Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

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Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

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Creating opportunities for Appalachian Ohio Give. Grow. Create. We’re here to help donors give back in ways that are meaningful – to them and to our region.

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio envisions a future where all citizens of Appalachian Ohio live in a region abundant with possibilities. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit community foundation, the Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities for our citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. Since 1998, the Foundation has been working with donors who are passionate about Appalachian Ohio, its communities, and its future. To learn more about how the Foundation can help you make a difference in Appalachian Ohio, visit www.appalachianohio.org.

10/17/2026

A big FAO shout-out to Jo Ellen Diehl Yeary, who is being inducted into the Marietta College Hall of Honor today!

This prestigious recognition celebrates the most outstanding accomplishments of the college’s graduates and is the highest honor bestowed by the Marietta College Alumni Association Council.

We join the Marietta College community in celebrating Jo Ellen and her remarkable legacy of service and leadership. From her native Meigs County to communities across Appalachian Ohio, Jo Ellen has devoted her time, talent, treasure and heart to strengthening the region where her story began, including through her service as an FAO Board member.

Congratulations, Jo Ellen! And thank you for being a proud child and champion of Appalachian Ohio. We’re grateful for all you do and the many ways you continue to make a difference.

Meigs County Foundation

10/12/2026

Please join us in celebrating the 2026 Jenco Award recipients: Sarah Adkins, Lisa Carroll, Judge Luann Cooperrider, Stephanie Laube, Sandra Landis, Skip Ricketts and John Winnenberg!

Through acts of compassion, advocacy, generosity and perseverance, these remarkable Appalachian Ohioans have:

• Expanded access to life-saving medication, housing, legal services and essential needs
• Created pathways to stability and opportunity
• Preserved the history and heritage that make our communities and this region so incredibly special
• And forged legacies that will continue to inspire others to care, to serve and to lead.

This year’s awards carry special significance, marking 15 years of partnership between the Jenco Foundation and FAO – and more than 100 individuals honored for their service since this regional awards program began.

Read about this year’s honorees: https://appalachianohio.org/2026/10/seven-appalachian-ohioans-celebrated-as-2026-jenco-award-recipients/.

And be on the lookout for the individuals in your community who go above and beyond in service to others and the places they call home. Nominations for next year’s Jenco Awards open in the spring.

Community Foundation for Perry County
Gallia County Foundation
Guernsey County Foundation
Harrison County Community Foundation
Hocking County Community Fund
Jackson County Community Foundation
Meigs County Foundation
Monroe County Community Foundation
Morgan Community Fund
Noble County Community Foundation
Vinton County Community Fund
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
God's Hands At Work
Perry Housing Coalition
Samaritan Center of Guernsey County
Tecumseh Theater • Tecumseh Commons

09/29/2026

Attention, K-12 public school educators in Belmont, Guernsey and Monroe counties!

During its last grant round, the Expand Energy STEM Education Fund at FAO awarded more than $11,000 to support student learning. This year, your classroom could be next!

Submit your grant application online by Nov. 10 and unleash new possibilities for your students: www.AppalachianOhio.org/Expand.

Guernsey County Foundation
Monroe County Community Foundation

09/10/2026

Calling all Appalachian Ohio public libraries!

FAO, in partnership with the Trust for Civic Life, has launched a new funding opportunity to celebrate and invest in our region’s libraries as community builders and civic institutions.

Public libraries and library systems across our 32-county region are invited to apply for grants of up to $20,000 to support programs that bring community members together to forge connections, address challenges and deepen their civic engagement. A total of $250,000 is available to award!

Applications are due by Thursday, Oct. 22. Learn more and apply at www.AppalachianOhio.org/libraries.

Join us for a Zoom webinar at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 30, to learn more. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/libraries-webinar.

Community Foundation for Perry County
Gallia County Foundation
Guernsey County Foundation
Harrison County Community Foundation
Hocking County Community Fund
Jackson County Community Foundation
Meigs County Foundation
Monroe County Community Foundation
Morgan Community Fund
Noble County Community Foundation
Vinton County Community Fund

09/08/2026

As students across Appalachian Ohio settle back into school routines, many are doing so with financial support from donors who believe in their potential.

This year, FAO, our affiliate foundations and funding partners have awarded a record-breaking $870,000+ in postsecondary scholarships, investing in the education and career goals of more than 330 students across our region.

Read more at: https://appalachianohio.org/2026/09/foundation-for-appalachian-ohio-announces-2026-scholarship-recipients/.

Behind every scholarship recipient is a young person with a dream and a future they are working to build – and a donor who is not only opening doors but serving as a source of encouragement and motivation on their educational journey. To everyone who has created or supported the more than 320 scholarship funds FAO stewards each year: Thank you!

