Watch FAO’s 2024 Giving Tuesday celebration
FAO observed Giving Tuesday with a virtual event celebrating 25 years of love, generosity and commitment to the people and communities of Appalachian Ohio. If you were unable to attend – or if you just want to relive the joy and collective impact of our community of givers – please watch.
Sharing our future vision
We’ve articulated a plan for Appalachian Ohio’s continued philanthropic development that is just as bold and audacious as the one that guided us to today. Read about our Second Mountain vision for advancing a Flourishing Appalachian Ohio.
Join the Friends of FAO
A gift to our annual giving campaign will unleash the collective potential of the people of Appalachian Ohio now while we advance flourishing for the future through our work to build endowment.
Our 2024 award recipients
Chaddock Philanthropists of the Year
The Chaddock Philanthropist of the Year Award celebrates those who have made an outsized difference in Appalachia through philanthropy. Our 2024 Chaddock Philanthropist of the Year Award was presented to two families whose generosity is helping to close Appalachian Ohio’s philanthropy gap and inspiring others to give in ways that will make a difference in our communities for generations to come.
The Baker Family
The Baker family of Monroe County was recognized for a legacy of giving that spans generations – from 92-year-old John Baker and his late wife, Lois, to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family’s service to community dates back nearly seven decades to when John started the family business with one piece of farm rental equipment. As the business grew, so did the Bakers’ commitment to helping others within their community.
When John’s son, Greg, died unexpectedly in 2011 during his service as a volunteer firefighter, the Bakers’ desire to honor family legacies and to support the community they call home grew even stronger.
Over the years, the Baker family has established or championed nine separate endowment funds within the Monroe County Community Foundation’s family of funds, covering everything from economic develop to heart health awareness and much more.
Rhonda and Tom Stemmer
Rhonda and Tom Stemmer were recognized for their long-time support of nonprofits in Appalachian Ohio, especially in Guernsey County where they live.
Over the years, Rhonda and Tom have taken a blended approach to philanthropy, supporting both endowments for the future and immediate grantmaking.
Through a donor-advised fund housed at FAO and gifts to support other FAO initiatives, the Stemmers have supported everything from services for seniors to shoes for children, education about the Underground Railroad and much more. Much of their current charitable giving centers on organizations that support families as a way of strengthening the community they call home.
Rhonda and Tom are two of Appalachian Ohio’s greatest champions and among the first to step up to support FAO’s work.
