MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION

CSWV is a partnership of social, economic and environmental justice organizations that collaborate to build a better West Virginia by increasing public awareness of our groups and providing stable ongoing funding through annual workplace giving campaigns.

BACKGROUND

Community Shares of West Virginia (CSWV) is a new cooperative effort of West Virginia non-profit organizations. We represent organizations working for systemic change through social, economic and environmental justice across the state. The organization's purpose is to build capacity for the member groups as well as to build support among the public for the work they do. The goal is to provide a platform for progressive, community based non-profits to become stronger and more effective by joining in a new funding collaboration

In rural, sparsely populated West Virginia, the situation often is that the volunteers who maintain the work of non-profit social justice groups often have overlapping officers and directors. These people have limited time and energy to devote to an umbrella support agency such as CSWV. The only way to make the project successful is to employ an administrator to carry on the necessary day to day functions.

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

Community Shares of West Virginia was incorporated in September 2003 as a non-profit, non-stock West Virginia Corporation. And it has been designated a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service. All members and beneficiaries are other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that meet the membership criteria and standards of being democratically controlled and grassroots directed. All organizations must have a written policy of non-discrimination in employment practices and services to their constituencies to be approved as a CSWV member. In all board deliberations and decisions, we strive to be inclusive and respectful.

The Board of Directors of CSWV must approve all applications for membership. The Board of Directors consists of representatives from each of the member organizations. We strive to make decisions by consensus of the board, and failing that, by majority vote of a quorum of the Board.

HISTORY

In the spring of 2003 a dozen or so representatives of state non-profit organizations working on social justice advocacy and citizen empowerment met to seek a forum for common support of their varied purposes.

Participants realized the need for an umbrella organization to provide the individual organizations with essential resources and opportunities to work for social, economic, and environmental justice for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised populations. Current fundraising activities were not sufficient to meet organizational needs, nor did they reach potential new donors.

The working group made contact with the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP). This organization exists to encourage and promote philanthropic support for social justice advocacy endeavors. The NCRP introduced us to the workplace model known across America as Community Shares. After several months Community Shares of West Virginia was born. The working group became the board of directors upon incorporation and filed the necessary forms with the State of West Virginia and the Internal Revenue Service.

Current members of the organization are: Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Southern Appalachian Labor School, Mountain State Education and Research, Step by Step, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, Family Leadership First and West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Work Camps. Organizations that are in various stages of applying for membership include West Virginia Rivers Coalition, American Civil Liberties Union and the American Friends Service Committee-WV Economic Justice project. Other organizations may also join us this summer.