Up to $75,000 available for projects developed, implemented by youth under age 18
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and its 15 affiliate foundation partners announce the opening of grant applications for projects developed and implemented by youth under age 18.
Up to $75,000 in grant funding is available to support youth leadership of projects advancing 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 FAO affiliate foundations:
- Gallia County
- Guernsey County
- Harrison County
- Highland County
- Hocking County
- Jackson County
- Lawrence County
- Meigs County
- Monroe County
- Morgan County
- Nelsonville and/or the surrounding communities of Buchtel, Carbon Hill and Murray City
- Noble County
- Perry County
- Vinton County
In addition, through the African American Community Fund at FAO, youth-led projects that are Black-led or Black-serving across all 32 Appalachian Ohio counties are eligible for this grant opportunity.
Grant requests must be for projects led by youth working in fiscal partnership with a nonprofit, school or public organization. FAO staff are available to answer questions about potential projects and the application process and to help identify partners and fiscal sponsors.
Grant requests should be between $250 and $2,500, but larger requests will be considered based on potential impact.
Applications open Tuesday, Aug. 20, and close Tuesday, Oct. 1. Additional information and the application are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/youth-led-grants.
Projects will be evaluated based on the degree to which they are led by youth and the potential impact on communities. Funding decisions will be made by leaders of FAO’s affiliate foundations. In 2023, FAO teamed up with its 15 affiliate foundation partners for its first-ever youth-led grant opportunity and awarded 30 grants, totaling nearly $72,000, to youth-led projects.