December 15, 2025
Morgantown, WV – Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia, Inc. (YCF) announces the establishment of the Katie Finklea Fund for Young Dancers. The new endowment has been created by Liz and Harry Finklea to honor the memory and legacy of their daughter Katie, a beloved dance artist and teacher.
The Katie Finklea Fund for Young Dancers will support, in part or in full, the continued education and training of promising dance artists. The fund is specifically for young dancers aged 12-18 who have been given a special opportunity to pursue a career in dance (such as acceptance into a summer training program or workshop), and who require financial support to attend. Eligible recipients may use the award for tuition, materials, housing, food, and/or travel expenses.
Katie received her early training at Morgantown Dance. She earned a prestigious opportunity to study and graduate from the North Carolina School of the Arts High School Ballet Program. She went on to continue her studies at the Boston Ballet School, where she also performed. She then returned to Morgantown and earned a degree in political science from West Virginia University.
Throughout her career, Katie taught students of all ages, supporting their technical development, artistry, and love of dance. Many of her students have gone on to become professional dancers, teachers, and arts advocates throughout the world.
“YCF appreciates the opportunity to support a permanent fund in memory of this remarkable young woman,” said Patty Showers Ryan, President of YCF. “Katie’s legacy will continue through this fund each time a young dancer receives financial support to follow their dreams.”
Once the fund becomes fully endowed at $10,000, the annual earnings may be utilized. Distributions from the Katie Finklea Fund for Young Dancers will be made available to the Board of Directors at Morgantown Dance, which will administer the process for selecting recipients.
Donations to the Katie Finklea Fund for Young Dancers are being accepted by YCF, a tax-exempt public charity serving North Central West Virginia. Gifts in the form of checks, credit cards, stocks, qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, and through bequests are welcome. For more information or to make a gift to this fund, please visit the YCF website at www.ycfwv.org or call us at (304) 296-3433.
Established in 2011, YCF’s mission is to promote philanthropy and build endowment funds to benefit our communities. YCF supports people, programs, and projects in North Central West Virginia through grants and scholarships made possible with charitable donations.
Morgantown Dance was established in 1991 to provide high-quality dance training and performance opportunities. More information is available at morgantowndance.org.
