Donor Spotlight

Donor Spotlight

Jo Ellen Diehl Yeary | Generosity rooted in pride, remembrance, dedication to home

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Morgan Community Fund

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


The Morgan Community Fund is a not-for-profit community fund that is managed and operated by a board of directors made up of local volunteers who believe in the future of Morgan County children.

The Fund was established in 2008 with contributions from people in Morgan County who left part of their estates or made cash contributions to the Morgan Community Fund. All the money we receive stays in Morgan County and supports extra-curricular programs. The programs you read about earlier are just a few of the in-depth support and enrichment programs our contributors provide to help young people grow, thrive, and hopefully stay in Morgan County. Many of our programs are recommendations from our donors, and we are happy to accommodate your dreams and wishes by helping you with planned giving.


2023 Annual Report

To view the Morgan Community Fund’s 2023 annual report, click here.


Grant Opportunities

The Morgan Community Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, accepts grant applications annually from nonprofits, schools and public organizations for projects and programs benefiting Morgan 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 Morgan 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.


Emerging Needs Funding

The Morgan Community Fund is focused on responding quickly and flexibly to critical needs across the county and is actively working to grow available funding. The Fund’s annual grant round opens in August and funding decisions are made by December. 

If you have an emerging need, you may apply for funding outside of the annual grant round. Awards typically range between $500-$2,500, and requests above $7,500 will not be considered.

An “emerging need” is defined as: a need that emerged due to unexpected circumstances. This could include, but is not limited to:

• an emergency or natural disaster
• loss of a planned venue (location)
• unexpected repairs
• other circumstances that could not be planned for or foreseen
• an immediate or time-sensitive need for funds

If your project is a recurring event, an ongoing need, an expense for which funds are not needed before December, please apply during the annual grant round. Funds received through the annual grant round can be used throughout the following year. We encourage organizations to apply through the annual grant round for planned programs and activities.

If you are not sure if your project qualifies, please contact the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio at 740.753.1111.

Interested applicants should submit the following information to info@ffao.org:

• Organization name

• Organization tax status: Nonprofit 501(c)3 or Public Entity (such as government or school). For-profit businesses are not eligible.

• Describe your emerging need and the amount of requested funding

• Contact information, including:

o Organization name

o Contact name, phone, physical address and mailing address if different than physical address

o Name and email of person who is authorized to sign a grant agreement if it is someone other than you

• Nonprofit documentation:

o For 501(c)3 or churches, please email a copy of your IRS decision letter

o For schools or other public entities, please email a copy of your most recent financial audit

o If you are unsure what to send, please call FAO at 740.753.1111


2023 Grant Recipients

  • Girls Scouts of Black Diamond Council to help fund the Healthy Living Champion program, educating girls and families on healthy habits for self, home and community, for a new Girl Scout troop in Morgan County
  • MoCo Kitty Control to help support spay/neuter clinics
  • Morgan Local Schools to purchase materials for students to design, build and launch model rockets and compete in the American Rocketry Challenge
  • Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area to help fund Ohio’s Winding Road Seed Grant Program and provide mini grants that support the development, expansion and marketing of authentic experiences in Morgan County
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to help cover overnight stays for Morgan County families
  • Shrivers Hospice Foundation to support its Someday is Today Program and fund bucket list wishes for terminally ill patients in Morgan County and their families
  • Morgan Junior High School to support Thrive Drive ’24, a service-learning project through which students collect essential, non-food items for the Morgan County United Ministries Manna Harvest Food Pantry.

Recent Projects

The Morgan Community Fund is pleased to announce its 2019 Fortuna Grant recipients!

• Carol Hammond Children’s Theater, awarded $1,400
• Community Action program Corporation of Washington-Morgan Counties, awarded $1,200
MoCo Kitty Kontrol, awarded $1,000
• Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau, awarded $500
• Morgan County Hooked on Fish – Not on Drugs, awarded $2,000
• Morgan East Elementary School, awarded $1,000
• Morgan Local Schools, awarded $500
• Morgan South Elementary School, awarded $1,000
• Morgan Special Olympics, awarded $500
• Rural Action, awarded $900

For more information about 2019 grantees, click here.


Morgan Family of Funds

12 funds partnering with the Morgan Community Fund in service to our community:

  • Morgan Community Fund
  • Citizens National Bank Fund for Morgan County
  • M&M Kiwanis Scholarship Fund
  • Morgan County – Christmas in the Village
  • Morgan County Companion Animal Care Endowment Fund
  • Morgan County Community Fund Auxiliary Program
  • Morgan County Historical Society Fund
  • Morgan County Youth Development Fund
  • Morgan Emergency Grant Program
  • Morgan Foundation Christmas Wish for Kids Fund
  • Outdoor Extravaganza Scholarship
  • S.P.O.T. & MoCo Kitty Endowment


Morgan Committee Members

  • Cinda Erickson
  • Sarah Griesmyer
  • Tyler Hickerson
  • Chris Penrose
  • Quincy Robe
  • Adam Shriver
  • Kelsey Wells
  • Mike Workman, Emeritus

Support the Morgan Community

The Morgan Community Fund is affiliated with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides administrative and investment services to local community funds in all 32 counties in Appalachian Ohio. FAO is professionally managed by a staff of experienced and dedicated leaders who give their hearts to improving the quality of life for all people in Appalachian Ohio. If you would like to know more about FAO, you can visit them at www.appalachianohio.org

Click here to donate now — just make sure to designate the Morgan Community Auxiliary Program Fund when donating.

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If you would like to learn more about the Morgan Community Fund, contact us directly at:

The Morgan Community Fund
67 E. Main St.
P.O. Box 577
McConnelsville, OH 43756

740-962-6772 | Morgan@ffao.org