The Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF) and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville (OHFN) are now accepting applications for their fall 2023 grant cycle. The deadline for submissions is October 13, 2023 and funding decisions will be announced around December 2023.
Since 2013, OHFN has partnered with RCIF to match charitable contributions made by Rocky Brands employees. During the fall 2022 grant cycle, the organizations provided $50,000 to 11 area nonprofit organizations. More than $700,000 in total funding has been awarded through the partnership over the last decade.
About The Rocky Community Improvement Fund
The Rocky Community Improvement Fund was founded by Rocky Brands associates in May 2009 with a mission to provide impactful support to local communities by awarding grants to build a clean, safe, and healthy community for our neighbors. To date, the RCIF has awarded over $700,000 to area nonprofits.
About Rocky Brands, Inc.
Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names. Brands in the portfolio include Rocky®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, The Original Muck Boot Company®, XTRATUF®, Slipgrips®, and Ranger®. More information can be found at RockyBrands.com.
About the Osteopathic Heritage Foundations
The mission of the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville (the Foundations) is to improve the health and quality of life in the community through education, research and service consistent with our osteopathic heritage. More information about the Foundations is available at www.osteopathicheritage.org.
Grant Writing Tips from the Athens County Foundation
Welcome to an exciting chapter of your grant writing journey, where the Athens County Foundation stands by your side as your unwavering supporter. In this article, we’ll offer you some grantwriting tips to help you navigate our grantmaking process. Let’s embark on this journey together as we guide you toward success in your grant application!
Get to know us!
At the Athens County Foundation, we cherish the uniqueness and passion that each grant seeker brings to the table. Please take this opportunity to reach out to our team, introduce yourself, and let us get to know the incredible work you do. We’re eager to learn more about your organization’s story, values, and the community you serve. We welcome you to set a time to meet with our team, participate in our events, take part in our leadership program, or say hi to us when you see us out and about in the community!
Connecting with us allows us to get to know you and find ways we can best support you!
Align Your Mission and Vision
Our work is all about finding the perfect synergy between your vision and our mission. As you begin your grant writing process, we encourage you to explore our funding priorities and guidelines carefully. Start your grant application with a powerful narrative that succinctly conveys the significance of your cause and how it aligns seamlessly with the Foundation’s overarching objectives. Your WHY matters to us, so play around with your quantitative and qualitative data to compose an authentic and compelling story about your work.
Amplify Your Strengths
At the Athens County Foundation, we believe in the strength of our region and our collaborators like you. We appreciate the diverse strengths and expertise, so highlight your organization’s successes, past impact, and unique capabilities – you’re already doing it! By focusing on your strengths, you not only demonstrate your ability to strengthen our region but also your ability to thrive in times of adversity.
Demonstrate Authenticity
A well-researched plan is good, but an authentic plan that embraces imperfections and the limitations of big data is also great. We admire and value transparency in your grantwriting process. Your honest and candid communication with us forms the cornerstone of our brand of philanthropy. Share your organization’s journey openly, including your triumphs and challenges. Your authenticity sets your grant proposal apart and inspires confidence in your work.
Champion Collaborative Efforts
At the heart of the Athens County Foundation’s approach lies a profound appreciation for collaborative endeavors that unite diverse stakeholders in pursuit of inclusive and comprehensive impact. Clearly outline how your project leverages local resources and involves multiple partners, including beneficiaries, community members, and relevant organizations. Emphasize your enthusiasm to collaborate with others to achieve sustainable and transformative outcomes.
Feel free to attach letters of support/commitment from your collaborators and supporters on your grant application. This is optional, but it allows our reviewers to learn about your work through the lens of your supporters. If you are searching for potential partners, we can also help you make connections!
Showcase Measurable Impact
The Athens County Foundation seeks projects that create tangible and lasting differences in the community. We appreciate a healthy mix of data, case studies, and testimonials to illustrate the positive impact of your work and how it will continue to thrive with the Foundation’s support.
