Adams County Community Foundation

05/07/2026

We are incredibly honored and humbled to share that the Adams County Community Foundation was named Nonprofit of the Year at the Edge of Excellence Awards presented by the Adams County OH Chamber of Commerce 🏆

This recognition belongs to our entire community. When we launched in 2019 during a period of economic transition for our county, we had a vision to turn private generosity into a lasting local legacy. Today, that vision is a reality.

The impact we have made together:
Over 50 grants awarded to support vital organizations like the Humane Society, Shop with a Cop, Leadership Adams, and our local food banks.

Nearly 200 scholarships helping local students pursue their dreams in college and trade schools through endowed funds.

Essential support ranging from funding school AEDs to supporting Meals on Wheels for our homebound seniors.

Whether it’s through our Double Your Donation initiatives or the tireless work of our local volunteers, our goal remains the same. We want to ensure every contribution grows into a lasting impact for Adams County.

Thank you to the Chamber, our amazing donors, and the neighbors who inspire us every day. We are proud to be your Foundation!

04/29/2026

The Adams County Community Foundation extends our heartfelt thanks to our incredible community for your continued support as we celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients.

Because of your generosity, students across Adams County are pursuing their dreams through higher education and trade opportunities—strengthening the future of our community for years to come. Scholarships like these are made possible through the commitment of donors who believe in the power of education and investing in our youth.

We are proud to recognize this year’s outstanding students and grateful to everyone who helps make these opportunities possible.

👉 Learn more and view this year’s scholarship recipients here:
https://accfo.org/adams-county-community-foundation-celebrates-scholarship-recipients-at-annual-banquet/

04/24/2026

A generous new gift is making a real difference for children in Adams County.

The C.E. Smith Family Charitable Fund has awarded a significant grant through the Adams County Community Foundation to support local programs that strengthen opportunities, care, and services for children in our community.

This meaningful investment reflects the Smith family’s ongoing commitment to improving quality of life in Adams County—helping ensure that local kids have the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Read more about how this grant will impact our community: https://accfo.org/c-e-smith-family-charitable-fund-awards-significant-grant-to-support-local-children/

04/22/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Pioneer Spirit of West Union
(The People's Defender, Stephen Kelley 1982)

Travel back to April 13, 1803—a time when the State of Ohio was a mere two months old. In those foundational days, the Ohio legislature breathed life into the village of West Union. Before this inland settlement took hold, the county’s heart beat at the village of Washington near the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek—a site known today as the Killen Station construction area.

The new county seat, christened "West Union" by Thomas Kirker, was surveyed in the spring of 1804. By May, the air was filled with the rhythmic calls of auctioneer John Lodwick as the town lots went to the highest bidders. Among those shaping the future was Joseph Darlinton, a Virginian by birth and a veteran of the frontier, who secured four parcels to establish his legacy.

On lot number 57, fronting East Main Street, Darlinton constructed his family home. Interestingly, Darlinton had used his knowledge of the upcoming move to the interior to build a story-and-a-half log house just southeast of the new town limits in 1803. Once the town was officially platted, he dismantled the structure and reassembled it on his new lot, expanding it into a grand two-story home anchored by three imposing stone chimneys.

Joseph Darlinton was the ultimate multi-tasker of early Adams County. By 1804, he held an exhausting array of titles:

Probate Judge and Associate Judge
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
Lieutenant Colonel of the Ohio Militia

To manage this mountain of civic duty, Darlinton erected a modest, one-story log office building on the east side of his residence. This small structure, completed in July 1804, would go on to serve a dual purpose that cemented its place in local history.

When West Union required a Post Office, Darlinton was the natural choice for its first postmaster. Taking the mantle on July 1, 1804, he served for seven years. In that era, officials were expected to provide their own quarters; consequently, Darlinton's private log office became the village’s first mail center.

A Living Legacy: Remarkably, that humble log building—pictured here—remains standing today near the corner of Main and East Streets. Now owned by Mrs. J.R. Liston, it stands as a silent, sturdy witness to the hardy pioneers who carved a civilization out of the southern Ohio wilderness nearly two centuries ago.

04/20/2026

Remembering a local legend: Wiley Harold "Iron Man" Piatt.

Born in 1874, Piatt became a standout figure in Adams County history, earning his nickname through his remarkable endurance and contributions to the community. We are honored to share a look back at his life and the legacy he left behind in our region.

Read the full story on our website:
https://accfo.org/remembering-wiley-harold-iron-man-piatt-1874-1946/

04/12/2026

Don't miss a beautiful evening of music as Voices of Appalachia performs at the First Presbyterian Church in West Union!

The Adams County Community Foundation is a proud sponsor of this event, celebrating the rich sounds and stories of our region. Come out and support the arts in our community!

• When: Tonight, April 12
• Time: 6:00 PM
• Where: First Presbyterian Church, West Union

Grab a friend and head over for a moving performance. See you there!

04/09/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Vision and Endurance of Dunkinsville
(The People's Defender, Stephen Kelley 1986)

Step back with us to 1842, when the quiet landscape of Adams County saw the birth of a new financial venture. John Dunkin, a local businessman with an eye for growth, platted the village of Dunkinsville with the hope of building a bustling commercial hub that would fuel his nearby saw and gristmill.

