Foundations partner to award $70,000 in grants to Appalachian Ohio communities
(November 20, 2006) Nelsonville, Ohio – The Ohio Children’s Foundation, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio have collaborated once again to offer a new round of community grant resources through the 2006-2007 Appalachian Ohio Mini-Grants program. The three Foundations will fund up to $70,000 for projects and programs to improve educational opportunities in Appalachian Ohio.
Mini-grants will range from $1,000 to $5,000. Applicants may include (but are not limited to): Nonprofits and voluntary organizations (community action agencies, parent/teacher organizations, nonprofit childcare centers, child development centers); government agencies (community health centers, departments of job and family services, health departments, etc.); schools (pre-K through 12), education service centers and school districts.
Organizations that serve one or more of the 29 counties in Appalachian Ohio are invited to apply. These counties are: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington.
“Helping young children get a good start in school provides the greatest, positive impact on families and communities. We’re glad to partner with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville to increase access to quality education for Appalachians of all ages,” said Barbara Miller, president of the Ohio Children’s Foundation.
The Ohio Children’s Foundation is a grant-making public charity which has provided financial support and technical assistance throughout Ohio to enhance the lives of children. OCF’s current areas of interest include school-readiness for entering Kindergartners, early childhood education and the elimination of hunger and violence in children’s lives.
“The Foundation is pleased to provide support, in collaboration with Ohio Children’s Foundation and Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, for programs that will enhance educational opportunities for so many in the region,” said Terri Donlin Huesman, director of programs for the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville.
The OHFN is a private foundation with a mission to improve the health and quality of life in southeastern Ohio through education, research and service consistent with osteopathic medicine and osteopathic principles. OHFN advances its mission through targeted funding priorities, including Healthy & Fit, access to oral health care and homelessness, and collaboration.
“Access to quality educational opportunities, beginning in early childhood, continuing through post-secondary education and then life-long, is essential to the health and well-being of families and the future prosperity of Appalachian Ohio,” said Jennifer Simon, FAO Grants Committee Chair.
“A key objective of the mini-grant program is to foster and support communities and community leadership by improving access to educational opportunities for Appalachian Ohio,” said Ann Day, FAO program director.
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is the managing partner for the initiative and is a 501(c)(3) public charity and regional community foundation. FAO’s mission is to enrich the current and future quality of life in the 29 counties of Appalachian Ohio by fostering access to opportunity.
Grant proposals must be postmarked by Monday, January 8, 2007. For questions regarding the application process, you may contact Ann Day, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, at (740) 453-9969 or aday@ffao.org.