photo by: Derek Redd

Pictured, from left, are Mark Phillips, CEO of Catholic Charities West Virginia; Susie Nelson, executive director of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley; and Katie Hinerman Klug, chief mission officer of Catholic Charities West Virginia. Catholic Charities has given the CFOV its 2025 Charity In Action Award.

WHEELING — When looking at the myriad groups and organizations that help those around the Ohio Valley, Mark Phillips, CEO of Catholic Charities West Virginia, feels there are few that match the scope of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley.

“You can’t find a population in the Ohio Valley that hasn’t been impacted by the work of the Community Foundation,” he said.

For decades, the CFOV has distributed millions of dollars in grants and scholarships to deserving people and groups around the valley. And for that work, Catholic Charities named the CFOV the winner of its 2025 Charity In Action Award.

The award will be presented to CFOV officials at Catholic Charities’ 15th annual Hope Gala, set for 6 p.m. March 1 at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

“Charity really means ‘love,'” Phillips said. “So our Charity In Action Award is meant to recognize those individuals, groups and businesses that have really shown a love for their neighbors here in the Ohio Valley.

“And since 1972,” he continued, “no one has done that more than the Community Foundation.”

The CFOV was established in 1972, and oversees 312 charitable funds with assets totalling $75 million.

Since its inception, the foundation has distributed more than $30 million in grants and scholarships to people and groups throughout the region, including $3 million last year.

CFOV Executive Director Susie Nelson said it is wonderful to be recognized by an organization like Catholic Charities, a like-minded group that goes the extra mile to help people in need across the valley.

“It’s an incredible honor,” she said. “When Mark called and told me about it, I was really surprised. We work hard every day to encourage donors to help us improve the lives of people in our region, and Catholic Charities does the same thing. So our missions align in that way, which is wonderful.”

The CFOV’s donations have positively affected groups affiliated with social services, libraries, sports and recreation, education, first responders and more. Nelson mentioned a grant Catholic Charities just received through the CFOV for a “grandparents as parents” program.

“It’s a very rewarding job to do, to give back to the community and to be able to support organizations like Catholic Charities,” Nelson said. “It’s feel-good work, and we love it.”

Tickets for the March 1 event are $125 per person, with funds raised through the event supporting Catholic Charities’ programs and services in northern West Virginia. The night will include dinner, drinks and dancing, as well as honoring the CFOV for its award. Tickets can be purchased at www.ccwva.org/event/gala.