MOVCA Receives Grant for 2018

MOVCA receives $10,000 grant from Dunn Foundation

25 Jan 2018 — The Parkersburg News And Sentinel

From staff reports

PARKERSBURG – Mid-Ohio Valley Climate Action has received a $10,000 grant from the Dunn Foundation.

The 2018 grant is the second time the group has received funding from the Dunn Foundation. These funds will help support educational programs and community action campaigns in the Mid-Ohio Valley that raise awareness of the scientific evidence of climate change and the role humans have played in causing it, the group said.

Eric Engle, MOVCA chair, announced the award at the Jan.18 Third Thursday public outreach meeting. “Thanks to the Dunn grant, our teams of volunteer educators will work in cooperation with area science teachers to present programs in middle schools and high schools in both West Virginia and Ohio counties in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Engle said.

“We will also continue to present these regular monthly programs – free of charge, and open to the public – on topics related to the science confirming the dangerous and urgent threats posed by changes to our planet’s climate, things we can and must address now,” Engle said.

Engle noted that the group has also begun a local fundraising campaign to further bolster the group’s participation with other environmental groups in the area. “As a voluntary organization registered in West Virginia, we can accept tax deductible donations through our fiscal agent, the West Virginia Citizen Action Education Fund. Anyone interested in supporting our efforts is encouraged to contact us for information on making donations.”

Vice Chair Jean Ambrose said the Dunn grant allows the volunteer-led organization to bring more regional and national presentations to the MOV. “The grant we received in 2017 made it possible for us to show Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” Ambrose said. “The grant also funded production of a public service announcement that we aired on local TV. With the new award, we hope to do more presentations like those, as well as branch out into new areas that will take our message to the community.”

The Dunn Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Referencing MOVCA’s award, Dr. Wayne Dunn from the Foundation board said, “The Dunn Foundation is happy to support the MOVCA as a group of citizens who care and work for a sustainable world that enables communities to enhance their happiness, well-being and economic prosperity.”