Grants Available to Strengthen Civics Education in Appalachian Ohio
Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and Longaberger Family Foundation Offer Grants through October 29
Nelsonville, OH – Educating and equipping citizens is essential for building and sustaining strong communities within a strong democracy. That’s why the Longaberger Family Foundation and the I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund® at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio are pleased to once again offer grants to K-12 public educators and nonprofit service providers working in partnership with K-12 education. Grant awards will support and encourage students to acquire a broad, deep knowledge base in subject’s integral to robust citizenship; forge positive relationships with the self and the wider-world; and analyze different views and take action.
This grant opportunity is available starting September 17 at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Civics, and applications will be accepted from K-12 educators and service providers in the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio until Friday, October 29.
An effective civics education program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and disposition necessary to become informed and engaged citizens. This grant program seeks to support those efforts by providing educators and service providers with resources to actively implement civics education opportunities for K-12 public school students.
Last year, eight grants were awarded. The 2020 Civics Education Grant recipients were:
Adams County Ohio Valley School received a grant to support the Touch Technology and Voting Familiarity project. Through the purchase of iPad tablets, this project aims to familiarize students with the same touch technology used when voting.
Cambridge City Schools received a grant to support the Ohio Model United Nations Chromebook Cart project. The Ohio Model United Nations is a program offered to high school students, allowing them to act as United Nations delegates by researching, writing, and debating global issues. This grant was used to purchase a Chromebook cart to give students in this program the opportunity to learn about the world and prepare for the state conference in Columbus.
Dawson Bryant Local School District received a grant to support the Lawrence County Scholars Fellowship project. This project encourages high school juniors and seniors to intern for the county’s elected officials. The Lawrence County Scholars Fellowship seeks to enhance students’ understanding of local government, equipping them to become informed and engaged citizens. At the conclusion of the internship, students will create a presentation to showcase what they learned with others.
Fort Frye Local School District received a grant to support the school district and the Sink or Swim project. This project aims to identify funding issues with community pools within the area. Students working on this project collaborate with their local government leaders to discuss the current situation and course of action needed to address pool closures. At the end of the project, students understand and recognize local budget issues by engaging deeply as a community member.
Logan-Hocking School District received a grant to support the Student Leadership and Community Partnership project. Through a nomination process, students are selected to participate in this project and lead the school community. Those selected pick a community provider and learn how this organization benefits the community. This grant was used to help students document and track their work.
Switzerland of Ohio Local School District received a grant to support the From the Courthouse to the School House project. This project incorporates a variety of resources, teaching strategies, and technology to enhance the students’ knowledge of civics education. This grant was used to provide and produce literature, lesson plans, and experiential learning for first to fourth grade classrooms.
Warren Local Schools received a grant to support the Tell Your Story project. It is Warren High School’s goal to encourage every eligible student to register and vote. Throughout the year, Warren High School coordinates several voter registration drives. This grant allows Warren High School to expand on current student voting initiatives by adding registration parties with t-shirts and stickers. Students who register to vote will be invited to these registration parties and tell their story of why they decided to become an active voter.
Zanesville City School District received a grant to support the Exploring Ohio’s History through Art Online project. This project aims to digitize the fourth grade Ohio’s History through Art curriculum. Funding also aided in a new 12-part gallery-experience video series that explores key images within the curriculum.
Grant requests must be between $500 and $5,000, and more than $30,000 in funding is available. The 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio include Adams, Ashtabula, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mahoning, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington counties.
This grant opportunity is supported by the I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund®, which was created to address the greatest needs and pursue the most exciting opportunities facing Appalachian Ohio’s communities today, while growing the resources needed to make a difference for generations to come.
To learn more about this opportunity, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Civics. To support opportunities like this one with a gift to the I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund®, contact FAO at 740.753.1111 or visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.
About the Foundation for Appalachian OhioThe Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.
