Matching funds available! The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is providing a 50-cent match for every $1 given to any endowment within the Meigs County Foundation’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 Meigs County, click here.

---

The Meigs County Foundation was created in 2011 to increase and advance philanthropic activities in Meigs County. The Meigs County Foundation works to attract philanthropic resources in the form of gifts, grants, or bequests to benefit the broader community. It helps everyone give back to Meigs County so the community can invest grants to benefit Meigs County residents.

---

2023 Annual Report

To view the Meigs County Foundation’s 2023 annual report, click here.

---

Grant Opportunities

The Meigs County Foundation, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, accepts grant applications annually from nonprofits, schools and public organizations for projects and programs benefiting Meigs County residents and communities. 2024 grant applications closed on Sept. 10.

During each year’s funding cycle, grants are awarded to projects and programs advancing 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 Meigs 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.

---

2023 Grant Recipients

• Bethel Worship Center to support the “It’s Our Time: Meigs Mobile Food and Supplies Outreach”
  
• Chester Youth Baseball and Softball to improve batting cages for community use
  
• Columbia Township Trustees to purchase storage cabinets and food for the Blessing Box
  
• Eastern Local School District received two grants through support from the Buckley Family: (1) to purchase tools, materials and plants the Eastern FFA needs to create a greenhouse and community garden and (2) to purchase tools and supplies needed for the Science Olympiad team to advance in competition
  
• God’s Hands At Work to purchase food for the Meigs County mobile food pantry
  
• Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio to support a home build for a Meigs County family in need
  
• Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio to purchase food for food pantry distributions in Meigs County
  
• Meigs County Council on Aging to fund upgrades and additions to the Blakeslee Center’s conference/training equipment
  
• Meigs County Farmers’ Market to support food vouchers for veterans and food-related classes
  
• Meigs County Schools Food Pantry to purchase food
  
• Mid-Valley Christian School to purchase instruments for the online music program
  
• River of Life Food Pantry to purchase food
  
• Southern Local School District to purchase materials and equipment for the Introduction to Art Program
  
• Tuppers Plains Youth Baseball to improve batting cages for community use
  
• Village of Rutland to replace the doors of the Rutland Civic Center’s gymnasium
  
• The iBELIEVE Foundation to fund the participation of Meigs County youth in the 2024 iBELIEVE Youth Leadership Workshops.

---

Recent Projects

Before the Meigs County Foundation, many charitable gifts were leaving the community. When residents wanted to make a gift that would benefit the whole community for the long-term, they were looking for partners outside of the county who might have been able to help them. Now, with a fund focused on benefiting Meigs County by investing in its nonprofits, schools, and students, they can give back to Meigs County.

And they in the midst of a bold campaign that will not only make history, but celebrate it too. Endow 200 celebrates Meigs County’s 200^th birthday by bringing together 200 gifts of $3,000 each. With gifts stretching over five years that means anyone can be a part of the effort for just $50 a month. These dollars will go into a permanent endowment that will allow the Meigs County Foundation to make grants each year while also growing the dollars available for the community.

“Throughout Meigs County, novel ideas and elbow grease are working to expand opportunities for our neighbors,” said Jennifer Sheets, a committee member of the Meigs County Foundation. “By launching Endow 200, the Meigs County Foundation will be able to invest homegrown dollars into ideas that will have an impact on our local communities.”

Whether you call Meigs County home today or are looking to give back to a place where you grew up, everyone now has the chance to make a difference in Meigs for generations.

---

Meigs Family of Funds

14 funds partnering with the Meigs County Foundation in service to our community:

• Meigs County Foundation
• Bachtel Scholarship Fund
• BraylynStrong Childhood Cancer Awareness Scholarship Fund
• Camp Kiashuta Endowment
• Charles A. and Joan Corder Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Chester-Shade Historical Association Fund
• Eastern Local Alumni & Friends Endowment
• Karr-Aanestad K9 Foundation Fund
• Leifheit-Michael Family Scholarship Fund
• Meigs County Schools Food Pantry Fund
• Meigs Performing Arts Fund
• New Haven School Fund
• Reed Family Fund
• The William M. and Janet P. Betcher Memorial Endowment for Library Services

---

Meigs Committee Members

The Meigs County Foundation is led by a volunteer committee with strong ties to the Meigs County community. Meigs County Foundation committee members include:

---

Support the Meigs Community

Gifts to the Meigs County Foundation are tax deductible and can be made in many ways, including cash, bequests, and life insurance. Donations can be made online by designating the Meigs County Foundation when donating. To mail your donation, please designate the Meigs County Foundation and mail to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, PO Box 456, Nelsonville, OH 45764.