Athens County Foundation

09/02/2026

Your gift to the Advance Athens County Fund fuels a system of impact that supports Athens County's nonprofit community! The easiest way to support what you love! Scan the QR code or visit our website at athensfoundation.org and click the donate button.

09/01/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Finance and Administration, Stacy Strauss. Stacy looks forward to using her skills to strengthen our community!

Read more on our website: athensfoundation.org/stacy-strauss

09/01/2026

“The Infrastructure of Trust: How Local Civic Hubs Are Rebuilding Democracy Across Rural America”

Read about the Trust for Civic Life and how, together, we are a stronger community!

This work was made possible through the support of the Trust for Civic Life, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

08/31/2026

“It’s such a special program and I’m really happy that we signed up and we’ve gotten to have that resource,” Ivy’s mom, Holly Ittel, told the Independent. “In Ivy’s early life I think it has impacted her love for reading and stories and music, too.”

Check out this Changemakers story from April that talks about the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

More than 2,100 kids in Athens County have completed the program since 2020.

08/31/2026

We invite community partners to submit events and stories that highlight collaboration, connection, and belonging across Athens County. If your work brings people together or shows what becomes possible when we pull up a chair, we’d love to hear from you!

Scan the QR code for submission guidelines!

08/28/2026

The Fall Grant Cycle is Open!

Please visit our website at athensfoundation.org/grants to review our resources for applicants! You can also schedule time with our staff prior to submitting your application at calendly.com/acf-grants

08/28/2026

Changemakers is a column that highlights the work of local nonprofit organizations serving Athens County. August's feature: The Birth Circle

athensindependent.com/changemakers-260820-birth-circle/

08/27/2026

Inspired by her father, who could not read or write, Dolly created her book gifting program, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, so children could develop their own love of reading. Dolly's program has mailed over 330 million books to children, and nearly 28 million have been sent to children in Ohio. Her legacy will continue to live on through this program and these books.

There are more children to reach. More books to send. More families to bring into this wonderful community "the Book Lady" created. The greatest tribute you can give Dolly is to keep it going — together.

In lieu of flowers, Dolly's family asks for donations to be made to her Imagination Library program, so children can continue to experience the excitement of receiving a book in the mail each month.

Donations can be made to Athens County’s Imagination Library at athensfoundation.org/donate-to-a-fund by selecting Imagination Library

ACF partners with the Athens County Public Libraries to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Athens County. Your dollars stay local, supporting Athens County youth!

08/26/2026

Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 to serve the children of her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts over 3 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world. There is never a charge to families who participate in the program and it is open to all children under the age of five in geographic areas with operating programs.

We're so grateful to Dolly and the Imagination Library, and we thank her for caring for her community; it's all of us. Her memory will inspire us.

08/25/2026

Your gift to the Advance Athens County Fund fuels a system of impact, supporting the nonprofit community of Athens County! The easiest way to give and support what you love!

athensfoundation.org/donate-to-a-fund