A total of $250,000 is available to support civic experiments
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), in partnership with the Trust for Civic Life, is launching a new grant opportunity that celebrates and invests in the region’s public libraries as community builders and civic institutions.
Public libraries and library systems across Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties are invited to apply for grants of up to $20,000 to support civic experiments that bring community members together to forge connections, address challenges and deepen their civic engagement. A total of $250,000 is available to award.
“As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we are reminded of the roles we all play in building communities where everyone can flourish,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “Our libraries serve a vital role as civic institutions and are uniquely positioned to create opportunities for people to gather, listen to one another, solve problems and participate in the life of their communities. We thank the Trust for Civic Life for partnering with us and libraries across our region to strengthen the civic health of Appalachian Ohio.”
Applications must be submitted online by Thursday, Oct. 22. Additional information and the application are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/libraries.
A webinar for interested libraries to learn more about this opportunity will be held on Zoom at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Libraries are invited to register for the webinar at https://tinyurl.com/libraries-webinar.
This opportunity is made possible through the partnership of the Trust for Civic Life, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and builds on the growing collaboration between FAO and the Trust for Civic Life. In 2025, the Trust for Civic Life selected FAO as one of 26 organizations nationwide to receive a grant from its Civic Hub initiative, a program that advances civic participation and collaboration in local communities.
A 501(c)(3) public charity, FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 14 geographic affiliate foundations, the regionwide African American Community Fund and donors and partners across the region and beyond, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. FAO’s geographic affiliate partners serve the Nelsonville area and Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Vinton counties.