Write Smarter, Not Harder
Grant writing is a skill, just like any other. The good news is that there are some fantastic tools out there to assist you. AI-powered assistants can refine your writing, suggest improvements, and ensure your proposal is top-notch. However, when using AI, be mindful of maintaining your unique voice and ensuring your intentions shine through clearly. Moreover, we would like to reiterate that you don’t have to write everything from scratch! Feel free to reuse language from your previous documents or applications; it’s a time-saver and maintains consistency. So, go ahead, leverage these resources, and confidently craft compelling grant applications that stand out in the crowd. And if you still feel overwhelmed, please don’t hesitate to contact our grants team; we’ll be more than happy to assist you!
Additional tip: If you’re planning to apply to multiple funding opportunities, use our portal’s copy function to copy your answers from one form to another. Make sure to double-check your responses, fill in any fields that did not transfer, and edit the fields to match the funding opportunity you are applying for. If you need more help using our system, check out this tutorial article from our software provider or reach out to our team!
Collaborate and Learn from Rejections
Receiving a rejection can be disheartening, but we encourage you to see it as an opportunity for growth, learning, and improvement. We want to stand together with you in both success and setbacks. When faced with rejection, don’t be discouraged—reach out to us, request feedback, and use it to refine your approach. We’re here to help you rise stronger and more determined than ever.
Your grantwriting journey with the Athens County Foundation is infused with the spirit of fostering genuine connections, transparency, and collaboration. We are genuinely excited to see your visions come to life and to be part of your incredible journey. Embrace authenticity, transparency, and community engagement – the values that form the Foundation of our partnership. Together, we’ll create a positive impact that will uplift Athens County for generations to come. Let’s write a grant proposal that reflects your passion and potential – we believe in you, and we’re rooting for your success every step of the way!
The Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities (ACBDD), in partnership with the Athens County Foundation, is proud to announce the 2024 Fall Request for Proposals (RFP) for the ATCO Legacy Fund.
ATCO, which was the ACBDD’s adult services program for nearly 50 years, was a much-beloved program that prioritized advocacy and inclusion for all enrollees in the program. In order to comply with a federal rule, ATCO closed in December 2018 after a three-year transition plan. The ATCO Legacy Fund is designed to allow the ACBDD to carry on the compassion and philosophy developed at ATCO Inc. well into the future. As part of that process, stakeholders helped the ACBDD to identify certain elements from ATCO that could be sustained and enhanced while still remaining in compliance. Those conversations led to the creation of this fund in 2018.
This RFP is designed to offer financial assistance to providers (agency and independent), organizations, and community partners in Athens County interested in working towards integration and inclusive opportunities for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD).
The Athens County Foundation, charged with assisting in the administration of the RFP process, will convene a committee to review all proposals. The committee will then present selection recommendations – based on the criteria outlined below – to the ACBDD’s Superintendent. A more detailed timeline of events is also listed below.
Eligibility
This program is open to any provider of service, community group, organization, or community partner that has the intent to support integration and inclusion for individuals with I/DD in Athens County.
Funding Priorities
These funds can be used for anything creative, so long as it enhances the quality of life AND promotes inclusion/integration for people with I/DD. Examples could be (but not limited to): adapted equipment, transportation needs, technology, innovative programming, and educational material. The structure and funding priorities are intentionally left broad and open-ended to promote creativity and innovation.
Funding Availability
The ACBDD has allocated $20,000.00 for this cycle. Historically, the average award amount has been approximately $3,000, ranging from $900 to $7,500. However, there is no minimum or maximum funding level per request.
In the early hours of a late July morning Program Director Dani Esperanza and Manager of Operations and Special Projects Shayne Lopez embarked on a 350 mile road trip to attend the 2023 Association of Leadership Programs Conference. Beyond the miles traveled, this expedition wove together a tapestry of experiences, learning opportunities, and personal growth that left an indelible mark on their professional lives.
1. Embracing the Unexpected:
As the wheels turned and the road stretched before them, the road trip revealed the allure of the unexpected. Detours and unplanned stops led to serendipitous discoveries – from quaint roadside diners to scenic vistas. This reinforced the notion that embracing the unknown can spark unexpected joys and broaden one’s perspective.
