For information on ways to give to Monroe County, click here.

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In 2014 four community members came together to  establish the Monroe County Community Foundation in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO). Nikki Baker-Lude, Ryan Moyer, Karena Reusser, and Gwynn Stewart created the permanent endowment fund at FAO to help Monroe residents give locally, ensuring Monroe County resources benefit its citizens and communities forever.

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Click here to RSVP to MCCF’s event

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2023 Annual Report

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

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Grant Opportunities

The Monroe County Community Foundation, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, accepts grant applications annually from nonprofits, schools and public organizations for projects and programs benefiting Monroe 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 projects that create opportunities, meet pressing needs and unleash the potential within Monroe County.

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2023 Grant Recipients

• Broken Timber Outdoor Education Center to run electricity to its educational pavilion, supported by the Baker Education and Economic Development Fund
  
• Crossed Paws Animal Shelter to build an outdoor seating area, supported by the Baker Education and Economic Development Fund
  
• Monroe Central High School FFA program to support its programming and activities in the community
  
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to help cover overnight stays for Monroe County families
  
• Sardis CARES to help restore the kitchen floor at the Sardis Community Center
  
• Tri-County Help Center for community education and youth outreach efforts and to purchase supplies and fund outings for Safe Spaces, a support group for youth
  
• Village of Lewisville to support Project Snowflake, which will bring lighted decorations to the village for the holiday season
  
• Village of Woodsfield to add a StoryWalk to the walking trail in Woodsfield
  
• Woodsfield Kiwanis Club to support its Coats for Kids project, which provides clothing-only gift cards to K-8 students in Switzerland of Ohio Local School District to purchase coats, hats, boots, gloves and scarves
  
• Woodsfield Girl Scout Troop 31410 to provide supplies for art workshops for Monroe County youth in grades 4-8, spearheaded by a Woodsfield High School student with assistance from local Girl Scouts
  
• The iBELIEVE Foundation to fund the participation of Monroe County youth in the 2024 iBELIEVE Youth Leadership Workshops
  
• Monroe Arts Council to help expand the youth-led “Nightmare at the Haunted Monroe Theatre” event to the fairgrounds

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Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships offered through the Monroe County Community Foundation are made possible by the generosity of donors who support the postsecondary efforts of Monroe County students. Applications for 2024-25 scholarships closed in March 2024. 

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Recent Projects

In 2020, six projects serving Monroe County received funding through the recent grant awards of the MCCF and the Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund.

• The Kiwanis Club of Woodsfield received funding from the MCCF to support the Kiwanis Coats for Kids program, which provides coats, boots, gloves, and hats to K-8^th grade students in the Monroe County Switzerland of Ohio School District. The grant award will help offset revenue lost as a result of event cancellations associated with COVID-19.
• The Monroe Arts Council received funding from the MCCF to support two Monroe County projects. One grant award will support the Monroe Arts Council in installing audio-visual equipment to enhance arts and community programming. A second grant award will support the Art in the Country project, which provides arts opportunities for various Monroe County groups, including seniors.
• The Tri-County Help Center, Inc. received funding from the MCCF to support their Monroe County clients in purchasing food and gas for transportation to access shopping and medical appointments.
• National Church Residencies, LLC received funding from the Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund to purchase face masks for children in Monroe County. The project will support families in accessing face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• The Switzerland of Ohio Ministerial Association received funding from the Appalachian Ohio Emergency Response Fund to support cleaning supplies and other materials needed to safely reopen its thrift store. The store provides a valuable service for the Monroe County community and earned revenue to support the ministerial association.

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Monroe Family of Funds

43 funds partnering with the Monroe County Community Foundation in service to our community:

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Monroe Committee Members

*Denotes founding members still serving in 2024.

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Support the Monroe Community

Gifts to the Community Foundation are not spent, but invested with the interest and earnings used to support community efforts through grants. For this reason, local community foundation funds are powerful vehicles for communities looking to grow resources to address their current and future needs, as well as support developing opportunities. Starting a community foundation fund, where many come together to contribute and grow resources over time, creates a great asset for a county and its residents.

“While the initial gift came from the four of us, this is intended to be something we build, grow, and guide together,” said Monroe County Community Foundation Committee Member Karena Reusser. “The Community Foundation is something we have dreamed about for Monroe County, and we are thrilled to have this new avenue of support for our community to make a difference here locally.”

Donations for the Monroe County Community Foundation Fund can be sent to PO Box 494, Woodsfield, OH 43793 or to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, 35 Public Square – PO Box 456, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764. Credit card donations can also be made by clicking here and designating the Monroe County Community Foundation Fund. For additional information, please call FAO at 740.753.1111.