our impact

creating ripples of impact in Athens County

When you’re trying to solve big regional problems, you can’t just have one agency go out and write a grant. You have to have all these partners come in and [the Athens County Foundation] makes the project even bigger and better and more impactful… They’re helping us in ways that far exceed any community grant we could have secured through them.

Pete Kotses, Athens City Countil member and Baileys Trails Project planner

Leadership Athens County brought me to Habitat for Humanity and the work I continue to do on a daily basis here at Habitat. If it weren’t for Leadership Athens County, I probably would not have looked at Habitat as an option for employment, or any nonprofit in Athens County.

Kenneth Oehlers, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio

The Athens County Foundation was willing to step in a do contract administration for trail construction even though that’s something they’ve never done. They were willing to step forward and help us because they knew it was a good project and needed to get done. Same with the whole branding discussion. They were willing to help us where we needed, with no ego.

Dr. Dawn McCarthy, Wayne National Forest Public Affairs Officer 

When you’re trying to solve big regional problems, you can’t just have one agency go out and write a grant. You have to have all these partners come in and [the Athens County Foundation] makes the project even bigger and better and more impactful… They’re helping us in ways that far exceed any community grant we could have secured through them.

Pete Kotses, Athens City Countil member and Baileys Trails Project planner

by the numbers

The Athens County Foundation (ACF) helps our community grow stronger—together. We don’t just give out grants. We bring people together, support local leaders, and connect organizations with the tools and resources they need to make lasting change.

$12 Million

in asset size

$811,000

total grants awarded in 2024

over 550

individuals and organizations actively engaged in ACF's work in 2024

over 400

Leadership Athens County Flagship and Youth graduates

Ripple Effect Map Report (2020)

The Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) Report shows how the Athens County Foundation is making a big impact in the community. In 2019, Ohio University worked with the Foundation to gather stories and feedback from local leaders, nonprofits, and other partners. These stories were used to map out the Foundation’s influence across Athens County.


The report highlights several key areas where the Foundation is helping:

  • Making connections, mentoring linking resources;
  • Supporting economic development;
  • Developing leaders;
  • Strengthening the nonprofit sector;
  • Strengthening the philanthropic sector; and
  • Increasing the community's capacity to tackle tough issues.


Programs like Leadership Athens County, Directors’ Lunches, and task forces have helped people work together, learn from each other, and take action. Overall, the REM Report shows how the Foundation brings people together, shares resources, and helps create lasting change in the community.


The REM report shows that every contribution to ACF—whether it's money, time, or talent—sets off a ripple effect that leads to meaningful, long-term change for the community and future generations.

Read Our 2020 Impact Report