2. Enrichment En Route:
The hours on the road were not idle; they were an opportunity for continuous learning. The staff members curated a spotify playlist of musicals, but also optimized time to discuss their hopes, expectations, plans. This active approach ensured they arrived in Knoxville armed with fresh insights, ready to engage with the conference’s opportunities.
3. Networking Beyond Borders:
The ALP Conference was a melting pot of professionals eager to share knowledge and forge connections. Attending workshops, seminars, and panel discussions facilitated meaningful interactions with like-minded peers from diverse backgrounds. This networking wasn’t confined to the conference halls – the road trip itself provided a platform to establish a deeper bond between the staff members.
4. Reflections on Flexibility:
The journey was punctuated with unexpected twists, highlighting the importance of flexibility in professional growth. Participating in unique experiences in the workshops, keynotes, and affinity groups gave hands on experience and reminded Dani and Shayne to shift perspectives as we approach our programming. Just ask either of them about how they see the cereal isle in the grocery store now. This adaptability seamlessly translated into the conference environment, where open-mindedness is a prized attribute.
5. Culmination of Experiences:
As the wheels turned homeward, the staff members carried with them not just newfound knowledge and connections, but a collage of memories that showcased the symbiotic relationship between travel and personal development. The road trip wasn’t just about reaching a destination; it was about the mosaic of encounters, lessons, and experiences that enriched their journey.
In essence, the road trip from Athens to Rocky Top for the 2023 ALP Conference was more than a physical voyage; it was a voyage of self-discovery, a testament to the value of embracing uncertainty, and a demonstration of how the journey itself can shape the destination.
2023 LACY Summer Cohort Left to Right: Timmy Chesser, Parker Handley, Emily Parsons, Annabelle Lachman, Claire Abraham, Ian Buswell, Ryan Everhart, Felix Wolf, Leland Thacker, Dani Esperanza, program director.
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Youth Leadership Workshop Success!
In the middle of June, the Athens County Foundation (ACF) hosted a summer youth leadership workshop including nine high-school aged emerging leaders from Athens County to explore our new program, provide feedback, and engage in their own leadership journey. Modeled after our flagship Leadership Athens County (LAC) program, Leadership Athens County Youth (LACY) is an eight-month place-based education program for emerging and not-yet-identified leaders of high-school age. Aimed to build a sense of pride in Athens County and Appalachia, introduce core leadership competencies, initiate personal transformation and mastery, as well as prepare emerging leaders to collaborate, innovate, and participate in existing networks. As part of our commitment to co-creating programs and solutions, Athens County Foundation launched this three-day summer workshop to gather feedback and test logistics.
The workshop started out with a mini-retreat and introduction to the program where we took part in team building activities and heard from our strengths and leadership coach, Lauren Borovicka of Authentic Insights, LLC, LAC Class of 2016. After lunch delivered by Donato’s pizza, we went to the Dairy Barn Arts Center outdoor patio to hear from local leader exemplar, Mary Nally of OHIO University’s Center for Community Engagement, LAC Class of 2014 about her unique leadership journey. Finishing out the day, students learned the importance of documenting a journey and the variety of ways one can process those thoughts.
Day 2
With everyone more comfortable with each other, the second day in Chauncey opened bigger conversations around Appalachian culture and history, communication skills, learning through play, and shifting narratives in storytelling. We heard from Village of Chauncey Mayor Amy Renner about the history of Chauncey and how the community is adapting and innovating to usher in the future of outdoor recreation as we toured the new bike path extension from the Chauncey Community Park. The cohort took this time for a brief detour to visit the Baileys Trail System and read the Storybook Trail that is a partnership with Athens County Public Library. Finally, we finished the morning with just plain fun at the new community park playground equipment.
