Applications being accepted Feb. 6 through March 12
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – Grant funding is available for projects and activities that are improving quality of life and advancing Appalachian Ohio communities.
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) announces the Feb. 6 opening of grant applications for the Dale Hileman Legacy Fund and the Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund to Support Partnership in Appalachian Ohio. Applications for both funding opportunities must be submitted by Tuesday, March 12.
Dale Hileman Legacy Fund
Created with support from the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA), the Dale Hileman Legacy Fund supports causes close to Hileman’s heart – economic development and growth – and organizations within EODA’s service area. The service area covers Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Tuscarawas and Washington counties.
Funding requests should not exceed $1,000. Grant applications and additional information are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Hileman.
A native of Columbiana County, Hileman’s legacy includes a lifetime of service to eastern Ohio. He worked for Columbia Gas of Ohio for 40 years, serving Carrollton, Jackson and Cambridge in Appalachian Ohio, and helped establish EODA to promote economic development and growth in eastern Ohio. In retirement, he remained committed to improving quality of life in the region and to promoting his community of Cambridge in Guernsey County, where he shared his final years with his wife, Evelyn.
In 2023, two grants were awarded through the Dale Hileman Legacy Fund. The Urban Thrift & Opportunity Center of Urban Mission Ministries in Jefferson County received funding to purchase equipment needed to start a new social enterprise that employs people to cut clothing that would have been recycled into remnants to be sold. Homeless Hands of Zanesville in Muskingum County received funding to support a project to help shelter residents obtain employment.
Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund
The Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund to Support Partnership in Appalachian Ohio was created to support the region’s nonprofit and public organizations in projects and activities that improve quality of life, with an emphasis on areas Myers worked so passionately to address: education, regional networking, support for community leaders and fulfillment of basic needs.
Open to organizations in Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties, 2024 grant applications are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Myers. Funding requests should not exceed $1,000.
Myers was a stalwart champion for Appalachian Ohio, serving as executive director of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Alliance and president of EODA. During his years of service, Myers advocated for Appalachian Ohio and generated countless financial investments to support the region’s progress in meeting basic needs, including infrastructure development that advanced quality of life and economic growth – a legacy that continues through the FAO fund that bears his name.
Last year, grants were awarded to:
- The Buckeye Ruritan Club in Jefferson County to support the development of the Free Little Lending Library in the Village of New Alexandria.
- The Lawrence County Commissioners to support the Civic Scholars Fellowship program.
- Urban Mission Ministries in Jefferson County to support the Next Steps for Homeless Shelter Residents program.
- The Village of Chauncey in Athens County to support its new Party in the Park Series.
This year’s grant recipients for both funds will be celebrated at EODA’s Annual Meeting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 26, at the Carlisle Village Inn in Walnut Creek.
For more information about these funds, FAO and how you can support or create opportunities throughout Appalachian Ohio, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org, email info@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.