Nearly $60,000 awarded to support 23 projects and programs
NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio – The Community Foundation for Perry County (CFPC), with the support of its donors and in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), has awarded $59,900 during its 2025 grant cycle to advance 23 projects and programs benefiting the county’s residents and communities.
“These grants represent Perry County at its finest – generous donors who believe in the potential of our people uniting with committed community members who are bringing that potential to life,” said Kevin Wood, CFPC committee member. “Together, we are driving meaningful change and creating opportunities to flourish across all ages and communities in Perry County.”
Nonprofits, schools and public organizations serving Perry County were invited to apply for grants – made possible by gifts to CFPC’s endowment fund – to advance opportunities across five funding areas: 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 Perry County.
The 2025 grant recipients are:
- Bottoms Up Diaper Bank to purchase diapers for Perry County families in need
- Capabilities Charitable Fund to provide mini grants to Perry County residents with disabilities to help them overcome barriers to employment, independence and community engagement
- Destination Shawnee to create a mobile display of Shawnee’s cultural heritage and history that will be shared at local and regional events
- EHFAR to increase local enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and to provide books to Perry County children in the program
- ForeverDads to purchase books for fathers to read to their children, which will be distributed at All-Pro Dads breakfasts at nine Perry County elementary schools
- Genesis HealthCare Foundation to purchase an automated external defibrillator for a community-based location in Perry County
- Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action to support an emergency assistance program for low-income Perry County residents
- The Libby Project to help purchase vaccines, equipment and materials for a mobile unit that will provide low- or no-cost vaccinations for dogs cared for by low-income families in Perry County
- Lotus Healing Center to help fund materials and supplies needed to launch a trauma-informed community engagement and healing initiative in Perry County
- Ludowici Community Foundation to purchase cushioned tiles for the splash pad at the LCF Park in New Lexington
- Miller High School Band Boosters to purchase fundraising supplies for the band
- Perry County Mobility Management to purchase ADA-compliant ramp kits that can be installed, removed and reassigned to Perry County households that need a wheelchair ramp but do not have the financial means to purchase one
- Ohio University Foundation to fund Perry County youth’s participation in the Ohio University Diabetes Institute’s CAT Camp for youth with Type 1 diabetes
- Perry County Cultural Arts Center to support the Summer Arts Program for children in grades 1-8
- Perry County Job and Family Services to support the Senior Technology and Engagement Program, which includes workshops on fundamental computer skills and internet safety, supported by the AT&T Foundation
- Perry Emergency Assistance Program to fund operating costs for the New Lexington Food Pantry, which serves five Perry County townships
- Rendville Historic Preservation Society to replace four windows at the Little White House, the only remaining miner’s house on Rendville’s Main Street
- Rural Action to support a project through which Miller High School English students will learn about Robinson’s Cave and help develop a self-guided tour of this historic site and notable cultural resource
- Sheridan High School to support a competitive esports program for students
- Southern Local School District received two grants: (1) to support a career exploration program that includes field trips and workplace visits for students in grades 7-12 and (2) to help fund a field trip to Cincinnati for gifted students
- Sunday Creek Associates received two grants: (1) to help fund stipends for high school students who lead and mentor fifth- and sixth-grade students participating in the Outdoor Adventure Guides Buddies Program and (2) to support the development of a monthly variety series that will be held in the newly restored second floor of the Tecumseh Theater
CFPC, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, was established in 2012 to develop and grow permanent resources that provide continuous investment in Perry County and its nonprofits, schools and communities. Each year, earnings from charitable giving to CFPC’s endowment fund are reinvested in Perry County through grants that meet the county’s greatest needs and most promising opportunities.