After lunch from Eclipse Company Store, we dove into a writing prompt inspired by Kentucky Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon about realizing where one’s from is more than just a place – it’s experiences, textures, smells, and memories. Then students were eager to hear from Brandon Thompson of Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program, DJ B-Funk, and community event planner, LAC Class of 2020, share his leadership journey as an exemplar. Capping off the day, we used our creative juices to create paper quilt squares that reflect the mosaic of our cohort.
Day 3
On the final day of our workshop, we visited the Federal Valley Resource Center in Stewart, Ohio. The cohort started out revisiting some of the team building activities with additional challenges built in. We discussed the improvement that happened from the first time to the final time and how relationships build trust and communication that ultimately make outcomes better. Excitedly we heard from Mallory Swaim of Mathews Insurance, LAC Class of 2022 share the dozens of groups and activities one can get involved with to build capacity within communities, and how a single volunteer can impact large systems and make connections between organizations. Our leadership competency for the day focused on project and time management and how teams prioritize tasks within a larger project.
Lunch was delivered from Park’s Place and fueled the cohort for the final afternoon. Reflecting on challenges and issues that affect them, we completed the circles of influence activity to understand where folks may or may not have control, and how they might have influence and how to utilize those resources. This was put into action immediately as the cohort problem solved how to retrieve a toy that was stuck from lunch-time games. They were successful!
Then we took time to hear from one member of their own cohort, Nelsonville-York Junior Claire Abraham, founder of the nonprofit the Kathyrn McCoy Resource Project. She shared that you didn’t need to have all the answers or know exactly what to do but when you see a need you’re called to make a difference.
In Summary
As we closed out the workshop, our closing circle and debrief we were grateful to receive a wealth of feedback from students including how eye-opening this experience was. The consensus was that visiting these different locations, eating local foods, and hearing from local leaders was “really cool.” Another student shared that they felt more confident expressing what they see as needs to be addressed. A third student shared how helpful it was to see leaders who spoke about doubt, uncertainty, and joy in their own leadership journey. One student said that their biggest take away was that they didn’t need to wait to be an adult to make a difference and be a leader.
While staff have some minor adjustments to make, overwhelmingly, participants shared their optimism and excitement for the full pilot launching in October 2023 and many committed to being a part of it.
If you’d like to learn more, please reach out to me!
Dani Esperanza, Program Director
Reflection Activities
“I am from…” Poem 1 by LACY 2023 Cohort
I am from waking up to the smell of
Nan‘s fresh baked bread.
I am from quarantining and those masks
that created a familiar odor after a while.
I am from family reunions at the lake filled with people
I’ve never seen before who swore up and down
that they know me and I just didn’t remember.
I am from glorious pains of turf burns after winning a soccer game
From sweet corn bread warm from grandma’s oven, dripping with butter.
I’m from long days, a warm old house, burgers on the grill, and
football on in the background at all times.
I’m for Popsicles on the porch in the evening bare feet on the wood,
and hands sticky with juice, only let back in once we had finished.
I’m from the flashlights, illuminating the halls of The Ridges
From the lit-up streets of Uptown.
I’m from telephone poles as far as the railroad track goes,
the smell of a freshly mowed lawn.
Mountains, hills, trees, and grass, an old gas station,
closed, long-ago.
People, and things passed I’ll never see again.
“I am from…” Poem 2 by 2023 Youth Cohort
I am from paper clips
From RadioShack in McDonald’s.
I am from the big red brick house,
Old, hot, loud and full of family.
I am from monstera,
large, green, and smooth.
I am from Thanksgiving feasts shared together
and from blue-eyed and full of hair.
I am from the Averys and the Coltrane’s
From “Buck up!” and “Don’t talk to strangers.”
I am from a cross tall on the hill and
no beliefs because spirituality is sticky – complicated.
I am from Athens County. Coal towns, bricks
and freedom through learning.
Buckeye candy and paw paws.
From broken bones and bruises on the playground
And the Friday night family movies.
In a glass door hutch, memories saved
to pass on proud heritage.
The online event ticket page allows anyone to purchase event tickets from any browser. A registrant can navigate directly to the events page, a campaign, or a ticket if a URL for that item is accessible to them. They can also navigate to your organization’s donation portal and select the Event Tickets bucket.
