Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants

By Shayne Lopez | Published April 27, 2023

Athens County Foundation Announces Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Program

A new grant opportunity supports capacity development for nonprofits serving Athens County!

The Athens County Foundation (ACF) has a rich history of supporting the community and the local nonprofit ecosystem through grantmaking, strategic engagements, and leadership development. Throughout the pandemic, nonprofits faced a surge in demand for their services despite their limited financial and operational capacity. To address this, ACF adapted its grantmaking to better respond to these needs in a timely and effective manner. ACF is committed to continued capacity development for nonprofits, so they can better accomplish their missions – now and into the future.

The Athens County Foundation, in partnership with Sisters Health Foundation, announces the availability of $52,000 to support capacity development for nonprofits serving Athens County. The Foundation will grant up to $3,000 per applicant to support capacity-building activities. Some examples of eligible activities are:

Board or staff development or training
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training
Donor engagement consulting
Financial/accounting support
Grantwriting support
Meeting facilitation/moderation
Policy manuals or procedures creation or training (e.g., human resources))
Social media consulting
Staff health and wellness
Stipends for advisors

Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis from established nonprofit organizations or fiscally sponsored organizations. Initial preference will be given to smaller institutions with significant needs.

The Athens County Foundation is also launching its new online grant management system, so applicants are encouraged to check out our website to find more information about the grant program and how to apply online.

About the Athens County Foundation 

The Athens County Foundation invests in local strategies to empower Athens County residents and build on the strengths of our region now and for generations to come. For more information, visit athensfoundation.org.

About the Sisters Health Foundation

The Sisters Health Foundation supports efforts that promote and address healthy eating, active living; thriving neighborhoods; and mental health and addiction in the Mid-Ohio Valley. For more information, visit sistershealthfdn.org

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Appalachian Community Grant Program Award

By Shayne Lopez | Published March 20, 2023

$2 million community-focused renovations to The Athens Armory will support business growth, remote working, leadership development, nonprofit support services

Athens, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted announced the first-round recipients of the Appalachian Community Grant Program, which includes the planned renovations of The Athens Armory. The Athens Armory project was funded as part of a larger four-county initiative called At Work in Appalachia. Developed in partnership by the City of Athens and other Appalachian communities, At Work in Appalachia establishes coordinated, interconnected remote work and entrepreneur hubs, and locally-designed health and workforce development programming through a series of public and private partnerships.

“This landmark investment in Appalachia is going to change lives and improve communities,” said Athens Mayor Steve Patterson. “The communities of the At Work in Appalachia program express their deepest gratitude to Governor DeWine, Lieutenant Governor Husted, Director Mihalek, Director Carey, and to all of the partners who helped make this program a success.”

In addition to The Athens Armory, the funds will help complete several capital projects within four Appalachian communities of Ohio: The Logan Theater in Logan; The Space at the Hocking Hills Chamber of Commerce; The Somerset Builder’s Club in Somerset; and the Coshocton Collaborative in Coshocton. These projects are “lynchpin” projects, which will breathe new vibrancy into long-neglected downtown districts, and will serve as catalysts for further improvements and development.

“The Athens Armory is an iconic community asset, built for civic purpose,” said Kerry Pigman, executive director of the Athens County Foundation. “It will now have a new life, adapted for advancing our Athens County communities today. We are grateful to have worked alongside the City of Athens and so many community partners and individuals whose ideas shaped the vision for how this space would best serve Athens county and our region.”

The plans for The Athens Armory call for a community gathering space that will be available for use by organizations and the general public. Portions of the building will be designed as shared workspace and the permanent offices for the Athens County Foundation. The Athens County Foundation is expanding and evolving their flagship Leadership Athens County Program to provide new opportunities for collaboration, skill-building, and community service to emerging leaders, youth, and the more than 300 alumni of the program. From this new space, the Athens County Foundation will be able to offer expanded services that respond to community needs and help nonprofits to thrive and be sustainable.

In total, the At Work in Appalachia initiative was awarded $17,674,641 from the Ohio Department of Development and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia through the Appalachian Community Grant Program. The program dedicated $500 million to Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region through House Bill 377 and is intended to revitalize communities and stimulate transformational change through specific projects that focus on infrastructure development, physical and behavioral health, and workforce development. At Work in Appalachia is one of four projects that received funding in this $50 million first round of awards.

