Building Resources In Diverse Geographic Environments (BRIDGE) Grant
The Building Resources In Diverse Geographic Environments (BRIDGE) Grant Program was a community-based pilot project established under House Bill 2724. The program successfully concluded in 2021 as scheduled. This page provides a transparent summary of the program’s implementation, funding, grantees, and outcomes for public access and historical reference.
Program Overview
The BRIDGE Grant Program was designed to address social determinants of health through comprehensive community development. Its mission included:
• Addressing poverty and substance abuse
• Improving community and population health
• Stimulating labor force participation
• Supporting economic development
The pilot focused on six priority areas:
1. Economic Stability
2. Healthcare
3. Social/Community Services
4. Neighborhood Environment
5. Community Living
6. Education
The program operated in two phases:
• Phase I: Kanawha County
• Phase II: Berkeley and Jefferson Counties (Eastern Panhandle)
Total Funding: $500,000 (provided through the Governor’s contingency fund)
Grant Range: Up to $25,000 per award
Total Organizations Awarded: 23
Total Community-Based Projects Implemented: 24
Eligible Applicants: Local nonprofits, community organizations, and colleges/universities
Timeline
• Announcement of Grant Application Period: October 15, 2019
• Application Deadline: December 1, 2019
• Grant Award Notifications: December 20, 2019
• Contract Start Date: January 15, 2020
• Interim Progress Reports Due: July 15, 2020
• Final Progress Reports Due: February 15, 2021
• Program Sunset Date: July 1, 2021
Kanawha County Grantees (Phase I)
Individual grants were awarded to 11 organizations for 12 separate community-based projects. Highlights include:
Economic Stability
• YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter: $17,024 – Education/Job Readiness Center
• BridgeValley Community and Technical College: $22,320 – GRID Makerspaces
• A More Excellent Way Life Center Church: $25,000 – A More Excellent Change: A Path to Economic Prosperity
Healthcare
• Minority Health Institute/Marshall University: $25,000 – Program to Reduce the Burden of Health Disparities Among Minorities
• Domestic Violence Survivors Support Group: $16,345 – Trauma Education and Positive Coping Behavior
• Spotted Owl Healthcare Organization: $25,000 – Healthy Kids, Healthy Adults
Social/Community Service
• West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition: $25,000 – Parents Do Care: Vista View Apartments
Neighborhood Environment
• Appalachia Service Project: $25,000 – Kanawha County Home Repair Program
Community Living
• Fun Fitness Foundation: $16,658 – Performing Arts and Physical Fitness Initiative
Education
• Morris Enrichment Center: $24,977 – Center Revitalization
• Fun Fitness Foundation: $25,000 – Physical Fitness & Financial Literacy Bootcamp for Kids
Eastern Panhandle Grantees (Phase II – Berkeley & Jefferson Counties)
Individual grants were awarded to 13 organizations for 13 separate projects. Highlights include:
Economic Stability
• The Arc of the Eastern Panhandle: $13,580 – Pathway’s Program (vocational training)
• Horizon Goodwill: $15,000 – Get On Board! Job Readiness Training
• Innovative Community Solutions: $24,736 – IT Fundamentals For Veterans
Healthcare
• Greater Recovery and Community Empowerment (GRaCE): $25,000 – Youth Life Coaches/Recovery Coach Academy
• Horses With Hearts: $18,744 – Equine-Assisted Leadership Development Program
• Stars That Shine: $22,000 – Girls United P.E.R.I.O.D.
Social/Community Service
• Children’s Home Society of West Virginia: $25,000 – Healthy Grandfamilies Program
• Breast & Body Health Inc.: $12,500 – Project Hope
• Voices Against Domestic Violence: $25,000 – Domestic Violence Safe House Project
Neighborhood Environment
• Martinsburg High School Baseball Boosters: $25,000 – P.O. Faulkner Field Score Board Project
Community Living
• Jefferson County Parks & Recreation: $17,000 – Let’s Play Mobile Recreation – STEAMER Program
Education
• Shepherd University Center for Appalachian Studies: $10,000 – Voices from the Misty Mountains
• Tony M. Music and Arts Foundation: $16,184 – Tony M. After School Arts Program
Final Status
The design, implementation, management, and completion of the BRIDGE Grant Program fulfilled the requirements of House Bill 2724 and successfully concluded on schedule in 2021. We are pleased that we doubled the expected economic impact and addressed the social determinants of health within underserved communities of West Virginia.