Seven grants to support nonprofit, public and youth-led projects and programs
McCONNELSVILLE, Ohio – The Morgan Community Fund (MCF) has awarded seven grants, totaling $15,000, to support initiatives benefiting the county’s residents and communities, including a youth-led project.
“These grants are an investment in the present and future prosperity of Morgan County and its residents,” said Kelsey Wells, MCF committee member. “We’re all about bringing donors and doers who care about our communities together to build a better today and even brighter tomorrow.”
This summer, MCF 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 Morgan County.
Grants were awarded to:
· Girls Scouts of Black Diamond Council to help fund the Healthy Living Champion program, educating girls and families on healthy habits for self, home and community, for a new Girl Scout troop in Morgan County
· MoCo Kitty Control to help support spay/neuter clinics
· Morgan Local Schools to purchase materials for students to design, build and launch model rockets and compete in the American Rocketry Challenge
· Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area to help fund Ohio’s Winding Road Seed Grant Program and provide mini grants that support the development, expansion and marketing of authentic experiences in Morgan County
· Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to help cover overnight stays for Morgan County families
· Shrivers Hospice Foundation to support its Someday is Today Program and fund bucket list wishes for terminally ill patients in Morgan County and their families
The I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund provided MCF 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. MCF awarded youth-led project grant funding to Morgan Junior High School. The grant will be used to support Thrive Drive ’24, a service-learning project through which students collect essential, non-food items for the Morgan County United Ministries Manna Harvest Food Pantry.
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 Morgan Community Fund and how to support its work, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Morgan, email Morgan@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.