Founded in 1980, the Athens County Foundation invests in local strategies to empower Athens County residents and build on the strengths of our region now and for generations to come.

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Now Accepting Nominations for Annual Awards: Woman of the Year and Senior of the Year

By Shayne Lopez | Published March 3, 2023

Athens County Foundation now accepting nominations for annual awards: Woman of the Year and Senior of the Year

The Athens County Foundation is accepting nominations for the Woman of the Year and Senior of the Year awards. These annual awards recognize contributions and leadership from those who are making a difference here in Athens County. The awardees will be honored at the Foundation’s Community Celebration event on March 28th. All nominees and nominators will be invited to the event as well.

Woman of the Year

This award is supported by the Athens County Foundation Women’s Fund. Nominees should demonstrate a courageous voice that has been — or needs to be — heard, identify as a woman, and be someone who has made a difference for women or girls in Athens County.

Senior of the Year

This award is supported by the Athens Jaycees Senior Fund. Nominees are seniors (age 60+) who have provided key leadership in our community, especially related to issues affecting the quality of life of seniors or in philanthropy in Athens County.

Nomination process

Send nominations to Eleni Zulia at eleni@athensfoundation.org by Wednesday, March 15. The nomination should include a paragraph explaining the impact the individual has made in Athens County and why they should be recognized. Also include the name, address, email and phone number of you and the nominee. The committees affiliated with each fund will recommend the awardee to the Athens County Foundation Board for selection.

NOMINATE NOW

About the Women’s Fund

The mission of the Women’s Fund of the Athens County Foundation is to promote philanthropy among women, and to establish a permanent fund that supports programs and projects in Athens County that empower women and girls to achieve their full potential.

About the Athens Jaycees Senior Fund

Established in 2014, the Athens Jaycees Senior Fund supports programs and services that benefit older adults in Athens County.

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A Celebration of Community 2023

By Shayne Lopez | Published March 3, 2023

The Athens County Foundation and our partners, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville, Sisters Health Foundation, and the Rocky Community Improvement Fund, invite you to join us in celebrating our community! We hope to see you at Stuart’s Opera House on March 28 from 5 to 7 PM for a night of celebration. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

We look forward to an evening to honor and celebrate our grantee partners, donors, and community awardees. Please register below to let us know of your attendance. Once the event is full, we will close registration so please sign up early to secure your spot!

Thank you for your ongoing support and we hope to see you there!

RSVP

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RCIF Spring 2023 Cycle is Now Open

By Shayne Lopez | Published February 21, 2023

Rocky Community Improvement Fund and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville Announce Spring 2023 Grant Cycle

NELSONVILLE, Ohio (February 16, 2023) – The Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF) and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville (OHFN) are now accepting applications for their spring 2023 grant cycle. The deadline for submissions is April 14, 2023 and funding decisions will be announced after June 1, 2023.

Information on submission guidelines is available at www.rockybrands.com or by emailing rcif@rockybrands.com.

Through its 2023 grants, RCIF and OHFN are supporting programs focused on healthy food access, educational opportunities, behavioral health services, and programming for older adults.

“Southeast Ohio is often an area with underserved populations with unmet needs. Our partnership with OHFN is vital to advancing our community initiatives to create new opportunities and boost current programs,” said Bobby Smathers, Chairperson for RCIF.

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.

“OHFN’s partnership with RCIF reflects our commitment to partnering with other funders to reach more nonprofit and community organizations addressing important community needs,” said OHFN Director of Programs Megan Wanczyk. “We’re grateful for the generosity of Rocky employees that fund the RCIF and makes our shared investments in the community possible.”

RCIF was launched in 2009 and has contributed to more than 150 local initiatives or projects.

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®, Servus®, 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.

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Help Us Explore LAC Youth!

By Shayne Lopez | Published February 14, 2023

Launched in 2006, Leadership Athens County (LAC) was designed by a group of community leaders to respond to the need of building local leadership capacity. The flagship program is designed to build participants’ knowledge, capacity, and commitment to leadership in Athens County through exploration of Athens County’s economic, political, social, and cultural landscape through discussions of current issues and conversations with community leaders.

