Nearly $59,000 awarded to advance 22 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 $58,750 during its 2026 grant round to advance 22 projects and programs benefiting the county’s residents and communities.
“Behind every one of these grants are donors and doers investing in the people, places and potential of Perry County,” said Kevin Wood, CFPC committee member. “We are deeply grateful to the donors whose gifts make these grants possible and to the dedicated doers who are leading projects and programs that strengthen families, expand opportunities and improve quality of life across our communities.”
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 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 Perry County.
The 2026 grant recipients are:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Licking and Perry Counties to expand the Lunch Buddies mentoring program to serve additional at-risk youth throughout Perry County
- 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, education, independent living and community engagement
- FosterHub to support its driver training program for Perry County youth aging out of the foster care system
- Hocking-Athens-Perry Community Action to supports its Bridge the Gap Program, which provides one-time emergency financial assistance to Perry County residents facing a crisis that can’t be resolved through other available resources
- Hopewell/Madison Choice Food Pantry to purchase a new commercial cooler
- Love Thy Neighbor Food Pantry to purchase food
- Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio to purchase food for the monthly distributions it holds at the Junction City Park
- New Lexington City School District to purchase equipment for a new introductory woodworking class, a prerequisite to enter the building trades pathway at the high school
- New Straitsville Public Library to support the 2027 Small Town Adventures Summer Camp for students
- Ohio University Foundation to fund Perry County youth’s participation in the Ohio University Diabetes Institute’s CAT Camp for youth with Type I diabetes
- Perry Animal Welfare Society to provide financial assistance to low-income pet owners for spay/neuter procedures for their dogs and cats
- Perry County Board of Developmental Disabilities to purchase diapers and wipes for Perry County families participating in the Help Me Grow Home Visiting program
- Perry County Cultural Arts Center to support the 2027 Summer Arts Program for children in grades 1-8
- Perry County Job and Family Services to provide funding for a family outing and care packages to Perry County foster families
- Perry Emergency Assistance Program to purchase food for the New Lexington Food Pantry
- Perry Housing Coalition Inc. to support its emergency hotel voucher, food assistance and hygiene bag services
- Rural Action to purchase food from area farms to distribute to Perry County food pantries
- Salvation Army Zanesville Corps to provide emergency rent and utility assistance to Perry County households at risk of eviction, utility shutoff or unstable living situations
- Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living to support its Youth Leadership Forum in southeastern Ohio, a summer career leadership training program for high school students with disabilities
- Southern Local School District received two grants: (1) to support the Feeding the Falcons school food pantry and the Miller Mall, an in-house clothing closet and (2) to support a field trip for gifted students to the museum at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Carillon Historical Park
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.