Donor Spotlight

Donor Spotlight

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

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Youth-Led Grants

In 2023, we teamed up with our 15 affiliate foundation partners for our first-ever youth-led grant opportunity and awarded 30 grants, totaling nearly $72,000, for projects developed and implemented by youth under age 18.

The goal? To invest in the good work our youth are doing today while helping to build their resiliency and inspiring them to embrace roles as changemakers committed to creating strong, vibrant communities they – and future children of Appalachian Ohio – want to call home.


2024 youth-led grant opportunity

We and our affiliate foundation partners are accepting funding proposals for our second youth-led grant opportunity from Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, through Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.

Click here to view/download a PDF of the 2024 Youth-Led RFP.

Up to $75,000 in funding is available to support youth leadership of projects advancing opportunities in one or more of FAO’s five Pillars of Prosperity funding areas: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. Projects must benefit communities in the following areas served by our affiliate foundation partners:

Through our African American Community Fund, youth-led projects that are Black-led or Black-serving across all 32 Appalachian Ohio counties are also eligible for this grant opportunity.

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.