Now with 300-plus alumni and 17 years of experience, LAC is ripe for expansion in additional directions to build a cadre of informed, connected, and committed leaders ready to tackle current and future challenges.

Together with its LAC Advisory Board, the Athens County Foundation is exploring youth programming targeted at next-generation leaders in Athens County. Centering young people in our community is our first step in this exploration. We are inviting ALL young people (ages 13-19) and their caregivers to answer a short survey to gauge interest and availability, and to share opinions about opportunities and challenges. This feedback is critical to the development of a successful program that is supportive and responsive to the needs and goals of the community.

To learn more about Leadership Athens County and youth programming, please contact our Program Director, Dani Esperanza.

Take the survey today by clicking the buttons below!

Youth Survey Caregiver Survey

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FY 2022 List of Grantees

By Shayne Lopez | Published January 31, 2023

Organization	Description	Grant Amount
DONOR ADVISED FUND
2020 Vision Sports Corp.	general support	$1,000.00
Allenspark Fire Department	general support	$500.00
Arts West	general support	$500.00
Athens Conservancy	general support	$1,000.00
Athens County Foundation	children’s program grants	$10,000.00
Athens County Foundation	for general operating expenses	$5,000.00
Athens County Foundation LLC Services	Athens County Independent	$25,000.00
Athens County Historical Society & Museum	general support	$500.00
Bobbie Merritt Foundation	general support	$1,000.00
Carousel of Happiness	in memory of Ray Sheriff	$500.00
Community Food Initiatives	general support	$500.00
Container Recycling Institute	general support	$500.00
Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park, Inc.	General use	$1,000.00
Dairy Barn	general support	$500.00
Esselstyn Family Foundation, Inc.	General use	$500.00
Fort Worth Education Center	for the Julie Rowe Education Fund; from the Athens, Ohio, Kostohryz family	$1,000.00
Friends of Athens Public Library	general support	$500.00
Friends of Strouds Run	general support	$1,000.00
Friends Of The Hocking Hills State Park	general use; in honor of Jo Kappas	$500.00
Friends of the Shelter Dogs Inc.	general support	$500.00
Good Works	general support	$1,000.00
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio	Playhouse Build	$3,000.00
Live Healthy Appalachia	general support	$5,000.00
Live Healthy Appalachia	General use	$7,000.00
Mully Childrens Family USA Inc	from the Kostohryz family for general school needs	$5,000.00
National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force	in memory of Robert E Sheriff	$500.00
Ohio Counseling Association	2022 Tom Davis Outstanding Mentor Award	$200.00
Ohio Counseling Association	Tom Davis Outstanding Mentor Award	$300.00
OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital	Lovelights Project	$500.00
Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia	general support for the Baileys Trail System	$2,500.00
Parkersburg Art Center	general support	$500.00
Passion Works	general support	$500.00
Project Plant	general support	$500.00
Rocky Mountain Conservancy	general support	$500.00
Rural Action	general support	$1,000.00
Shade Community Center Association	General use	$1,000.00
Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions	Oxygen Generating Plant	$34,000.00
Stripes Of A Warrior Inc	general support	$500.00
Stuart’s Opera House	general support	$1,000.00
The Old Gallery	general support	$1,000.00
The Wild Animal Sanctuary	general support	$1,000.00
What About Remembering Me Center Inc	In memory of Julie Rowe from the Athens, Ohio, Kostohryz family	$1,000.00
		$119,000.00
DESIGNATED
American Legion Post 21	Athens Area Stand Down Annual Event	$5,000.00
Center for the Creation of Cooperation	Research Support	$3,923.00
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio	Pledge payment	$10,000.00
Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library	Library Support	$10,003.50
Wellston Public Library	Library Support	$10,003.50
		$38,930.00
FALL
Appalachian Center For Economic Networks Inc	Appalachian Accessible Food	$25,840.00
Athens Area Mediation Service	Fund to support the incorporation of AP4RE and website	$421.00
Athens Area Mediation Service	Fund to support the incorporation of AP4RE and website	$979.00
Athens County Children’s Services	Buckeye Bags Food Access Program	$316.01
Athens County Children’s Services	Buckeye Bags Food Access Program	$3,683.99
Cannabis Museum	Operational Support to help Build ADA Compliant Bathrooms	$10,000.00
Community Food Initiatives	AFM:50 Years Nourishing our Community	$1,200.00
Dairy Barn	Summer Art Camp 2022	$5,064.00
