Community Foundation for Perry County
Matching funds available! The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is providing a 50-cent match for every $1 given to any endowment within the Community Foundation for Perry County’s family of funds. Matching funds can also be used to help start a new endowed fund and for new documented planned gifts. A total of $300,000 in match funding is available on a first-come, first served basis through Nov. 8.
For more information on the 2024 match opportunity, click here.
For information on ways to give to Perry County, click here.
The Community Foundation for Perry County is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the Perry community, both now and for generations to come. Established in 2012 by past and present residents, the goal of CFPC is to establish permanent funds and resources to make a direct and lasting difference for Perry County. CFPC is an additional avenue of support for residents to give locally, ensuring Perry County resources benefit our community and citizens.
2023 Annual Report
To view the Community Foundation for Perry County’s 2023 annual report, click here.
Grant Opportunities
The Community Foundation for Perry County, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, accepts grant applications annually from nonprofits, schools and public organizations for projects and programs benefiting Perry County residents and communities. 2024 grant applications closed on Sept. 10.
During each year’s funding cycle, grants are awarded to projects and programs that advance opportunities across five areas, known as our Pillars of Prosperity: 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 efforts that create opportunities, meet pressing needs and unleash the potential within Perry County.
Youth-led grant opportunity
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and its 15 foundation affiliate partners are accepting grant applications Aug. 20 through Oct. 1 for projects developed and implemented by youth under age 18. Additional information and the grant application are available here.
FAO has transitioned to a new online system, Spectrum Portal, for grant applications. Before applying for grants, all applicants must register and create an account in the new system. Once registered, click on the “Grant Application” tab and then select “Available Grants,” where you can access the specific grant application form.
For questions, please contact FAO at 740.753.1111 or view the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Grant Recipients
The Community Foundation for Perry County has awarded 16 grants, totaling $37,740, to support initiatives benefiting the county’s residents and communities, including two youth-led projects.
Capabilities Charitable Fund to provide mini grants to Perry County residents with disabilities to support or expand their employment or promote independence and integration in the community
Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio to support a home build in New Lexington for a family in need
Hardbarger Impact Ministries to help install a concrete floor at God’s Garage, which serves those in need by providing vehicle maintenance and repairing donated cars
Hoofs Rescue to purchase supplies and materials for animal rescues
Ludowici Community Foundation to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio
Miller High School Art Department to purchase supplies for introductory art class and to reimplement ceramics classes
Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center to purchase supplies and help fund the teacher’s salary for the 24-week Alpha School cross-curriculum art program
Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area to help fund Ohio’s Winding Road Seed Grant Program and provide mini grants that support the development, expansion and marketing of authentic experiences in Perry County
Perry County District Library to provide shelf-stable breakfast and lunch packs to Perry County children who reside in areas not currently eligible for the USDA-funded programs for afterschool nutritional snacks
Perry County Park District to purchase equipment for the development and maintenance of hiking trails
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to help cover overnight stays for Perry County families
Roseville Historical Society to help fund a basement repair
Sycamore Learning Cooperative to help fund a weekly farm/nature program and evening arts programs for Perry County children and teenagers
Tecumseh Theater to supports its Saturday Matinees
The I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund provided CFPC up to $5,000 to support projects developed and implemented by local youth under age 18. The goal of this funding is to empower young leaders and inspire them to embrace greater roles in their communities. CFPC awarded youth-led project grant funding to:
Girls Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council to assist with program costs for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in Perry County
The iBELIEVE Foundation to fund the participation of Perry County youth in the 2024 iBELIEVE Youth Leadership Workshops
- Destination Shawnee to help equip Shawnee Showtime, a monthly event providing children and families access to movies and educational documentaries without the expense of tickets, refreshments and travel.
- Perry County Cultural Arts Center to support its summer art workshops.
- Perry County Health Department to support the creation of a pollinator garden adjacent to the New Lexington Wetlands Project.
- Perry Soil and Water Conservation District to help fund a geophysical survey of the “squircle” area in Glenford Fort Preserve, a 63-acre site that will become an outdoor laboratory and education center.
