Twelve grants to support nonprofit, public and youth-led projects and programs
WOODSFIELD, Ohio – The Monroe County Community Foundation (MCCF) has awarded 12 grants, totaling $26,240, to support initiatives benefiting the county’s residents and communities, including three youth-led projects.
“It is an honor and a privilege to provide funding to the many in our communities who are helping neighbors in need and building a stronger Monroe County,” said Suzanne Weber, MCCF committee member. “These grants are a gift from Monroe County Community Foundation supporters and a reflection of love for our residents and communities.”
This summer, MCCF and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund invited nonprofits, schools and public organizations to apply for grants to advance initiatives across five areas essential to creating and sustaining transformative change: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. Emphasis was on supporting individuals of all ages who are spearheading projects and programs that create opportunities, meet pressing needs and unleash the potential within Monroe County.
Grants were awarded to:
· Broken Timber Outdoor Education Center to run electricity to its educational pavilion, supported by the Baker Education and Economic Development Fund
· Crossed Paws Animal Shelter to build an outdoor seating area, supported by the Baker Education and Economic Development Fund
· Monroe Central High School FFA program to support its programming and activities in the community
· Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to help cover overnight stays for Monroe County families
· Sardis CARES to help restore the kitchen floor at the Sardis Community Center
· Tri-County Help Center for community education and youth outreach efforts and to purchase supplies and fund outings for Safe Spaces, a support group for youth
· Village of Lewisville to support Project Snowflake, which will bring lighted decorations to the village for the holiday season
· Village of Woodsfield to add a StoryWalk to the walking trail in Woodsfield
· Woodsfield Kiwanis Club to support its Coats for Kids project, which provides clothing-only gift cards to K-8 students in the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District to purchase coats, hats, boots, gloves and scarves
The I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund provided MCCF up to $5,000 to support projects developed and implemented by local youth under age 18. The goal of this funding is to empower young leaders and inspire them to embrace greater roles in their communities. MCCF awarded youth-led project grant funding to:
· Woodsfield Girl Scout Troop 31410 to provide supplies for art workshops for Monroe County youth in grades 4-8, spearheaded by a Woodsfield High School student with assistance from local Girl Scouts
· The iBELIEVE Foundation to fund the participation of Monroe County youth in the 2024 iBELIEVE Youth Leadership Workshops
· Monroe Arts Council to help expand the youth-led “Nightmare at the Haunted Monroe Theatre” event to the fairgrounds
Matching funds are available for year-end gifts
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is providing a 50-cent match for every $1 given to any endowment at FAO, including those supporting its affiliate foundations. Matching funds can even be used to help start a new endowment fund. A total of $500,000 in match funding is available on a first-come, first served basis through Dec. 31, with up to $25,000 in match available per household. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/endowmentmatchFAO.
To learn more about the Monroe County Community Foundation and how to support its work, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Monroe, email Monroe@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.