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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Grant Opportunities

The Monroe County Community Foundation (MCCF), in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), invites nonprofit and public organizations seeking funding for a project or program serving Monroe County to apply for a grant beginning September 7.

MCCF and FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia^® Fund will award up to $10,000 in grants to projects or programs benefitting residents of Monroe County. Projects should increase quality of life, create access to opportunities, or implement a solution to a need in Monroe County.

Click here to apply. The deadline for applications is October 12. Interested in other grants? Visit our opportunities page!

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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

The Growing Family of Funds includes:

• Baker Education and Economic Development Fund
• Friendship Cemetery Endowment
• Gregory S. Baker Legacy Scholarship
• Gulfport Energy Fund
• Hoops for Heart VFD Fund
• Hoops for Heart VFD Scholarship
• Jeff Cox & Jane Shumacher Cox Fund
• Jeff Cox & Jane Schumacher Cox Scholarship Fund 
• Jennifer Garrison Public Service Scholarship
• John G. and Suzanne Scott Weber Scholarship
• Kevin F. Arnold Memorial Fund
• Kiwanis Coats for Kids Fund
• Lewisville and Community Volunteer Fire Department Fund
• Low Gap Cemetery Endowment
• Monroe Arts Council Endowment Fund
• Monroe County Community Foundation Fund
• Oaklawn Cemetery Endowment
• Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Endowment
• River High School Alumni & Friends Fund 
• River High School Alumni & Friends Endowment Fund
• Stafford Cemetery Endowment Fund
• St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Hunne
• St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Mick
• St. Paul’s United Church of Christ Whitt
• Supporting Student Success Fund
• The Davey L. and Sandra Jackson Turner Scholarship Fund
• The Greenbrier Cemetery Endowment Fund
• The Statoil Monroe County Energy Fund
• Time Ross Legacy Fund
• United Way of Guernsey, Monroe, and Noble Endowment Fund
• United Way of Guernsey, Monroe, and Noble Dolly Parton Imagination Library Fund
• Woodsfield Kiwanis Club Pioneer Cemetery Fund

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Monroe Committee Members

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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.