Nearly $30,000 awarded to support region’s Black-led, Black-serving organizations
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The African American Community Fund (AACF), in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), has awarded 13 grants, totaling $29,500, to support projects and programs spearheaded by Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit and public organizations serving Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties.
“It brings us great joy to invest in the people and organizations doing transformative work across our region,” said Dr. Trevellya Ford-Ahmed, AACF committee member. “When financial gifts combine with gifts of time and talent, we achieve remarkable things for our communities.”
Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits and public organizations were invited to apply for grants to advance opportunities across five areas essential to flourishing communities: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. Emphasis is on supporting individuals of all ages who are spearheading projects and programs that create opportunities, meet pressing needs and unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio’s African American community.
Grants were awarded to:
- ACTION to fund food vouchers for the Mahoning Valley mobile market
- Buckeye Review Journalism Institute to help develop a curriculum and training materials for high school and college students
- Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum to help create two exhibits focused on the cultural history of Africa and the lives and contributions of African Americans in the 1800s
- Inspiring Minds to support its Summer Enrichment Program for students in grades 3-12 in the city of Warren
- Kool Boiz Foundation to support the Young Men’s Empowerment Series Mentoring Program for boys and young men of color in Youngstown
- Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past to support its Racial Justice Education for Mahoning Valley program
- Muskingum County Social Justice Coalition to support its fourth annual Career Connections Camp for middle school-age youth from Muskingum County who identify as African American
- Nelson T. Gant Foundation to support the development of the Nelson T. Gant “Freedom Walkway,” which will include a bronze statue of Gant
- Signal Ohio to assess news and information needs in Adams, Lawrence, Pike and Scioto counties
- Ohio Valley Youth Network to support the Sycamore Volunteer Service Corps Mentoring Program, primarily serving African American children in grades 5-12
- Ugata to support an African drum teacher training class and team-building retreat in collaboration with Rising Appalachia and Solid Ground Farm
- Warriors 2 Wilderness to support therapeutic retreats for African American veterans with PTSD
- WovenCare Advocacy Services to support the Community Health and Empowerment Initiative designed to address the health, social and economic disparities faced by African American residents in Athens County
In addition, AACF awarded a grant earlier this year to the Tablertown People of Color Museum to secure a cost estimate for establishing an African American Heritage Trail from southern to southeastern Ohio.
AACF, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, was established in 2020 to develop and grow permanent charitable resources that provide continuous investment in Appalachian Ohio’s Black community.
To learn more about AACF and how to support its work, email AACF@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.