June 2021 UPDATE
Due to the decreased number of requests, our Review Committee will be switching the frequency of reviews from bi-weekly to monthly. The committee will be open to holding emergency meetings for urgent requests.
April 6, 2021 UPDATE
The COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed urgency to address long-standing challenges in Athens County, including racial equity. In response, the Athens County Foundation (ACF) Board of Directors recently approved expanding Response Fund grants in support of projects that advance and promote racial equity in Athens County.
Initially launched to meet acute needs caused by the pandemic, ACF found that a flexible funding source such as the Response Fund can be deployed to meet other needs as well. “The Response Fund model encouraged us to think differently about how we support organizations,” shared Kerry Pigman, Executive Director. “While the annual grant cycle model is effective to fund a broad range of organizations and projects, adding a responsive approach allows us to support emergent and specific needs as well.”
Proposals to advance and support racial equity should either address specific project needs or focus on building long-term capacity for organizations or ongoing initiatives. Applicants are encouraged to contact ACF staff about their project prior to applying. Read More…
September 14, 2020 UPDATE
These challenging times call for community connection and creative solutions. The Athens County Foundation (ACF) and partner organizations are responding by adapting grantmaking processes to best support nonprofits throughout Athens County. In partnership with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville, Rocky Community Improvement Fund, and Sisters Health Foundation, ACF is extending the Response Fund that began this spring. With increased demands on nonprofits due to the pandemic, these funding partners recognized that pooling funds and aligning the application process through ACF could further support nonprofits seeking funding. Read More…
April 1, 2020
On March 9, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency. As this emergency unfolds, it is hard to predict exactly where and when philanthropic interventions will be most effective. Yet we have been responding to community need for 40 years and will continue to be on the frontlines helping local nonprofits through this crisis.
We are talking with community leaders, foundations, and nonprofits and will continue to engage and convene stakeholders to assist in efforts to help those affected by this emergency. We stand ready to deploy our financial resources where they are most needed. As always we are a generous community that looks after our vulnerable neighbors and the nonprofits that support them.
If you are a nonprofit organization responding to the effects of the current crisis in Athens County and you’re seeking financial assistance, you may now apply to receive grants from our emergency response fund. We are prioritizing organizations delivering health and safety programs in Athens County. You may also qualify if your organization’s ability to operate has been hampered by the pandemic.
Our Response Fund is made possible by the generous support of our partners: Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville, Sisters Health Foundation, Rocky Community Improvement Fund, ACF’s Donor Advised Funds, and the many donors who have helped grow this fund. Your continued support enables us to respond to the needs of our community during the pandemic in a timely manner. From all of us, thank you for all your support!
| You can help support local nonprofits by clicking the donate button below. | If you are a nonprofit interested in this fund, click the apply button below to access our grant application form. |
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| To donate for Racial Equity, select “Racial Equity” under Designation on the Online Donation Form. To donate for COVID19 response, select “Emergency Response.” |