Gifts to the Guernsey County Foundation’s endowment fund are invested, with earnings from those dollars returned to our communities through grants to nonprofits, schools and public organizations serving our neighbors.

With the support of our donors and in partnership with FAO, our grants fund projects and programs that advance 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 projects and programs that create opportunities, meet pressing needs and unleash the potential within Guernsey County.

The 2024 grant application closed on Sept. 10.

A growing impact, year after year

More than $46,000 awarded in 2023!

In 2023, the Guernsey County Foundation awarded 17 grants, totaling $46,372, to support initiatives benefiting our residents and communities. This includes two grants for projects developed and implemented by Guernsey County youth under age 18, empowering our young people’s good work today and inspiring them to embrace future roles as community builders.

Grant recipients

  • Cambridge Area YMCA to purchase equipment for the gymnastics team and classes
  • Cambridge Intermediate School to bring Columbus Zoo animals and animal ambassadors to the school for the End of Year Celebration of Student Achievement
  • Cambridge Intermediate School to help stock the school-wide PAX store and reinforce positive behavior
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Guernsey Countyto establish a new program designed to offer comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention training to adults in Guernsey County
  • Dickens Victorian Villageto purchase a sound system for events
  • East Central Ohio Educational Service Center to purchase books and bookbags for the third annual Family Reading Festivalin Guernsey County
  • East Muskingum Local Schools to support the Try Kindness program aimed at fostering a culture of kindness, inclusivity and positive behavior among students, staff and the wider school community
  • Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center to provide nutritional supplement beverages to Guernsey County residents ages 60 and older who are diagnosed with cancer
  • Hospice of Guernsey Inc. to cover the rental costs and supplies for a widows’ bereavement program weekend retreat
  • Naz Café to support its community outreach efforts, including a weekly breakfast that serves individuals experiencing homelessness in Guernsey County
  • Rolling Hills Local Schools to equip a new social-emotional wellness room that will be used by all students
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to help cover overnight stays for Guernsey County families
  • Society of St. Vincent De Paul Christ Our Light Conference to help offset the costs of training and testing for Guernsey County residents to become certified State Tested Nurse Aides
  • Village of Byesville to support Project Phoenix, providing matching funds for business development efforts and village improvements
  • Village of Senecaville – Betterment Council to support the first phase of park improvements through the construction of a covered pavilion and purchase of picnic tables

  • Cambridge High School to help cover the cost of students’ travel to Columbus to participate in the Ohio Model United Nations Conference
  • The iBELIEVE Foundation to fund the participation of Guernsey County youth in the 2024 iBELIEVE Youth Leadership Workshops

  • American Red Cross of East Central Ohio for the purchase of smoke detectors to be installed in area homes
  • Buckeye Trail Preschool for the purchase of iPads to incorporate technology into the program’s curriculum
  • Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center to help purchase new equipment for its growing Gymnastics Team Program
  • Cambridge City Schools to help create libraries and foster reading enjoyment and enrichment in K-5 classrooms throughout the district
  • Cambridge Intermediate School to help create an afterschool STEM Club
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Guernsey County to help rebuild staffing and provide trauma-informed services to children who have experienced sexual and physical abuse
  • Dickens Victorian Village to help fund the installation of permanent signage and an awning at the welcome center
  • East Central Ohio Educational Service Center to support its annual Guernsey County Reading Festival
  • Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to fund the processing of deer, anticipated to feed at least 1,400 people
  • Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council to provide meaningful Girl Scout experiences to more underserved K-8 girls in Guernsey County through its Community Outreach Program
  • Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center’s Meals on Wheels program to fund materials for its annual “Share the Love” project, which provides baked goods to the county’s senior citizens during the holiday season
  • Haven of Hope to help fund the completion and furnishing of its new administrative office
  • Living Word Outdoor Drama Inc. to help purchase new microphones/headsets
  • Salvation Army to help purchase instruments for a new Youth Music and Band Academy
  • Society of St. Vincent De Paul Christ Our Light Conference to help provide transportation and housing assistance to those who are seeking employment or at risk of losing employment
  • United Way of Guernsey, Monroe and Noble Counties to support its Tiny Book & Blessing Box, which will be stocked with children’s books and non-perishable food items

  • American Red Cross East Central Ohio for the Home Fire Campaign
  • Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center for the Cambridge YMCA Gymnastics Team equipment
  • Cambridge City Schools for the purchase of VEX GO kits to implement computer science principles for the school year and provide hands-on lesson for students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of Guernsey County for maintaining the CAC
  • G.R.A.C.E. Pantry for the Feeding the Hungry as We Recover from COVID-19 project
  • Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center for the Holiday “Share the Love” with Seniors Project to prepare and deliver homemade baked goods to approximately 2,600 Guernsey County senior citizens during the holiday season
  • United Way of Guernsey, Monroe and Noble Counties for a computer upgrade