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.

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.

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.”

The Monroe County Community Foundation Family of Funds:

Kevin F. Arnold Memorial Fund
Baker Education and Economic Development Fund
Jeff & Jane Shumacher Cox Fund
Jeff Cox & Jane Schumacher Cox Scholarship Fund 
Friendship Cemetery Endowment
Jennifer Garrison Public Service Scholarship

John G. and Suzanne Scott Weber Scholarship Fund

Gulfport Energy Fund
Hoops for Heart VFD Fund
Hoops for Heart VFD Scholarship
Kiwanis Coats for Kids Fund
Lewisville and Community Volunteer Fire Department Fund
Monroe County Community Foundation Fund
River High School Alumni & Friends Fund 
River High School Alumni & Friends Endowment Fund
Stafford Cemetery Endowment Fund
The Statoil Monroe County Energy Fund
Supporting Student Success Fund
The Davey L. and Sandra Jackson Turner Scholarship Fund
United Way of Guernsey, Monroe, and Noble Endowment Fund

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.