POINT PLEASANT — The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF) and the Regional Affiliate Foundations of Doddridge, Ritchie, Jackson and Mason counties as well as the Little Kanawha Area of Wirt and Calhoun counties is currently accepting applications for the Community Action Grant Program’s spring cycle.

Applications must be postmarked no later than March 1. For the spring cycle, the grant funds are available from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation. Guidelines and application forms are available on the Web site, www.pacfwv.com. Forms also can be retrieved by calling the foundation at 304-428-4438 or toll free at 1-866-428-4438.

Community Action Grant applicants must be a private, non-profit organization, tax-exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a public institution. To be eligible for a grant from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, either the applicant or program to be funded must be located in the foundation’s 11 county geographic service areas — Wood, Wirt, Doddridge, Ritchie, Pleasants, Roane, Calhoun, Gilmer, Jackson and Mason counties as well as Washington County, Ohio.

According to a news release, this spring, in addition to continuing to provide support for capital and equipment projects, program development and technical assistance, training and capacity building, the foundation expects to provide a limited number of grants for operating support. Operating support grants target organizations that provide essential community services or offer programs that meet basic human needs as well as seek to increase their financial stability and/or expand their capacity to provide services.

To be eligible to receive an operating support grant, the organization that is applying must be a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization — operating support grants are not available to governmental entities, schools or organizations that lack the 501 (c)(3) status. In addition, the organization must have been in continuous operation for at least five years, have a proven track record, have an overall sound financial history (at least prior to the present need), be able to demonstrate strong management and must have previously received support from the community foundation.

For those who would like to learn more about the foundation’s grant process, there will be free grant workshops on Thursday, Jan. 21 from 9-11 a.m. at Star Plastics in Millwood and Thursday, Jan. 28 from 9-11 a.m. at the Judge Black Annex in Parkersburg. To register for workshops, call 304-428-4438 or e-mail info@pacfwv.com.

In November, the Mason County Community Foundation hosted their annual benefit dinner. During the event the 2009 Fall Community Action Grants were announced. The Mason County Fair received the grant, which totals $2,500. The grant will go toward the restoration of the 70 year-old horse barn that is utilized by hundreds of 4-H members through the Mason County Fair and several horse shows throughout the year.

For more information on grants, visit www.pacfwv.com or contact Marian Clowes at 304-428-4438 and Jane Winters at 304-372-8588.