Glouster Revitalization Organization	Knights of Pythias Building Renovation	$12,600.00
HAVAR Inc.	Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Support Initiative	$3,668.00
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action	Athens County Broadband Program and Coordinator	$3,000.00
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action	Athens County Broadband Program and Coordinator	$2,000.00
Lifecare Alliance	Central Ohio Diabetes Association Camp Programming	$307.00
Lifecare Alliance	Central Ohio Diabetes Association Camp Programming	$532.00
Lifecare Alliance	Central Ohio Diabetes Association Camp Programming	$494.99
Lifecare Alliance	Central Ohio Diabetes Association Camp Programming	$3,666.01
Lutheran Social Services	LSS Food Pantries in Athens County	$366.00
Lutheran Social Services	LSS Food Pantries in Athens County	$2,256.00
Paper Circle	New Printer	$245.00
Passion Works	Community Arts Night	$1,302.00
Passion Works	Community Arts Night	$1,588.00
Passion Works	Social Impact Initiatives-Mobile Art Project	$6,000.00
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio	Promoting Access for Uninsured and Underinsured Patients at the Athens County Health Center	$10,000.00
Rising Appalachia	Expanding nature-based opportunities for SE Ohio Youth	$6,400.00
Ronald McDonald Charities of Central Ohio	Helping Hands Program	$990.00
Ronald McDonald Charities of Central Ohio	Helping Hands Program	$2,010.00
Rural Action	Appalachian Stewards-Educating for Resilience	$5,892.75
Rural Action	Appalachian Stewards-Educating for Resilience	$311.00
Rural Action	Appalachian Stewards-Educating for Resilience	$91.01
Rural Action	Appalachian Stewards-Educating for Resilience	$867.00
Rural Action	Appalachian Stewards-Educating for Resilience	$338.24
Sons Of Union Veterans Of The Civil War	Chauncey Boys Historical Marker	$1,552.00
Sons Of Union Veterans Of The Civil War	Chauncey Boys Historical Marker	$709.00
Sons Of Union Veterans Of The Civil War	Chauncey Boys Historical Marker	$299.00
Sons Of Union Veterans Of The Civil War	Chauncey Boys Historical Marker	$247.00
Sons Of Union Veterans Of The Civil War	Chauncey Boys Historical Marker	$193.00
Southeast Ohio Free Pharmacy	Website Build	$27.00
Southeast Ohio Free Pharmacy	Website Build	$342.00
Southeast Ohio Free Pharmacy	Website Build	$3,631.00
Tenderfoot Fair Trade Learning Lab	Sustainable Spring Break Program	$2,007.76
The Appalachian Children Coalition	Financial Administration Capacity Around State Budget Line Item	$5,000.00
The Athens Village, Inc.	Healthy Aging at Home Program	$7,500.00
The Birth Circle	Prepared Parents Workshop	$5,500.00
The Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program	New Leaf Nelsonville Community Resource and meeting space	$4,790.00
United Seniors of Athens	Marketing and Promotion of Athens County Cares	$7,500.00
Village of Albany	Albany Comprehensive Plan	$1,335.00
Village of Albany	Albany Comprehensive Plan	$5,100.00
Village of Albany	Albany Comprehensive Plan	$4,001.00
Village of Albany	Albany Comprehensive Plan	$5,564.00
		$167,726.76
FALL,OHFN Subgrant
Athens County Child Advocacy Center	IT Security & Accessibility Project	$8,683.99
Glouster Revitalization Organization	Knights of Pythias Building Renovation	$9,400.00
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action	Athens County Broadband Program and Coordinator	$15,000.00
Live Healthy Appalachia	Meal Kit Project	$13,515.00
Lutheran Social Services	LSS Food Pantries in Athens County	$378.00
Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery	STEAM Packs for Teachers	$4,191.00
Passion Works	Community Arts Night	$2,510.00
The Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program	New Leaf Nelsonville Community Resource and meeting space	$10,210.00
		$63,887.99
OHFN Subgrant
Athens County Children’s Services	Buckeye Bag Food Access Program	$7,000.00
Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center	PROJECT RISE: Internship	$3,000.00
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio	2022 Build	$5,000.00
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action	Care Kits & Resource Information for the Unhoused	$4,000.00
Hocking College Foundation	Recovery Community Organization at Hocking College	$2,000.00
Integrated Services	The Hive: Summer Splash	$6,000.00
Logan Hocking Local School District	Helping Families Be Healthy Families	$2,000.00
Lutheran Social Services	LSS Food Pantries in Athens County	$2,500.00
Meigs County Farmers Market Llc	Meigs County Innovative Youth Society	$5,000.00
Nelsonville Presbyterian PreKindergarten	Fencing for outdoor play area	$1,000.00
Ohio University	CAT Camp	$1,500.00
Southeast Ohio Free Pharmacy	Medication Storage	$2,000.00
Truth Food Pantry, Inc. (agape)	Food Safety	$2,000.00
Women for Recovery	Bathroom Renovation	$2,000.00
		$45,000.00
OHFN Subgrant,RESPONSE
