The Changemaker of the Year Award, established by the FAO Board in 2022, is given to an organization, team or individual for advancing transformative changes within Appalachian Ohio.

Changemaker of the Year Awardees

Ohio Optometric Association and Foundation, Vision To Learn and the Ohio Treasurer of State’s Office - 2023

These visionaries and collaborators behind FAO’s iSee with Vision To Learn program are a testament to the collective impact of giving and the results made possible through partnership. iSee with Vision To Learn provides free vision screenings, eye exams and prescription glasses through mobile vision clinics at schools.

Each partner brought their own unique gifts to make this program possible and successful. The Ohio Optometric Association and Ohio Optometric Foundation provided technical knowledge of vision care and funding, connected eye doctors with the program and created a continuum of care for students. Vision To Learn, a national nonprofit, brought expertise in mobile vision service delivery to work with schools and other youth-serving organizations to coordinate the program across the region. The Ohio Treasurer of State’s office recognized the promise of this program as its first ResultsOHIO pay-for-success project, measuring its success through vision exam and eyeglasses rates.

In 2023, iSee with Vision to Learn became the first project to successfully complete the ResultsOHIO program, and the Ohio Legislature appropriated funds to begin statewide expansion of the program.

Read about the impact of iSee with Vision To Learn

African American Community Fund committee - 2022

The leaders of the African American Community Fund (AACF), one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, are a beautiful example of what a group of diverse individuals united by passion can achieve together.

This group was recognized for growing philanthropic resources that are elevating the quality of life for Appalachian Ohio’s African American community.

Established in January 2020, AACF serves as a vehicle to address disparities in the African American community and to improve the physical, economic and structural conditions that affect quality of life. In less than three years, the Fund had received more than 150 gifts, totaling nearly $500,000, and awarded more than 25 grants benefiting Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit and public organizations across the region.

Behind all that generosity is a dedicated group of visionaries and leaders who have invested time, talent, treasure and a lot of love into strengthening not only African American populations in the region, but entire communities.

Learn more about AACF

Athens County Food Pantry Board - 2022

The Athens County Food Pantry board was recognized for its visionary leadership in stewarding the outpouring of generosity following Joe Burrow’s 2019 Heisman Trophy acceptance speech.

Burrow’s words prompted thousands of donors – individuals, businesses and organizations – to give to fight food insecurity in his home county. With an eye toward making a lasting difference with these gifts, the Athens County Food Pantry invested $350,000 in July 2020 to create the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund at FAO. With support from the Ohio Legislature, FAO matched that initial investment dollar for dollar, resulting in $700,000 for the fund. The Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund has grown to more than $1.65 million, and its impact has expanded beyond Athens County.

Established in 1980, the Athens County Food Pantry is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization delivering aid in the form of direct food distribution. The creation of the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund, a permanent endowment, will strengthen the pantry’s mission in perpetuity.

Read more about the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund