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Foundation For Appalachian Ohio

Annual Giving
$6.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Foundation For Appalachian Ohio

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,000,000+ (2024)
  • Total Assets: $133,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (typically 2-3 months for scholarships)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $20,000+ (varies by fund)
  • Geographic Focus: 32 counties in Appalachian Ohio

Contact Details

Address: 35 Public Square, Nelsonville, OH 45764
Phone: 740-753-1111
Email: info@ffao.org
Website: appalachianohio.org

Overview

The Foundation For Appalachian Ohio (FAO) was founded in 1998 and became a 501(c)(3) public charity in February 1999. It is the first and only community foundation serving all 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. With $133 million in assets stewarding over 700 charitable funds, FAO has awarded nearly $50 million in grants, scholarships, and fellowships over the past 25 years. In 2024 alone, FAO and its 15 affiliate foundation partners awarded more than $6 million. The foundation's grantmaking began in 2001 with two grants totaling $30,000 and reached a record $9.5 million in 2023. FAO was recognized in 2006 as one of the first Ohio community foundations to meet National Standards and received recognition in David Brooks' 2019 book The Second Mountain for its innovative community-building work, including the nation's first "nonprofit IPO" in 2014 that raised over $3.4 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

FAO awards competitive grants throughout the year across five Pillars of Prosperity:

  • Arts and Culture: Supporting creative programming and cultural development
  • Community and Economic Development: Building sustainable communities and economic opportunities
  • Education: K-12 schools, educators, students, and educational programming (partnership with Longaberger Family Foundation)
  • Environmental Stewardship: Conservation and environmental projects (partnership with Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District providing $10 million investment)
  • Health and Human Services: Improving health outcomes and human service delivery

Specific Programs and Grant Examples:

  • Environmental Stewardship Grants: $120,000+ awarded annually for conservation projects including community grants ($1,000-$20,000), fellowships, innovation grants, and research grants. Recent recipients include The Big Love Network, Briggs Lawrence County Public Library, The Dawes Arboretum, and various university research projects.

  • County Community Foundation Grants: Individual county funds award grants ranging from $10,000 to $48,000 annually through affiliate foundations (Harrison, Perry, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Monroe, Morgan, Nelsonville, and others).

  • Dale Hileman Legacy Fund: Awards up to $2,000 total in competitive grants, with individual requests not exceeding $1,000.

  • Growing Home Fellowship: $32,000 stipend for early-career educators (ages 18-35) who commit to living, working, and volunteering in the region for five years. Over 121 fellows in the inaugural 2023 cohort across 29 counties.

  • I'm a Child of Appalachia Fund: Flexible grants with 50% invested in endowment and 50% for immediate impact (1-5 years), focused on digital divide, literacy, and student success initiatives. All gifts matched dollar-for-dollar.

Priority Areas

  • Locally driven projects that fill community needs
  • Projects led by "selfless community builders" committed to the region
  • Initiatives that address the region's philanthropic resource gap (90% less than rest of Ohio)
  • Programs supporting youth and K-12 education
  • Conservation and environmental stewardship
  • Capacity-building for nonprofits and community leaders
  • Projects benefiting underserved populations

What They Don't Fund

Specific funding exclusions are not publicly documented on FAO's website. Applicants should contact FAO directly at 740-753-1111 or info@ffao.org to confirm eligibility for specific projects.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

  • Cara Dingus Brook, President & CEO: Joined FAO 15 years ago; focused on transformative philanthropy. Quote: "When I look across southeast Ohio, I see a region abundant in visionary and capable leaders who have chosen to spend their lives advancing opportunities for others... Now is the time to think big about our region's future. We need to be bold, strategic and collaborative."

