New investment brings FAO’s first Pillar of Prosperity fund to $10 million goal
NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) have expanded a partnership designed to advance environmental health and well-being for people within their service areas for years to come.
Earlier this year, MWCD’s Board of Directors approved a $5 million gift to FAO’s Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity, one of five funds established by FAO and its partners to create new opportunities across five areas essential to quality of life. Other pillar funding areas are arts and culture, community and economic development, education, and health and human services.
The recent investment from MWCD makes environmental stewardship the first pillar fund to reach $10 million – a level that will allow FAO to award up to $500,000 annually in grants, fellowships and scholarships across the region.
In January, FAO awarded more than $160,000 in partnership with MWCD to support projects and individuals committed to advancing conservation and environmental stewardship in the region. But requests totaled nearly eight times the amount of funding available.
“In 2024, we were able to begin accepting proposals annually to support conservation and environmental stewardship efforts, thanks to a previous investment from MWCD and gifts from other donors who helped establish our Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “Through MWCD’s latest gift, we’ll be able to fund even more environmental initiatives that will benefit our communities, not only today but for generations to come. In time, our goal is to have all five pillar funds reach this level.”
Recently funded projects included a study to determine whether dredge material from inland lakes is suitable for application on reclaimed coal mine lands, a week-long science camp for middle school students and local projects to create and expand community garden and garden arts programming.
Applications for 2025 Environmental Stewardship grants and fellowships are open through Tuesday, July 15. Funding is available to support community projects, fellowships, research and innovation in the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio and seven additional counties served by MWCD. For more information or to apply for funding, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/EnvironmentalStewardship.
With the latest investment, FAO and MWCD will create a new statewide collaborative to identify priorities around water quality research, provide services for FAO’s affiliate foundation partners in MWCD’s service area and continue to grow funding available for environmental stewardship-related projects in the region.
“Strengthening conservation and sustainability is one of the key aspects of MWCD’s five-year strategic plan, and our continued and expanded partnership with FAO aligns perfectly with this goal,” said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. “The new collaborative will guide research priorities related to the watershed, so we can target future funding toward new and creative approaches that improve water quality and address critical gaps in existing environmental research. Together, MWCD and FAO are building a healthier environment and a stronger future for every community we serve.”
A 501(c)(3) public charity, FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 14 geographic affiliate foundations and the regionwide African American Community Fund, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. FAO affiliates in MWCD’s service area are the Guernsey County Foundation, Harrison County Community Foundation, Morgan Community Fund, Noble County Community Foundation and African American Community Fund. FAO also works with affiliates serving the Nelsonville area and Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Perry and Vinton counties.