Athens County Community Singers	Music Performance to Enhance Learning and Community	$4,000.00
Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center	Athens County School Staff Wellness Pilot	$3,000.00
Athens Photographic Project	iPad Funding for Intro Artists	$2,292.00
Hopewell Health Centers	Early Childhood Programs Holiday Gift Bags	$325.00
Hopewell Health Centers	Wellness for Hopewell Staff	$6,575.31
The Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program	Athens City School District Pandemic Health Needs Assessment	$12,000.00
		$28,192.31
ORG FUND Recurring
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio	Org Fund Allocation FY2022	$7,682.00
Rural Action	Org Fund Allocation FY2022	$3,360.00
The Athens Village, Inc.	Org Fund Allocation FY2022	$799.00
The Birth Circle	Org Fund Allocation FY2022	$467.00
		$12,308.00
RACIAL EQUITY
Showing Up For Racial Justice Education Fund Inc	Nelsonville Voices Listening Project	$2,500.00
		$2,500.00
RCIF FALL
Athens County Children’s Services	Buckeye Bag Food Access Program	$4,586.00
Big Brother Big Sisters Association of Greater Central Ohio	Camp Oty’Okwa	$1,100.00
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action	Care Kits & Resource Information for the Unhoused	$1,000.00
Lifecare Alliance	Central Ohio Diabetes Association (CODA)	$2,000.00
Meigs County Farmers Market Llc	Meigs County Innovative Youth Society	$774.00
Nelsonville Presbyterian PreKindergarten	Outdoor Activities/educational supplies	$2,000.00
Southeast Ohio Free Pharmacy	Medication Storage	$2,000.00
Truth Food Pantry, Inc. (agape)	Food Safety	$1,040.00
Working Tools Company	Shop with a Cop	$3,000.00
York Township Fire Department	Christmas Dinner Food Baskets	$2,500.00
		$20,000.00
RCIF SPRING
Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center	PROJECT RISE: Internship	$2,000.00
Big Brother Big Sisters Association of Greater Central Ohio	Camp Oty’Okwa-Summer camp for Athens and Hocking County youth	$3,600.00
Community Food Initiatives	Veggie Van Sustainability	$1,100.00
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio	2022 Build	$5,000.00
Integrated Services	The Hive: Summer Splash	$4,000.00
Logan Hocking Local School District	Helping Families Be Healthy Families	$2,000.00
Lutheran Social Services	LSS Food Pantries in Athens County	$2,500.00
Nelsonville Presbyterian PreKindergarten	Fencing for outdoor play area	$600.00
Ohio University	CAT Camp	$500.00
Village of New Straitsville	The Delyn Center Restroom Completion	$3,200.00
Women for Recovery	Bathroom Renovation	$500.00
		$25,000.00
RESPONSE
Athens City-County Health Dept.	Age-Friendly Athens County Initiative Development	$25,000.00
Athens County Community Singers	Music Performance to Enhance Learning and Community	$2,360.00
Athens County Foundation	to establish the Blue Dot Coworking Fund	$25,000.00
Athens County Foundation	to estalish the Blue Dot Coworking Fund	$5,000.00
Athens County Foundation LLC Services	Athens County Independent Development Support	$5,000.00
Athens County Historical Society & Museum	Emergency Elevator Repairs	$5,993.92
Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center	Athens County School Staff Wellness Pilot	$4,000.00
Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center	Paid Internships for HS Students	$5,000.00
Athens Photographic Project	iPad Funding for Intro Artists	$2,292.00
Calliope Feminist Choir	Return to Safe Indoor Rehearsals with Clean Air	$951.98
Dairy Barn	Dairy Barn Strategic Planning Project	$5,000.00
Dairy Barn	Elevator Repair	$3,195.00
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action	Food Not Fees	$4,000.00
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action	Food Not Fees	$1,000.00
Hopewell Health Centers	Early Childhood Programs Holiday Gift Bags	$325.00
Hopewell Health Centers	Wellness for Hopewell Staff	$6,575.30
Hopewell Health Centers	Wellness for Hopewell Staff	$6,575.31
Ohio Valley School Of Celtic Dance And Culture	Operational Support	$4,000.00
The Athens Village, Inc.	Social Transportation	$2,500.00
The Birth Circle	Perinatal Resource and Community Hub	$5,000.00
The iBelieve Foundation	Youth Leadership Workshop	$3,500.00
The Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program	Athens City School District Pandemic Health Needs Assessment	$6,000.00
Women for Recovery	Serenity Grove Addition and Renovation Project	$15,706.34
		$143,974.85
RESPONSE,GRATITUDE
Alexander Local School	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
American Red Cross	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Appalachian Center For Economic Networks Inc	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens Area Mediation Service	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens City-County Health Dept.	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens City School District	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens County Board of DD-Beacon School	Gratitude Grant for Beacon School	$400.00
