West Virginia Code 11-13J-2 – Legislative finding and purpose
It is the finding of the Legislature that community-based organizations can be a powerful force in community development. However, in West Virginia their effectiveness has historically been weakened by meager resources. Private corporations and individuals in West Virginia possess the resources to aid community-based organizations in their efforts to assist neighborhoods and communities. Due to the lack of clear incentives, the private and not-for-profit sectors have often not taken advantage of opportunities to collaborate with community-based organizations to the full extent possible by investment and participation in local programs.
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 11-13J-2
- Community-based: means :
(i) The project is to be managed locally, without national, state, multistate or international affiliations. See West Virginia Code 11-13J-3
- Crime prevention: means any activity which aids in the reduction of crime. See West Virginia Code 11-13J-3
- Education: means any type of scholastic instruction to, or scholarship by, an individual that enables that individual to prepare for better life opportunities. See West Virginia Code 11-13J-3
- Emergency assistance: means the provision of basic needs including shelter, clothing, food, water, medical attention or supplies, personal safety, or funds to obtain these to an individual facing circumstances that prevent him or her from securing or maintaining these basic needs. See West Virginia Code 11-13J-3
- Job training: means instruction to an individual that enables the individual to acquire vocational skills to become employable or able to seek a higher grade of employment. See West Virginia Code 11-13J-3
Therefore, the neighborhood investment program act is hereby enacted with the intent that it provide incentives for contributions to qualifying charitable projects. It is the intent of the Legislature that this act encourage private sector businesses and individuals to contribute capital to community-based organizations which establish projects to assist neighborhoods and local communities through such services as health care, counseling, emergency assistance, crime prevention, education, housing, job training and physical and environmental improvements.