Community Foundation for Perry County
Gallia County Foundation
Guernsey County Foundation
Harrison County Community Foundation
Hocking County Community Fund
Jackson County Community Foundation
Meigs County Foundation
Monroe County Community Foundation
Noble County Community Foundation
Vinton County Community Fund

09/04/2026

Our deepest gratitude to Boardwalk Pipelines for stepping up to help Perry County in a time of need and demonstrating compassion for those affected following last month’s devastating flash flooding.

They are among the many businesses, organizations and individuals who have graciously given to the Perry County Disaster Relief Fund, created by the Community Foundation for Perry County. Because of this collective kindness and generosity, organizations working tirelessly on the front lines of the flood response will soon have additional resources to help Perry County residents rebuild, recover and move forward.

Thank you, Boardwalk Pipelines and everyone who is showing up for Perry County!

Learn about and support the Perry County Disaster Relief Fund at: www.tinyurl.com/FAO-PCDRF.

09/03/2026

Communities across Appalachian Ohio have 101 new reasons to smile.

Read about the 101 grants, totaling nearly $300,000, that our affiliate foundation partners serving Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Meigs, Morgan and Perry counties recently awarded: https://appalachianohio.org/2026/08/seven-fao-affiliate-foundation-partners-announce-2026-grant-recipients/.

From supporting food pantries and housing initiatives to funding educational programs and community events, these investments are strengthening our communities and helping ensure that the people of Appalachian Ohio have the resources and opportunities they need to flourish.

We’re grateful for the donors to our affiliate foundation partners' endowment funds who make these grants possible. These grants are a powerful reminder of what generosity can do when it's given the chance to grow.

Applications for 2026 grants available through our affiliate foundation partners serving Guernsey, Harrison, Lawrence, Monroe, Noble and Vinton counties, as well as the Nelsonville area, close Sept. 8. Learn more and apply at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Grant-Opportunities.

Community Foundation for Perry County
Gallia County Foundation
Guernsey County Foundation
Harrison County Community Foundation
Hocking County Community Fund
Jackson County Community Foundation
Meigs County Foundation
Monroe County Community Foundation
Morgan Community Fund
Noble County Community Foundation
Vinton County Community Fund

08/28/2026

The Perry County Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications from 501(c)(3) public charities and other organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, including schools, faith-based organizations and other public entities providing immediate relief and essential services to individuals impacted by the August flash flooding.

Applications will be reviewed weekly. Learn more, apply for funding or support the fund at www.tinyurl.com/FAO-PCDRF.

The Community Foundation for Perry County established the fund to provide critical support for Perry County’s immediate recovery while creating a lasting resource to help the community respond to future disasters. Our heartfelt thanks to all who have donated, volunteered and stood in support of the people and communities of Perry County. Your generosity is making a difference.

08/26/2026

We join admirers near and far in remembering the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, a proud child of Appalachia who never forgot her roots and whose extraordinary kindness and generosity has touched countless lives, including those here in our beloved Appalachian Ohio.

Literacy and education are the foundations upon which strong futures are built. That’s why we and many of our affiliate foundation partners are proud to support Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio programs across our region. Investing in our children from the very beginning is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen our communities and our future.

Dolly’s one-of-a-kind talent was matched by her heart of gold. Today and always, we are grateful for her example, her generous spirit and the inspiration she gives us to serve, strengthen and celebrate Appalachia.

Community Foundation for Perry County
Gallia County Foundation
Guernsey County Foundation
Harrison County Community Foundation
Hocking County Community Fund
Jackson County Community Foundation
Meigs County Foundation
Monroe County Community Foundation
Morgan Community Fund
Noble County Community Foundation
Vinton County Community Fund

08/24/2026

August is National Make-A-Will Month – a time to reflect on the people, causes, organizations and communities that matter to us most and to consider how we can support them for generations to come.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of an extraordinary planned gift made through FAO – a transformative commitment that will provide permanent support for several nonprofits and causes, including FAO, while inspiring philanthropy across the region.

In 2016, Jeff Chaddock and his husband, Mark Morrow, announced plans to leave 97% of their estate to the charitable causes close to their hearts: https://appalachianohio.org/story/jeff-chaddock-mark-morrow/.

Ten years later, they have grown their planned giving commitment to 99% of their estate, and their bold giving has inspired others to make their own commitments – to their families and loved ones but also to the missions that speak to them.

Planned giving of every amount is an essential pathway to a . We invite you to consider your legacy and the difference you can make for all you love.

Community Foundation for Perry County
Gallia County Foundation
Guernsey County Foundation
Harrison County Community Foundation
Hocking County Community Fund
Jackson County Community Foundation
Meigs County Foundation
Monroe County Community Foundation
Morgan Community Fund
Noble County Community Foundation
Vinton County Community Fund

Address

35 Public Square
Nelsonville, OH
45764

Telephone

+17407531111

Website

http://www.AppalachianOhio.org/

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