HURRICANE, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia State Parks Foundation hope to raise millions of dollars in private donations and grants for projects across the state park system, with its executive director saying some estimates put maintenance, equipment, and project needs at about $260 million.
The nonprofit organization will use a new $25,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to hire a firm to develop a comprehensive marketing and fundraising plan, according to foundation executive director Brad Reed.
Reed said private donations and grants can help fund projects that the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources cannot accommodate among its spending priorities.
“By some estimates, there are approximately $260 million in maintenance, equipment, and project needs for West Virginia state parks, forests, and rail trails,” Reed said.
He said recent investments announced by Gov. Patrick Morrisey show the state’s commitment to maintaining and improving its parks, but the state must prioritize park projects alongside other public needs.
“Our foundation, in partnership with foundations serving individual park areas, is striving to bring in private donations and grant funding that will assist WVDNR in fulfilling the legislated state park mission,” Reed said.
Private funding supports park projects
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources receives funding appropriated by the Legislature and generates revenue through park operations, and Reed said those resources require the agency to prioritize projects.
Some involve immediate infrastructure needs. Reed pointed to replacing the heating and air-conditioning system at Chief Logan Lodge this year as an example.
The agency also invests in projects intended to generate revenue, including new campgrounds, he said, while other projects important to park visitors and surrounding communities may fall outside the agency’s available funding.
Foundations that support the park system have recently helped pay for playgrounds, hiking-trail work, picnic shelters, restrooms, and cabin porch replacements, he said.
Reed said he hopes the statewide foundation can eventually bring significantly greater private resources into the system.
“In fundraising, we hope to someday become the source of millions in private donations and grant funding to be used in partnership with the agency,” Reed said.
Grant will fund fundraising plan
The foundation received the $25,000 grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s READY Nonprofits program.
The foundation became eligible to apply after Reed and foundation treasurer Kim McCluskey completed 10 weeks of virtual training with representatives of other nonprofit organizations from across Appalachia.
The training covered nonprofit operations, strategic planning, board development, human resources, marketing and communications, according to the foundation.
The grant will pay a firm to develop a comprehensive marketing and fundraising plan. Specifications and bidding information for the work are expected to be released.
The parks foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that partners with foundations serving individual parks. Reed described the statewide organization’s roles as awareness, advocacy, and fundraising.
He said he wants West Virginians to recognize the importance of the state park system and understand why it deserves protection.
“We also want to protect and preserve these areas for generations to come,” Reed said. “Knowing the importance of our parks means understanding the reasons why we must protect them and fiercely cling to the original legislated mission.”
West Virginia law states that the purpose of the state’s parks and recreation section is to preserve and protect natural areas of unique or exceptional scenic, scientific, cultural, archaeological or historic significance and to provide outdoor recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
The state park system includes 36 state parks, nine state forests, and three rail trails and welcomes more than seven million visitors annually.
Reed said the foundation ultimately wants private fundraising to provide millions of dollars for the system.
“We want our park system to be the best in the country,” he said, “and we want everyone to know it.”