Nearly $48,000 awarded to advance 13 projects and programs
McCONNELSVILLE, Ohio – The Morgan Community Fund (MCF), with the support of its donors and in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), has awarded $47,754 during its 2026 grant round to advance 13 projects and programs benefiting the county’s residents and communities.
“We thank the generous donors whose philanthropy makes these investments possible,” said Kelsey Wells, MCF committee member. “And we are honored to support the passionate leaders, volunteers and community partners whose commitment to Morgan County is at the heart of every project and program we are able to fund.”
Nonprofits, schools and public organizations serving Morgan County were invited to apply for grants – made possible by gifts to MCF’s endowment fund – to advance opportunities across five areas essential to flourishing communities: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. Emphasis is 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.
The 2026 grant recipients are:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Appalachian Ohio to support Morgan High School students’ participation in the second year of Beyond School Walls, a two-year workforce exploration program
- Mary’s House at Silver Heels Inc. to help provide free housing and skills building to expectant mothers and their children
- Morgan Community Support and Solutions received two grants: (1) to fund a scholarship award for one Morgan High School student participating in its summer internship program and (2) to help cover expenses for the 2027 growing season at the McConnelsville Community Garden
- Morgan County Historical Society to upgrade its computer system and purchase a laptop, new software and digitalization equipment
- Morgan Local School District received three grants: (1) to support the teaching, reinforcement and recognition of positive character traits to East Elementary students; (2) to purchase materials to create a makerspace at South Elementary focused on 3D printing, shirt production, sticker design and robotics; and (3) to purchase 3D printers and button-making machines for the Innovation Station technology lab at West Elementary
- Rural Action to fund improvements to the Country Store within the Chesterhill Produce Auction, including a new storefront, a display freezer for meat and display cabinets for baked goods
- Tabor Ridge Christian School to purchase classroom learning tools, including laptops, calculators and an encyclopedia set
- Twin City Opera House to purchase a professional sound system
- Village of Chesterhill to support improvements to the playground at Marion Park
- Village of McConnelsville, an Aspiring Community to support the continuation and expansion of community-driven initiatives, including community events, such as the Independence Day Festival and Honey Hop
MCF, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, was established in 2008 to develop and grow permanent resources that provide continuous investment in Morgan County and its nonprofits, schools and communities. Each year, earnings from charitable giving to MCF’s endowment fund are reinvested in Morgan County through grants that meet the county’s greatest needs and most promising opportunities.