Athens County Children’s Services	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens County Community Singers	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens County Department of Job & Family Services	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens County Firefighters Association	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens County Historical Society & Museum	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens County Land Reutilization Corporation	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens County Public Libraries	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Athens Photographic Project	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Cannabis Museum	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Community Food Initiatives	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD)	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Dairy Barn	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Edna Brooks Foundation (dba My Sisters Place)	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Federal Hocking Local Schools	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Federal Valley Resource Center, Inc.	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Glouster Revitalization Organization	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Good Works	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
HAVAR Inc.	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Hopewell Health Centers	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Integrated Services	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Live Healthy Appalachia	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Lutheran Social Services	Gratitude Grant for Athens Food Pantries	$400.00
Nelsonville Division of Fire	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Nelsonville Presbyterian PreKindergarten	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Nelsonville-York City Schools	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
OhioHealth Foundation	Gratitude Grant for OhioHealth O’bleness	$400.00
Ohio State Legal Services Association	Gratitude Grant for SEOLS	$400.00
Ohio University	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Ohio Valley School Of Celtic Dance And Culture	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Paper Circle	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Passion Works	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio	Gratitude Grant for Athens Health Center	$400.00
Rising Appalachia	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Rural Action	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Shade Community Center Association	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Sons Of Union Veterans Of The Civil War	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Southeast Ohio Free Pharmacy	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Southeast Ohio Youth Mentoring Inc.	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Stuart’s Opera House	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Tenderfoot Fair Trade Learning Lab	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
The Athens Village, Inc.	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
The Birth Circle	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
The Plains United Methodist Church	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
The Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Torch Feed My Sheep	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Tri-County Career Center	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Trimble Local Schools	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
UCM-Center for Spiritual Growth & Scl. Jst.	Gratitude Grant for Athens Asian American Alliance	$400.00
United Seniors of Athens	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Village of Albany	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
Women for Recovery	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
York Township Fire Department	Gratitude Grant	$400.00
		$25,200.00
RESPONSE,RACIAL EQUITY
Athens Area Mediation Service	Support for Book Clubs	$3,780.00
Athens United Immigrant Support Project	CLINIC Convening annual meeting	$700.00
Stuart’s Opera House	Late 20th Century Dance Party	$3,840.00
		$8,320.00
OTHERS
Good Works	In honor of LAC Class of 2021-2022	$250.00
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio	Home Build	$15,000.00
Ohio University	ATHENS COUNTY FOUNDATION SUPPORT 22-23: GRANT1/2	$26,800.00
Passion Works	Juneteenth Sponsorship	$2,500.00
Philanthropy Ohio	Annual membership fee	$1,337.00
WOUB	WOUB Support for FY2022	$2,500.00
		$48,387.00
		$748,426.91