- Rendville Historic Preservation Society to support an urgent restoration to the front face of the Town Hall as part of the Rendville Heritage Center, scheduled to partially open in 2023.
- Rural Action to help fund a Family Fishing Day event at Lake Tecumseh.
- Somerset Artists’ Cooperative to help fund next summer’s Kids Creativity Camp.
- Tecumseh Theater to support its Saturday Matinees and the creation of a community work of theatrical art.
- Village of Hemlock to help secure veteran banners, American flags and Ohio flags to be displayed within the village.
• Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio to support the 2022 Perry County Habitat Build with the next home slated for Junction City
• American Red Cross – East Central Ohio for the Home Fire Campaign in Perry County toward fire safety training and assistance
• Ludowici Community Foundation for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to support the expansion of this program
• Perry County Job & Family Services for the Perry JFS Diaper Bank providing diapers and wipes to parents in need
• Rural Action, Inc. for Family Fishing Day at Lake Tecumseh
• Tecumseh Theater for the Winter Arts Camp for children, creating a community work of theatrical art, culminating in a group performance
• New Lexington Schools for the Little Free Library to be established at the entrance of the New Lexington Elementary fitness trail
• Perry County Cultural Arts Center for the Hansel and Gretel Musical Production Workshop, a two-week theatrical workshop for students, culminating in the production of “Hansel and Gretel”
Perry Family of Funds
45 funds partnering with CFPC in service to our community:
- Community Foundation for Perry County
- Arc of Appalachia Hocking Hills Forever Fund
- Ben and Alyce Shaver Scholarship Fund*
- Blake Underwood Student Learning Grant Fund*
- Bob and Ruth Holland Community Fund*
- Bope Family Fund
- Briggs Family Scholarship Fund*
- Bruce and Dolores Hannah Scholarship Fund*
- Catherine Blankenship Scholarship Fund*
- Charlene Joseph Scholarship Fund*
- The Clay Center of Ohio Endowment Fund
- Commander Lambert Scholarship Fund*
- Corning Alumni Association Scholarship Fund*
- Crooksville Arts Council Scholarship Fund
- Donald and Catherine Palmer Scholarship Fund*
- Hazel Post Fisher Community Fund*
- Holy Trinity School Endowment Fund
- Jack and Clara Reho Scholarship Fund*
- Janet Arkley Legacy Scholarship Fund*
- Janet Hursey Koehler Wade Scholarship Fund
- Janice E. Norris Memorial Scholarship*
- Jesse, Olema & Ralph Drake Scholarship Fund*
- Jim and Vicki Palmer Legacy Scholarship*
- Jimmy Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund
- John and Elsie Exenkemper Scholarship Fund*
- Joseph and Marie Lichtenstein Scholarship Fund*
- Ludowici Community Foundation Fund
- Murray and Lulu Brown Scholarship Fund*
- Partners For Your Health
- Paul and Charlotte Hope Scholarship Fund*
- Perry County Connectivity Fund
- Perry County Historical & Cultural Arts Society Fund
- Perry County Hunger Relief Fund
- Perry County Single Parent Support Fund
- Perry County Sportsman Club Endowment
- Robert Woodruff and Charles & Elizabeth Scholarship Fund*
- Shawnee Alumni Association Scholarship Fund*
- Somerset Community Fund
- Somerset Horticultural Endowment
- Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund*
- Supporting Families Fund
- Upper Rush Creek Revitalization Project
- Vincent and Gene Hope Scholarship Fund*
- William and Frances Dunlap Scholarship Fund*
- Williard & Frances Kay Burns Legacy Scholarship*
*This fund is part of Southern Perry County Academic Endowment Fund.
Perry Committee Members
• Jeanette Addington
• Judge Luann Cooperrider
• Jeff Dennis
• Tony Fiore
• Theressa Kane
• Tim McLain
• Chris Mooney
• Julie Paxton
• John Winnenberg
• Kevin Wood
Support the Perry Community
Gifts are tax deductible and can be made in many ways, including cash, bequests, life insurance and charitable remainder trusts. To mail your donation, please designate the Perry Community Foundation Fund and mail to Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, PO Box 456, Nelsonville, OH 45764. To learn more, contact FAO at 740.753.1111.
