Fifteen grants to support nonprofit, public and youth-led projects and programs
NELSONVILLE, Ohio – The Nelsonville Community Foundation has awarded 15 grants, totaling $23,775, to support initiatives benefiting Nelsonville and the surrounding communities of Buchtel, Carbon Hill and Murray City, including three youth-led projects.
“These investments are the result of generous donors and a testament to the love so many have for our communities,” said Betty Jo Parsley, Nelsonville Community Foundation committee member. “Together, there is no limit to what we can do for the people and places we call home.”
This summer, the Nelsonville Community Foundation 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 Nelsonville and surrounding communities.
Grants were awarded to:
· Athens County Public Libraries to purchase electric-assisted bicycles for Nelsonville Public Library’s Book-a-Bike program
· City of Nelsonville to help fund fencing and labor costs for a new Nelsonville Dog Park
· Community Food Initiatives to offer workshops at community partner sites and support community members with container gardening
· Nelsonville Area Chamber of Commerce to support the Follow the Star Brick Road: Nelsonville Brick Park Revitalization Project
· Nelsonville-York Elementary School received three grants: (1) to purchase sensory tools for social-emotional learning, (2) to purchase iPads for second-grade classrooms and (3) to purchase iPads for the multiple disabilities classrooms
· Nelsonville-York Middle and High School to support the set-up of a new restaurant at the school, operated by special education students
· Nelsonville-York School District received three grants: (1) to purchase a desktop computer for K-12 classroom use and afterschool programming, (2) to purchase rock band instruments for use by the middle and high school choirs and by the community, and (3) to fund local dining out experiences for students in the high school business class
· Stuart’s Opera House to help fund artist fees and production costs of the Summer Arts Camp for children ages 10-18
The I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund provided the Nelsonville Community Foundation 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. The Nelsonville Community Foundation awarded youth-led project grant funding to:
· The iBELIEVE Foundation to fund the participation of Nelsonville-area youth in the 2024 iBELIEVE Youth Leadership Workshops
· Circle Round the Square to fund three student interns who are stepping into leadership roles at the summer program and workshops
· Nelsonville-York School District’s National Honor Society to purchase feminine hygiene products and support the needs of fellow students
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 Nelsonville Community Foundation and how to support its work, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Nelsonville, email Nelsonville@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.