Chris Phillips Foundation Fund
The Chris Phillips Foundation is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Christopher Floyd Phillips by fostering a lifelong love for the outdoors through mountain biking, trail building, and youth engagement in Tucker County.
Type of Fund: Field of Interest
Date Established: July 2025
Purpose: The Chris Phillips Foundation is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Christopher Floyd Phillips by fostering a lifelong love for the outdoors through mountain biking, trail building, and youth engagement. Rooted in Chris's deep connection to Canaan Valley Area and the Mountain State he proudly called home, the Chris Phillips Foundation supports the development and maintenance of sustainable trail systems, conservation of West Virginia's natural landscapes, and expanded access to outdoor recreation in Tucker County for all.
Central to the mission of the Chris Phillips Foundation is introducing and engaging youth in the sport of mountain biking, offering opportunities for exploration, confidence building, and the connection with nature. Inspired by Chris's journey as an Eagle Scout, professional rider, and devoted community leader, the Chris Phillips Foundation aims to remove barriers and open doors for the next generation to experience the thrill, freedom, and camaraderie that riding, and the outdoors can offer.
Through its programs and partnerships, the Chris Phillips Foundation continues Chris's legacy of adventure, stewardship, and heartfelt service to others, empowering young people and outdoor communities alike to thrive on and off the trail.
FUNDING: Initial funding in the amount of $20,000 with other donations to come from former coworkers, friends and family. This fund may accept donations in cash or other property acceptable to the Foundation.
BACKGROUND: Christopher Floyd Phillips (1985-2025) was a passionate outdoorsman, devoted son and brother, and respected professional whose life embodied adventure, service and integrity. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Chris grew up with a deep love for the Appalachian Mountains, a love that would guide his life's pursuits, from business to biking, and eventually to the founding vision behind The Chris Phillips Foundation.
After graduating from Morgantown High School in 2003, Chris went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Business and Communication from West Virginia University. From an early age, he showed a strong sense of responsibility and leadership, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout under the mentorship of National Scoutmaster Pat Ryan. His dedication to service and outdoors remained core to his identity throughout his life.
Chris was an accomplished mountain biker who raced professionally with Team DEVO and later served on the board of the West Virginia Mountain Bike Association. He was a champion of sustainable trail development and community outreach, spending countless hours building, maintaining, and riding the trails of Canaan Valley and beyond. Whether working with tools in hand or silnply encouraging new riders, Chris was a cornerstone of the mountain biking community in West Virginia.
Professionally, Chris carried on a proud family tradition as a third-generation agent with New York Life. Joining the company in 2010, he became a registered representative with New York Life Insurance and Securities and earned Executive Council honors multiple times. He was known not only for his financial acumen but also for his sincerity and loyalty to his clients. Alongside his work in financial services, Chris also managed MJH Development Corporation and served as the majority owner of CMBMJ Properties, LLC.
Chris had a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, particularly as a collector of historical firearms, and he was never happier than when he was out in nature with his loyal black lab, Maya. Whether biking forest ridges or hiking through quiet woodlands, Chris found peace and meaning in the land. His time spent in Canaan Valley was especially dear to him, and it became the spiritual heart of the work he hoped to support through his foundation.
In the final months of his life, Chris began laying the groundwork for what would become the Chris Phillips Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting mountain biking, trail conservation, and environmental stewardship in the Canaan Valley region. Though his life was cut shon, his vision lives on: a commitment to preserving the places he loved and inspiring future generations to ride, build and protect.
Chris is remembered for his generosity, sense of humor, and unwavering love for family and community. His spirit continues to ride every trail, and his legacy endures in every effort made to protect and grow the outdoor spaces he held so close to his heart.