  • Holly Shelton, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer: Supports regional charitable efforts

  • Megan Wanczyk, Chief Impact Officer: Oversees programmatic investments and communications

  • Kelly Morman, Director of Programs: Leads grantmaking and strategic initiatives

  • Kelly Ayers, Senior Director of Finance (CPA)

Board of Trustees:

  • Chair: Ronald Strickmaker (Athens County)
  • Vice Chair: Kristi Tanner (Franklin/Scioto Counties)
  • Treasurer: TJ Conger (Franklin/Jackson Counties)
  • Board members represent diverse counties and backgrounds including business leaders, nonprofit executives, and community advocates

Affiliate Foundations (15 total): African American Community Fund (regionwide), Community Foundation for Perry County, Gallia Community Foundation, Guernsey County Foundation, Harrison County Community Foundation, Highland County Community Fund, Hocking County Community Fund, Jackson County Community Foundation, Lawrence County Community Foundation, Meigs County Foundation, Monroe County Community Foundation, Morgan Community Fund, Nelsonville Community Foundation, Noble County Community Foundation, and Vinton County Community Fund.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

FAO accepts applications through an online portal system. Applications vary by specific grant program:

  • Grant Opportunities: Visit appalachianohio.org/opportunities/grants/grant-opportunities to browse current funding opportunities by county and pillar area
  • Online System: FAO has transitioned to a new online system for funding applications
  • Pre-Application Contact: Applicants are encouraged to contact FAO at 740-753-1111 or info@ffao.org with grant requests or funding ideas

Application Methods: Varies by program - some programs have fixed annual deadlines, others accept applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Decision Timeline

Timeline varies by grant program:

  • Scholarships: Applications open mid-January, close mid-February; reviewed in April; decisions announced early May (approximately 3 months from deadline)
  • Environmental Stewardship Grants: Announced annually in December
  • County Foundation Grants: Decision timelines vary by individual affiliate foundation
  • Other Competitive Grants: Awarded throughout the year; specific timelines depend on the fund

Success Rates

FAO does not publicly disclose application success rates or the number of applications received versus awards made. In 2024, FAO awarded over $737,000 in scholarships and has distributed more than 5,500 scholarships since the program's inception in 2004.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented on FAO's website. Applicants should inquire directly about specific fund requirements when applying or after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

Based on FAO's documented priorities and recent awards:

  1. Local Leadership and Community Roots: FAO explicitly seeks to "invest in the time, talent and vision of nonprofit and community leaders" who are "selflessly giving to fill local needs." Successful applicants demonstrate deep community connections and locally driven solutions.

  2. Alignment with Pillars of Prosperity: Projects must clearly align with one or more of FAO's five funding pillars. Recent successful grants show diversity within pillars - from STEAM kits for youth to sensory gardens to solar technology integration.

  3. Innovation and Vision: CEO Cara Dingus Brook emphasized being "incredibly grateful to the individuals and organizations that shared their visions for stewarding our natural environment in new and exciting ways," suggesting that novel approaches are valued.

  4. Regional Impact: Projects that address FAO's founding mission to overcome the region's 90% philanthropic resource gap compared to the rest of Ohio. The foundation seeks transformative work that creates lasting opportunities.

  5. Sustainability and Future Focus: The I'm a Child of Appalachia Fund's structure (50% endowment/50% immediate impact) reflects FAO's commitment to both present needs and future sustainability.

  6. Collaborative Approach: FAO's extensive public-private partnerships (MWCD, Longaberger Family Foundation, Ohio CAT, AEP) suggest they value organizations that can leverage multiple resources and partners.

  7. Demonstrated Capacity: The Growing Home Fellowship's five-year commitment requirement indicates FAO values long-term dedication and capacity to execute sustained programs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic eligibility is essential: Projects must benefit one or more of the 32 Appalachian Ohio counties FAO serves
  • County-specific opportunities exist: Check if your county has an affiliate foundation with dedicated funding (15 affiliate foundations operate locally)
  • Think long-term: FAO values enduring impact and sustained commitment to the region, not just one-time projects
  • Leverage partnerships: Many of FAO's largest grant programs involve public-private partnerships; showing collaborative funding can strengthen applications
  • Contact before applying: FAO encourages pre-application conversations at 740-753-1111 or info@ffao.org - use this to test project fit
  • Multiple funding streams: Browse all grant opportunities at appalachianohio.org/opportunities/grants/grant-opportunities and filter by your county and focus area
  • Time applications strategically: Different funds have different cycles - some annual deadlines, others rolling - check specific fund guidelines

References

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