Seven grants to support nonprofit, public and youth-led projects and programs
McARTHUR, Ohio – The Vinton County Community Fund (VCCF) has awarded seven grants, totaling $15,000, to support initiatives benefiting the county’s residents and communities, including a youth-led project.
“This funding is bringing donors and doers together to improve quality of life throughout Vinton County,” said Bruce Knox, a founding VCCF committee member. “The investments we are making today will reap benefits for years to come and embody the Vinton County Community Fund’s motto: Building a better today, transforming tomorrow.”
This summer, VCCF 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 Vinton County.
Grants were awarded to:
· Easterseals Central and Southeast Ohio to enroll an additional 68 Vinton County children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio
· The iBELIEVE Foundation to fund the participation of five Vinton County youth in the 2024 iBELIEVE Youth Leadership Workshops
· Ohio State University Extension – Vinton County to support the participation of Vinton County residents ages 18-35 in the 2024 Emerging Leaders Workshop
· Sojourners Care Network to provide Vinton County youth experiencing homelessness at least one warm holiday experience this December
· Village of McArthur, McArthur Park Board and Wyman Park to purchase additional equipment for recreational activities at the park
· Vinton County Cancer Research to purchase gas cards for Vinton County residents traveling for medical care due to a cancer diagnosis
The I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund provided VCCF 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. VCCF awarded youth-led project grant funding to the Vinton County Schools Beta Club, composed of students in sixth through 12th grade. The grant will be used to finance the club’s community services projects and participation in leadership events such as the State Convention and Leadership Summit.
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 Vinton County Community Fund and how to support its work, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Vinton, email Vinton@ffao.org or call 740.753.1111.