While Dunkin’s dreams of a sprawling town never quite materialized, the small settlement became a tight-knit community of homes and essential trades. The village heart consisted of a cooper shop, a general store, a doctor’s office, and a blacksmith shop. Though its post office flickered in and out of service over the decades, finally closing in 1909, one landmark stood firm: the Dunkinsville United Methodist Church.

The church, pictured here as it appeared in 1899, traces its roots even further back than the town itself to the early 19th-century Lick Fork congregation. In February 1853, the members voted to move within John Dunkin's town limits, erecting a new edifice under the supervision of John Ellison.

The Building of a Landmark:

A High Stakes Celebration: Upon the completion of the original structure in 1854, one of the carpenters famously celebrated by standing on his head on the crest of the roof.

Tradition of the Times: Like many Methodist Episcopal churches of the era, the floor plan was strictly divided. Two front entrances were used—one for men on the left and one for women on the right.

The 1899 Transformation: As customs changed, the church underwent an extensive renovation. The two doors were replaced by a single centered entrance, and a foyer and bell tower were added.

The Thousand-Pound Bell: The massive bell that calls to the valley today was shipped by train to the Seaman Depot before being hauled by wagon to the village by Carl Frush and Joe Dunkin.

Today, we look at this photo and see more than just a rectangular frame and a bell tower; we see the spiritual anchor of a community and the enduring craftsmanship of those who built Adams County from the ground up.

03/25/2026

We are incredibly honored to share that the Adams County Community Foundation has been nominated for the Adams County Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year award. This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of our donors, volunteers, and partners who work tirelessly to support our mission of improving the quality of life for everyone in our community.

Being nominated alongside so many impactful organizations is a privilege, and it reinforces our commitment to fostering growth and opportunity across Adams County. We are deeply grateful to the Chamber and our community for this nomination and for the ongoing support that allows us to invest in the place we all call home. Congratulations to all the fellow nominees who do so much to make our region thrive.

The Adams County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the finalists for the Nonprofit of the Year category for the upcoming Edge of Excellence Awards!

This prestigious honor, presented by Leadership Adams, recognizes a 501(c)(3) organization within the Chamber's membership that has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and impact. This award celebrates an organization that goes above and beyond its mission to improve the quality of life for our residents, showing that a thriving community is built on the foundation of service.

Please join us in celebrating these outstanding organizations:

Adams County Community Foundation
FRS Transportation
GRIT - Growing Rural Independence Together
Adams Brown Community Action Partnership

Each of these nominees represents the very best of Adams County, working tirelessly to ensure our community continues to grow and flourish.

📅 Mark Your Calendars!
Winners will be revealed at the Edge of Excellence Awards ceremony on April 30th. Purchase your tickets here: https://www.chamberdata.net/webforms/EvtListing.aspx?dbid2=ohadam&evtid=5012864&class=B

03/23/2026

FROM THE ARCHIVES: The Day Bentonville Held Its Breath
(The People's Defender, 1967)

Step back with us to a Saturday afternoon in 1967. The hum of a quiet weekend in Bentonville was suddenly shattered by the screech of tires and the roar of an immediate inferno at the intersection of Route 41 and Brier Ridge Road.

What started as a two-car collision between a '62 Chevy and a '63 Oldsmobile quickly turned into a fight to save the village. When one car careened into the gasoline pumps at Young’s Grocery, the storefront ignited instantly, sending a column of black smoke into the Adams County sky that could be seen for miles.

The scene, captured here looking north on State Route 41, shows the sheer intensity of the moment. Mr. Alfred Young was forced to watch as the fire swallowed his livelihood and residence. He managed to escape with his life—though suffering burns to his arm—saving only his cash register and charge accounts before the heat became too much.

With the village’s very heart at risk, the call went out for reinforcements:

Manchester Fire Department arrived first, followed quickly by West Union.

The Water Relay: Because there was no central water system, 20 firemen fought the blaze for over three hours by drafting water from nearby cisterns and running a constant "tanker shuttle" from town.

The Save: Despite losing the grocery and the car that struck the pumps, the heroic work of these volunteers kept the fire from leaping to the surrounding homes and businesses.

Today, we look at this photo and see more than just smoke and a vintage Texaco sign; we see the grit of our local first responders and the resilience of a community that refused to let a disaster define them.

Learn more here: https://www.peoplesdefender.com/2024/11/02/35210/

03/19/2026

🎓 67 Scholarships Awarded! 🎓
We are proud to announce that the Adams County Community Foundation has awarded 67 scholarships to our incredible local students!

These life-changing opportunities are made possible through the vision and generosity of donors who established the:

CE Smith Family Scholarship Fund

Charles Hugh McGovney Scholarship Fund

Earl and Helen Johnson Scholarship Fund

First State Bank Dan Ferguson Scholarship Fund

Adams County Scholarship Fund

Congratulations to all our recipients! We are honored to invest in the future of Adams County, one student at a time. 👏✨

🔗 Visit the link to read more: https://accfo.org/67-scholarships-awarded-by-the-adams-county-community-foundation/

03/17/2026

Adams County has always been home to individuals who step up when history calls. Today, we invite you to remember William Alexander Howell—a member of the famed 101st Airborne "Band of Brothers."

We are proud to preserve and share the stories of those who shaped our world and our county. Read the full tribute to Mr. Howell on our website:

Read more here: https://accfo.org/remembering-william-alexander-howell/