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REGISTER | 2022 ACF Annual Business Meeting

By Shayne Lopez | Published January 10, 2023

You are invited!

Please join the Athens County Foundation Board and staff at our Annual Business meeting, on January 31^st at noon. During this short virtual meeting, we will provide a recap of the Foundation’s activities and impact during 2022. Please click the button below to register.

An in-person celebration is planned for March to celebrate our 2022 awardees, grantees, and donors. Please stay tuned for future communications. Thank you!

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Dani Esperanza is ACF’s New Program Director

By Shayne Lopez | Published December 16, 2022

Meet our new Program Director, Dani!

We are pleased to announce that Dani Esperanza is joining our team as Program Director!

Originally from Texas, Dani Esperanza (they/them) has been proud to call Athens home for the past 16 years. Their career has centered community engagement, programming, leadership, and development through roles with area businesses and non-profits including, most recently, the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce. Dani is excited to bring their enthusiasm for collaboration, creativity, and community into this programming role!

As Program Director, Dani will manage and direct our signature Leadership Athens County program. They will also help us to develop complementary and expanded leadership programming as well as support services that our nonprofit partners need to thrive and increase our collective impact.

We are thrilled that Dani is joining our team. Please join us in welcoming them to the Athens County Foundation. Dani can be reached at dani@athensfoundation.org.

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Fall Grant Cycle 2022

By Shayne Lopez | Published September 6, 2022

We are now accepting application for our Fall Grant Cycle!

For Fall 2022, we will consider grants applications that impact the following fields of interest:

improve the quality of life for seniors
provide support for women and/or children
support education success for children
projects that reduce the carbon footprint
creative projects that enhance the quality of life and promotes inclusion/integration for adults with disabilities
sustainable
promotes and advances racial equity
advances organizational resilience

The recommended minimum proposal amount is $1,000. Average grants range from $3,000-8,000. If you are planning to submit a proposal for more than $20,000, we strongly recommend you contact ACF staff prior to submission to discuss your proposal.

The deadline for Fall Cycle applications is October 31, 2022.

Timeline:

Sept 6-Oct 31: Application Period

Nov-Dec: Review Period

Jan 2023: Announcement of awardee

Donor-Advised Funds

The following Donor-Advised Funds typically consider proposals submitted through ACF’s annual Fall Grant Cycle. If you think your proposal fits the funding priority of the funds described below, kindly let us know when you submit your application. Thank you!

Children Conservation League	The Intermediate Circle of the Child Conservation League is working to improve the quality of life for children in our community. Since 1970, CCL has donated over $270,000 to children’s charities and continues to host the annual Starlight Ball.
John Glazer Impact Fund	The John Glazer Impact Fund honors and continues John Glazer’s enduring legacy of working tirelessly and joyfully to support local social enterprises. This fund supports projects/programs that advance sustainable, impact-driven enterprises.
Racial Equity Fund	The Racial Equity Fund of the Athens County Foundation is a vehicle for supporting anti–racism and racial equity in Athens County. The Racial Equity Fund supports anti–racist educational projects and community programs, as well as builds capacity and opportunities for People of the Global Majority in Athens County. Proposals up to $10,000 will be accepted as part of the Fall Cycle.
Senior’s Fund	Aims to support organizations and programs in Athens County that work to improve the lives of seniors.
Women’s Fund	To promote philanthropy among women and to establish a permanent fund. This will provide funding to programs and projects in Athens County which empower women to achieve their full potential.

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