience and knowledge to work by reviewing and approving funding requests annually in the spring and making important funding decisions that will best serve and advance WVU and West Virginia.

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How do I apply?

Student Applicants:

Maximum award up to $2,500
One-time award
Must be a sophomore, junior, or senior WVU student with a minimum 2.5 grade point average
Funding is not available for wages, tuition, books or fees, living expenses, or international travel
To be considered, proposals must be received by the application deadline, April 25, 2026

Program Applicants:

Must be a recognized WVU organization or faculty member
Maximum award up to $5,000
May be awarded up to three consecutive years
Funding is not available for wages, tuition, books, fees, or international travel
To be considered, proposals must be received by the application deadline, April 25, 2026

The application process will open on April 3, 2026. This grant cycle is for projects conducted between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Applications for projects outside of this timeframe will not be taken into consideration. See application below.

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Please include the following:

Narrative should be double-spaced, stating the need funding and how the funding will impact WVU and/or West Virginia
Projected start and end date of your program/project
Key measurement/performance indicators that will measure success of the program.
A budget, including expenses and other sources of funding
A letter of recommendation from a WVU advisor or representative from the unit or college affiliated with program applying for funding, outlining the value of the learning experience to the student or benefit the program produces

Applications that do not meet these guidelines will not be taken into consideration.

Recipients are required to submit a report at the end of the project detailing results and benefits of receiving the grant.

If awarded, the grantee will work collaboratively with their business office to be reimbursed via the back bill for the grant. Their business office will need a copy of the specific budget submitted with the award.

For information on becoming a member or how to apply for funding please contact rcolebank@wvuf.org or call Rylee Colebank in the Office of Communications and Donor Engagement at 304-284-4036.

HELP US ENRICH THE LIVES OF WVU STUDENTS. JOIN US TODAY!

Become an Engage WVU Giving Circle Member