Current WISH Award Recipients
Women’s leadership in philanthropy - whether high-profile or quietly strong and informal - is a powerful force in solving the challenges facing our families, our communities and our world.
2026 Grant Award Recipients
The 2026 WISH grant awards were presented Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at Erma Ora Byrd Hall to two nonprofits and two Shepherd Learning Projects. Each grant totaled $36,625.
Community Nonprofit Winner- Community Markets Inc.
Community Markets Inc. (CMI) launched the Local Food Access Delivery Program in 2026 to address barriers to food access faced by underserved communities across West Virginia. Many individuals experiencing food insecurity lack reliable transportation or are homebound due to age, disability, or chronic conditions. A WISH grant of $36,625 will enable CMI to purchase a refrigerated van, which is an investment that will expand delivery capacity, maintain food quality, and extend services into more rural and underserved areas.
“Community Markets Inc. is grateful to the Shepherd University Foundation and everyone involved with WISH for the 2026 WISH grant award. This award is an investment in agriculture in Jefferson County and around our beloved Mountain State. Local food and nutrition for every West Virginian has a place in our community. These funds round out the amount needed to purchase a refrigerated van, which will be used to transport farm-fresh food from producers to underserved communities and food deserts. Thank you, WISH, for your generous support and partnership to ensure that West Virginian food is on every West Virginian’s plate!” – Mark Peiffer, Community Markets Inc. Operations Manager
Community Nonprofit Winner- Morgan County Starting Points
The Bloom Teaching Garden and Art Collective is a new initiative of Morgan County Starting Points (MCSP) that will create a safe, supervised outdoor learning space for girls in Paw Paw, WV. Adjacent to Paw Paw School, on property rented by MCSP, Bloom will turn an underutilized plot into a teaching garden and creative arts area where participants grow food, explore nature-based art, and build confidence through hands-on, team-based projects. The WISH grant funding of $36,625 will provide youth, adult, and two Shepherd University garden manager stipends; will purchase supplies to expand the raised garden bed infrastructure; and will cover art and programming expenses.
“We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with WISH to launch the Bloom Teaching Garden and Art Collective. This is a transformative initiative designed to inspire hope, leadership, and connection among the young women of Paw Paw, WV. This investment will allow Morgan County Starting Points to create a vibrant teaching garden and art space adjacent to Paw Paw School, where girls can cultivate fresh food, express themselves through nature-inspired art, and build confidence as leaders. Your support is invaluable in helping us create meaningful opportunities that foster self-empowerment, personal growth, and a stronger sense of community.” – Audrey Morris, Executive Director
Shepherd Learning Project Winner- Faculty-led Student Career Exploration
Thanks to the $36,250 Shepherd Learning Project grant from WISH, the development of faculty- led summer recruitment workshops will be able to address the critical need of overcoming the difficulty in reaching and informing local students about careers in those fields and encouraging them to consider Shepherd University for their training. This initiative is especially important as workforce shortages in West Virginia have created an urgent need to train students into high demand careers such as teaching, healthcare, social work, and environmental fields.
“This three-year investment will help students explore meaningful career pathways in high-demand fields that are vital to West Virginia’s economic growth and community well-being, including pre-med, nursing, environmental science, social work, history, and education. Through immersive workshops led by Shepherd faculty, students will connect their academic interests with real-world professional opportunities, build confidence, and begin to envision themselves in careers that serve their communities. This partnership with WISH will have a lasting impact on students, families, and communities for years to come.” – Dr. Laureen Donovan, project lead, professor in School of Nursing
Shepherd Learning Project Winner- Shepherd University Writing Project
The second 2026 Shepherd WISH grant award of $36,625 was given to the Shepherd University Writing Project, which will address the critical need for stronger writing, reading, and critical thinking skills among students of all levels. The WISH grant funding will cover four initiatives: two summer institutes for twenty K-12 teachers per summer; training for Shepherd faculty through a “Writing Across the Curriculum” masterclass; two annual “literacy pop-up” events on campus aimed toward K-12 students; and the incorporation of Shepherd English and education majors into trainings and programming, allowing them to earn credits and professional experience.
“The Shepherd University Writing Project is so grateful to WISH for helping us continue to support our work advancing reading, writing, and literacy in the Eastern Panhandle and beyond. The grant provides funding for a two-year series of trainings for teachers and fun, engaging programs for children. We will reach local K-12 educators and their students, along with Shepherd University faculty and students. Ultimately, we will strengthen a growing network of educators and learners dedicated to cultivating both skills and passion for writing and reading.” – Dr. Heidi Hanrahan, project lead and professor in Department of English, History, and Modern Languages
