A Flex-E-Grant is a small grant, up to $10,000, that may be used to support local leadership, civic engagement and capacity building. In West Virginia, community values -- responsibility, strong work ethic, sense of community and caring about our neighbors -- grow when our communities are strong and all people have access to genuine opportunity.

Strong communities value and use the skills that members possess. This approach contributes to the development of the community and the community members.

Flex-E-Grant is a joint effort of the West Virginia Development Office, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Claude W. Benedum Foundation. WVDO continues to collaborate with many other organizations on the Flex-E-Grant project.

Click here for a list of eligible activities and applicants.

(A list of frequently asked questions is below)

Type of assistance: Grants

Purpose: To foster civic entrepreneurship by helping residents of West Virginia's ARC-designated distressed counties become more effective participants in the civic life and leadership of their communities. The KEY focus of this program is building leadership from within to strengthen economies and improve communities. Trained and equipped citizens focusing on a vision and direction can substantially improve the lives of others.
Participant List.

Description: Priority will be given to applicants that propose to increase the capacities and/or leadership skills of:

(Please click on the links below to explore examples of each type of applicant)

Individuals (including locally elected officials, women, minorities and youth)
Institutions (including nonprofits, local economic development authorities and units of local government
Communities (geographic communities and communities of common purpose, i.e., healthcare community, education community)

Applicants should have an exceptional history of effective leadership or capacity building activities. Click here for the seven guiding questions designed to help an organization develop a project and identify the components of a successful individual, organizational or community project.

How to apply: Applications are received on an annual basis.

Contact: For additional information about the Flex-E-Grant program, please call the West Virginia Development Office at (800) 982-3386 or (304) 558-2234.

Flex-E-Grant program
Frequently asked questions:

How much are grant awards?
The Flex-E-Grant program may award mini-grants up to $10,000 per project for individual, institutional and community capacity building.

What is capacity building?
Building the skills and abilities of local citizens, officials and organizations to understand problems, see opportunities and develop solutions has come to be known as capacity building. Nurturing successful capacity enables communities as a whole to produce real solutions and build real opportunities that change negative circumstances that might exist. The changes are what we might call social outcomes of the positive social impacts regarding quality of life, health, education and economic well-being of citizens.

Do certain types of projects receive emphasis?

• Economic opportunity: Build capacity by developing strong local and regional economic development organizations, assisting to diversify and expand local industry including destination tourism development and supporting small business development activities.
  
• Infrastructure: As a non-construction program, Flex-E-Grant funding can be provided to build capacity around infrastructure issues such as the development of water, sewer, housing, public safety management and access road facilities to meet critical public health/safety needs and support business development activities.
  
• Human resource development: Build capacity through human resource development by supporting career development, work-based learning and the number of schools that participate in school reform initiatives. The activity may involve public education, higher education, adult, job training, employment, welfare reform, economic development and/or workforce development.
  
• Local capacity: Build local capacity from the ground up, through leadership training activities, assistance with community strategic planning processes and telecommunications initiatives that will increase collaboration, interaction and access to information. This can include capacity building activities for boards and commissions and activities to increase access to programs and information that leverage private-sector involvement.
  
• Health care: Provide basic primary health care, health education, maternal and child health care and maintenance of reasonable access to emergency/acute care facilities.

1. Matching Funds: Individual projects are required to provide a minimum 5% match. For example, $10,000 grant would need a $500 match, a $9,000 grant would need a $450 match. For the most part, grantees do a 5% cash match.
2. $10,000 Grant Cap: Investments in any one project/program may not exceed $10,000.
3. Administrative Costs: The use of Flex-E-Grant Funds for administrative and personnel related costs and indirect costs are not eligible.
4. Distressed Counties Only: No Flex-E-Grant funds will be approved for activities in non-distressed counties.
5. Ineligible Projects and Costs: Except under unusual circumstances, equipment purchases and construction projects are not suitable for the program. As we mentioned above, indirect costs and administrative expenses are also ineligible.
6. Timetables: Should be able to commence upon award and conclude in 6 months.
7. Performance Measures: Programs must be designed with specific outcomes and measurable impacts.