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.

2020 grant awards are pending.

In 2019, the Monroe County Community Foundation recently made a series of grants to organizations benefiting Monroe County citizens. These grants include:

• The Monroe County Health Department received a $500 award to support their car seat program, which will allow the health department to give out car seats to approximately 11 families who might not otherwise have access to one, while also providing car seat education and assisting parents with proper installation.
• The Monroe County Historical Society received a $500.00 award which will help the organization preserve quilts for display in its museum. The quilts in the museum’s collection were created by generations of Monroe County residents and many depict the county’s history. Providing proper storage for the quilts will allow them to live on for future generations to enjoy.
• The Ohio Hills Health Center received a $425.00 award to purchase a portable ophthalmoscope/otoscope, a device with a bright light and magnifying lens that is routinely used during all medical exams to check the ears, eyes, and nose. The purchase of the device will enhance patient care, particularly during home visits.
• United Way of Guernsey, Monroe, and Noble Counties received a $500 award to support the Monroe County Dolly Parton Imagination Library, established in 2016 to provide children access to free reading materials. This award will allow 20 more children to receive books from the organization over the next year.

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 Chumacher Cox Fund
Jeff Cox & Jane Schumacher Cox Scholarship Fund 
Friendship Cemetery Endowment
Jennifer Garrison Public Service Scholarship
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.