Register for Event
These are the steps a registrant will take to register for an event.
Navigate to an event registration page.
This will vary depending on what link they click to access the online donation portal.
Click the name of the ticket they want to register for/purchase.
Fill in Quantity.
If Additional Donation has been enabled on this ticket, there is an option to fill in Additional Donation.
The Total Amount will automatically calculate based on Quantity, Price and Additional Donation amount.
Click Add to Cart.
The registrant will then finalize the registration process.
If the ticket allows guests, they will be prompted to enter the guest information.
If the ticket has a charge, they will enter their credit card information.
On Thursday, May 18, the 2022-23 Leadership Athens County cohort graduated. Twenty-one leaders learned, networked, and connected throughout the year. We are grateful for their commitment to leadership and service.
This year’s graduates are: Amy Sheridan, Chelsea Clark-Besic, Devon Morrow, Grant DeLancey, Hans Beutner, Jasmin Facun, Jennifer Parks, Jerry Swackhamer, Katherine Ann Jordan, Laura Stewart, Lydia Dippre, Matt Herink, Molly Jo Stanley, Nathaniel Berger, Paul Isherwood, Ricky Chilcott, Rob Russell, Ryan Collins, Sarah Jones, Sean King, and Valerie Keeney
We intend to hold the program in person, following all recommended health and safety guidelines at the time of the session.
Schedule*
Programming will take place from 8:00 AM-3:30 PM on the below dates unless otherwise noted. Sessions will take place throughout Athens County as noted and includes on-site visits and tours, speakers, case studies and discussions, and group activities. Attendance is required at all sessions and all activities within session.
UPDATE: This opportunity is now open to ALL high-school aged folks in Athens County.
Attention rising sophomores and juniors in Athens County! If you’re looking for an opportunity to grow your leadership skills and make a difference in your community, we have an exciting program for you.
The Athens County Foundation, in partnership with the Leadership Athens County Advisory Board, is proud to launch our youth leadership programming initiative. We invite you to apply for the Leadership Athens County Youth Summer Workshop.
This three-day program, taking place on June 13 – 15, will provide you with an opportunity to explore Athens County’s economic, political, social, and cultural landscape, develop your leadership skills, and connect with other like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference in Athens County. (For the full schedule, go here)
Our program will take place at three different locations in Athens County, and we have a full schedule planned for you. You’ll learn about Appalachian culture, recognize unique assets, understand community capacity, and more.
To be eligible for this program, you must either learn or reside in Athens County, have a strong interest in becoming a leader in your community, be able to attend all sessions and retreats, and have the support of your caregiver and school to participate.
We’re looking to select up to 30 participants from diverse backgrounds, including age, gender, academic standing, leadership experience/roles, place of residency and education, race, ethnicity, and nationality.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to develop your leadership skills, connect with others, and make a positive impact on Athens County. Apply now using our application form linked below, and take the first step towards becoming a future leader in your community. We can’t wait to hear from you!
If you need help completing the form, we can help you! Schedule a time to speak with our staff here.
We are pleased to announce that our new Donation portal is now Live! *happy dance*
We are excited to launch this new donation system that will help streamline our accounting process and data management process. We hope you like the new system as much as we do!
Getting to the New Donation Portal
Look for the Donate button around our website to get to the new donation page.
You may also copy and paste this link into your browser https://athens.fcsuite.com/erp/donate.
The new look of our online giving page!
You can donate to any of our Featured Funds or look for the fund of your choice using the search bar or clicking the “show all funds list” at the bottom of the page.
Need help picking a fund to support? Contact us and we will help you personalize your giving and achieve your giving goals.
Making an Online Donation
To make an online donation, simply complete the donation form, and click Add to Cart.
If you want to give to another fund, you may select Continue Giving and select another fund to support. When you are done, select Checkout and follow the prompts.
If you need help navigating our system, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Call us at 740-594-6061 ext 14 (Monday-Friday, 10-4) or email us anytime at info@athensfoundation.org.
