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Morgan Community Fund Awards $20,000 to Local Nonprofit Organizations


2020 Fortuna Grant Recipients Help 2,000 Residents

McConnelsville, OH – Ten organizations serving Morgan County’s people and communities will have greater support for their projects because of $20,000 awarded through the Morgan Community Fund’s Fortuna Grant Program. The Fund’s 2020 grant round focused on projects that will increase quality of life, create access to opportunities, or implement a solution for a community need.

“The COVID-19 crisis has created new needs in Morgan County’s communities while increasing existing issues, such as food insecurity,” said Mike Workman, a member of the Morgan Community Fund committee. “We are so excited to fund several organizations working on the ground to make a difference in Morgan County’s communities during this challenging time.”

2020 Fortuna Grant recipients include:

The American Red Cross of East Central Ohio received funding for its Disaster Cycle Service program, which will help individuals and families through fire preparedness education, free smoke alarm installation, escape plan education, and more.

The Community Action Program of Washington-Morgan Counties received funding to provide around 1,000 hot and nutritious meals to Morgan County youth throughout the summer months as a way to address food insecurity while school is out. The grant will also support haircuts to children who might otherwise lack access as a way to promote good hygiene.

MoCo Kitty Kontrol received a grant to hold two spay and neuter clinics in McConnelsville, which will help the organization spay, neuter, and administer rabies vaccines to over 40 cats in the county. This will help control the local cat population and ensure that people in the community have access to veterinary care for their pets.

The Morgan County United Ministries, in cooperation with the Village of Malta,received funding for a new children’s playground where families can enjoy new, safe, and updated playground equipment. By providing a space for recreation, the project will support health and wellness in the community.

Morgan Local Schools received funding for its Summer Technology Camp, a five-day camp that will offer advanced technology courses to 40-50 students in grades 4-10. Courses will include 3D printing, PC building and repair, programming of drones, robotics design and programming, electronics and circuitry, video production and editing, and eSports gaming and game design.

Morgan South Elementary School received funding to support the school’s Care Team, created by teachers to meet the needs of students who are struggling academically, mentally, socially, behaviorally, or financially. The grant will help the Care Team expand the number of students that it serves by purchasing additional clothes, food, glasses, and more.

Morgan West Elementary School received funding to support the social and emotional needs of Morgan County students through a new Reset for Success Room, available to any students who need a place to ‘reset’ for the day through meditation, calming techniques, and therapies. The room will particularly benefit students living with developmental disabilities or who have experienced emotional trauma.

The Multicultural Genealogical Center received funding to engage Morgan County residents in multicultural history education through an escape room, an interactive adventure game in which participants solve riddles and find clues.

Shriver’s Hospice Foundation received funding to directly support 5-10 Morgan County hospice patients and their families by granting end of life wishes in 2021. Past examples of end of life wishes include airplane rides and trips to the Hocking Hills.

The Twin City Opera House received funding to support showings of classic films. The films will be free and open to the public, and funding supports the Opera House in continuing to provide safe and accessible entertainment to Morgan County and the surrounding areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Morgan Community Fund was established in 2008 with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) to inspire local philanthropy and ensure permanent support for the people and communities of Morgan County. In 2020, the Fund’s annual Fortuna Grant Program was able to offer an additional $10,000 to support Morgan County communities and organizations through funding from FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia ® Fund.

The Morgan Community Fund will hold its next round of the Fortuna Grant Program this fall. For the latest news on when grant opportunities become available, sign up for the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s e-Newsletter at www.AppalachianOhio.org, and follow the Morgan Community Fund on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Gifts to the Morgan Community Fund will make it possible for the Fortuna Grant Program to support more organizations with more resources in the future. And, for a limited time, gifts to the Fund will make an even greater difference, thanks to matching funds available for all gifts to the Morgan Community Fund endowment on www.CauseConnector.org/Morgan.

Gifts are tax deductible and can be made in many ways, including cash, bequests, life insurance, and charitable remainder trusts. To mail your donation, please designate the Morgan Community Fund and mail to P.O. Box 577, McConnelsville, OH 43756. To learn more about the Morgan Community Fund endowment, visit www.CauseConnector.org/Morgan.

About the Morgan Community Fund
The Morgan Community Fund was established in 2008 to ensure permanent support for the citizens and communities of Morgan County. A local community fund of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Morgan Community Fund works to inspire philanthropy.

About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation creates opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. For more information about FAO, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org.