Gifts to the Community Foundation for Perry County’s endowment fund are invested, with earnings from those dollars returned to our communities through grants to nonprofits, schools and public organizations serving our neighbors.

With the support of our donors and in partnership with FAO, our grants fund projects and programs that advance opportunities across five areas, known as our Pillars of Prosperity: 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 2024 grant application closed on Sept. 10.

A growing impact, year after year

Nearly $38,000 awarded in 2023!

In 2023, the Community Foundation for Perry County awarded 16 grants, totaling $37,740, to support initiatives benefiting our residents and communities. This includes two grants for projects developed and implemented by Perry County youth under age 18, empowering our young people’s good work today and inspiring them to embrace future roles as community builders.

Grant recipients

  • Capabilities Charitable Fund to provide mini grants to Perry County residents with disabilities to support or expand their employment or promote independence and integration in the community
  • Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio to support a home build in New Lexington for a family in need
  • Hardbarger Impact Ministries to help install a concrete floor at God’s Garage, which serves those in need by providing vehicle maintenance and repairing donated cars
  • Hoofs Rescue to purchase supplies and materials for animal rescues
  • Ludowici Community Foundation to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio
  • Miller High School Art Department to purchase supplies for introductory art class and to reimplement ceramics classes
  • Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center to purchase supplies and help fund the teacher’s salary for the 24-week Alpha School cross-curriculum art program
  • Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area to help fund Ohio’s Winding Road Seed Grant Program and provide mini grants that support the development, expansion and marketing of authentic experiences in Perry County
  • Perry County District Library to provide shelf-stable breakfast and lunch packs to Perry County children who reside in areas not currently eligible for the USDA-funded programs for afterschool nutritional snacks
  • Perry County Park District to purchase equipment for the development and maintenance of hiking trails
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to help cover overnight stays for Perry County families
  • Roseville Historical Society to help fund a basement repair
  • Sycamore Learning Cooperative to help fund a weekly farm/nature program and evening arts programs for Perry County children and teenagers
  • Tecumseh Theater to supports its Saturday Matinees

  • Girls Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council to assist with program costs for the Girl Scout Leadership Experience in Perry County
  • The iBELIEVE Foundation to fund the participation of Perry County youth in the 2024 iBELIEVE Youth Leadership Workshops

  • Destination Shawnee to help equip Shawnee Showtime, a monthly event providing children and families access to movies and educational documentaries without the expense of tickets, refreshments and travel
  • Perry County Cultural Arts Center to support its summer art workshops
  • Perry County Health Department to support the creation of a pollinator garden adjacent to the New Lexington Wetlands Project
  • Perry Soil and Water Conservation District to help fund a geophysical survey of the “squircle” area in Glenford Fort Preserve, a 63-acre site that will become an outdoor laboratory and education center
  • Rendville Historic Preservation Society to support an urgent restoration to the front face of the Town Hall as part of the Rendville Heritage Center, scheduled to partially open in 2023
  • Rural Action to help fund a Family Fishing Day event at Lake Tecumseh
  • Somerset Artists’ Cooperative to help fund next summer’s Kids Creativity Camp
  • Tecumseh Theater to support its Saturday Matinees and the creation of a community work of theatrical art
  • Village of Hemlock to help secure veteran banners, American flags and Ohio flags to be displayed within the village

  • Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio to support the 2022 Perry County Habitat Build in Junction City
  • American Red Cross – East Central Ohio for the Home Fire Campaign in Perry County toward fire safety training and assistance
  • Ludowici Community Foundation for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to support the expansion of this program
  • Perry County Job & Family Services for the Perry JFS Diaper Bank, providing diapers and wipes to parents in need
  • Rural Action Inc. for Family Fishing Day at Lake Tecumseh
  • Tecumseh Theater for the Winter Arts Camp for children, creating a community work of theatrical art, culminating in a group performance
  • New Lexington Schools for the Little Free Library to be established at the entrance of the New Lexington Elementary fitness trail
  • Perry County Cultural Arts Center for the Hansel and Gretel Musical Production Workshop, a two-week theatrical workshop for students, culminating in the production of “Hansel and Gretel”