Eleven grants to fund civics education learning experiences across the region
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), in partnership with the Longaberger Family Foundation, has awarded 11 grants, totaling $39,435, to support K-12 civics education programming throughout the region.
“Informed and engaged young people are vital to strong communities, and that starts in our classrooms,” said Matt Kaido, Longaberger Family Foundation representative. “By investing in civics education, we’re helping students understand how government and communities work while inspiring them to take active roles in their communities and beyond, now and in the future.”
FAO’s Strengthening Civics Education in Appalachian Ohio program provides funding for projects and programs that advance civics education opportunities for K-12 public school students, with a goal of providing the children of Appalachia the knowledge and tools to be future community leaders. Grant applications were open to K-12 public schools, educators, students and public and nonprofit organizations serving K-12 students across Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties.
Grants were awarded to:
- The Academy for Urban Scholars Youngstown (Mahoning County) to fund local field trips to government offices, historical sites and community organizations. These visits will allow students to observe the daily operations of local government, engage with local leaders and public officials, and explore historical landmarks and their significance in civic history.
- Cambridge City Schools in Guernsey County to expand the district’s Ohio Model United Nations team to the middle school and support student participation in the state conference.
- Carrollton Exempted Village Schools in Carroll County to purchase a collection of library books that will enhance civics education for K-4 students. These materials will be incorporated into classroom curriculum and civics-focused library events and discussions.
- Columbiana County Educational Service Center to support leadership training for the Columbiana Business Advisory Council’s Student Leadership Team, composed of one student from each school district in the county who serve as a student voice on the council. The group will collaborate with local government officials and their peers to identify pressing issues in the community and develop solutions.
- Eastern Local School District in Meigs County to support student participation in the Ohio Model United Nations Conference, a three-day education simulation that allows youth to learn about the United Nations.
- Howland Schools in Trumbull County to help fund the expansion of the mock trial team that was established this school year. The team provides students with opportunities to learn about the judicial system while promoting civic engagement.
- Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past to fund speakers for the Youngstown-based nonprofit’s civics education program, which educates K-12 students on the importance of civics and being informed and engaged community members.
- Paper City Mentoring Project to support a summer civics series that will immerse Ross County teenagers, including those who participate in the organization’s school-based mentoring program, in local history, government and youth-led community service.
- United Local Schools in Columbiana County to support a student-led civic engagement project, through which students will shadow local elected officials, identify community issues, conduct research, develop policy-driven recommendations and present their projects at a town hall meeting or government session.
- Vinton County Local Schools to fund a civics-focused eighth-grade field trip to Columbus, which will include a tour of the Ohio Statehouse.
- Weathersfield Local Schools in Trumbull County to ensure all seventh-grade students can participate in an annual Washington, D.C., trip to learn about the federal government, the nation’s history and how to engage with locally elected officials.
“Research shows that K-12 civics education doesn’t just benefit students; it also has positive, long-term impacts on the health and economic well-being of our communities,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “We’re grateful for the Longaberger Family Foundation’s continued partnership to provide experiences that help our young people become informed and engaged community members who understand how local, state and national issues affect them and how they can effect change in our region and beyond.”
Since 2019, FAO and the Longaberger Family Foundation have awarded more than $135,000 in civics education grants through the Strengthening Civics Education in Appalachian Ohio program. This initiative is part of FAO’s Education Pillar of Prosperity, one of five areas essential to growing and sustaining a flourishing Appalachian Ohio.