Tag Archives: Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

News, Sports

Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund Tops $1 Million

Presented By McDonald’s

(Nelsonville)- A Heisman Trophy acceptance speech that launched a movement to fight hunger in Southeast Ohio has become the mission of dedicated Cincinnati Bengals fans. Donations of all sizes from the Who Dey Nation have grown the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund to $1.3 million.

Fans have been creative and consistent in their contributions, often giving in the amounts of $9 for Burrow’s jersey number or $31 for the number of years it has been since the Bengals won a playoff game, a streak that Burrow and his teammates successfully ended with the current NFL football season.

It is thanks to these types of donations that the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund has grown to what it is today. Thousands of small gifts were matched by the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, creating an endowment that will provide more than $50,000 annually for the fight against hunger in Southeast Ohio.

“The Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund didn’t get to $1.3 million because a few donors gave staggering amounts,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO President and CEO. “We got here thanks to thousands of caring individuals giving what they can. The impact the Cincinnati Bengals community has made on hunger in Southeast Ohio humbles us. We’re grateful and inspired by the Who Dey Nation’s continued support. They are changing lives.”

In 2022, the Who Dey Nation will see the impact of their gifts reach even further to solve the root causes of hunger. The Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund is partnering with FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund to award hunger relief grants to other nonprofit organizations addressing the contributing factors of hunger in southeast Ohio.

The Athens County Food Pantry established and advises the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund. “We have long recognized that Joe’s remarks went beyond the issue of hunger,” said Athens County Food Pantry President Karin Bright.  “In addition to addressing food insecurity, we will be using the funds to support projects that address the root causes of challenges of hunger, such as unemployment and underemployment, job training, education, a lack of transportation and other barriers.”

To make a gift to the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund, visit www.JoeBurrowFund.org, or mail donations to: the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund, c/o FAO, 35 Public Square, Nelsonville, OH 45764.

Since 1998, FAO has been working with donors who are passionate about Appalachian Ohio, its communities, and its future. The organization helps donors give back in ways that are meaningful – to them and to our region.

To learn more about the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and opportunities to give, grow and create, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org, contact info@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111.

News

Landrum Endowment Fund Applications Open In January

Presented By Atomic Speedway & Chillicothe VAMC

(Chillicothe) – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and the Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities are offering a grant opportunity to support projects that will improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities in Ross County. Applications will open Monday, January 3, 2022, and are due by Monday, January 31, 2022.

The Landrum Endowment Fund’s annual grant round is open to nonprofit and public organizations whose projects are directly tied to the Fund’s mission. Organizations based outside of Ross County are welcome to apply, although grant proposals must focus on Ross County residents.

Project should focus on the areas of advocacy, community inclusion, community employment, or parent/family support for individuals with development disabilities.

In 2021, more than $40,000 was awarded to six Ross County projects:

  • Camp Cattail Inc.: increased the accessibility and overall experience of its day camp programs. The camp made restrooms more accessible and created programming to engage children and adults in activities such as walking and fishing.   
  • Easterseals Central and Southeast Ohio provided new handicap accessible doors for its entrance.
  • The Mighty Children’s Museum created instructional videos, offering educators and parents the tools to tailor the use of museum resources for students in grades K-12.
  • Ohio University Student Success Center in Chillicothe supported college-bound students with remote tutoring programs.
  • Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center Driving for Success projectselected young people with disabilities to utilize the center’s driving simulator in preparation for driving school.
  • The Ross County Park District increased the accessibility of outdoor experiences and its nature conservation with ADA-compliant sidewalks and a shelter house.

The Landrum Endowment Fund was created in 2016 when George Landrum, a lifelong resident of Ross County, left an endowment of $1.2 million to the Ross County Board of Developmental Disabilities, also known as the Pioneer Center. George’s brother, John Landrum, received more than 30 years of service from the Pioneer Center.

Applications for the Fund’s grant round are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/Landrum, and will be accepted from Monday, January 3, 2022, through Monday, January 31, 2022.

For more information about the Landrum Endowment Fund and its upcoming grant round, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Landrum or contact the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio at 740.753.1111 or info@ffao.org.

News

Ohio Code Scholar Program receives $30,000 from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

(Nelsonville) – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund has awarded $30,000 to a pilot program that will provide computer programming and coding skills to students.

By providing this training, the Ohio Code Scholar Program aims to prepare Appalachian Ohio middle and high school students for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers. Funding from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) will support curriculum and program-related training materials.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to help our youth access coding and STEM careers,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO President and CEO. “We’re able to provide this grant thanks to the generosity of many donors to the Foundation’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund. It’s a true community effort.”

Education is a focus area for FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund, making up one of five Pillars of Prosperity essential to the quality of life in Appalachia Ohio. The other Pillars are Arts & Culture, Community & Economic Development, Environmental Stewardship, and Health & Human Services.

The coalition designing the Ohio Code Scholar Program consists of local high schools, career technical schools, local Education Service Centers, business leaders, and state officials. Southern State Community College (SSCC) in Highland County is providing support and acting as the fiscal agent.

In describing the need for the program, Dr. Shane Shope, program coordinator working with SSCC, wrote, “Ohio needs more resources to prepare college and career-ready high school graduates in the STEM area. It is estimated that more than 1.3 million jobs will be in the computer and math-related fields by 2022.”

Shope cited the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, noting there are multiple STEM jobs with good to excellent outlooks through 2029, but those positions will require coding skills. “Ohio could be in a position to become a national leader in how to impart programming and coding skills to middle and high school students,” he noted, adding that the pilot program will prepare Appalachian Ohio students for college and career demands.

State Rep. Shane Wilkin (R-Hillsboro), who supported funding for the program in the state budget, said the program is starting small so as to capitalize on the success of different districts, career-tech centers, and post-secondary school opportunities students currently have in grades seven through 10. Wilkin believes the program will serve as a template for success in other Appalachian communities as well.

News

Grants Available For African American Communities

Presented By Classic Brands

(Nelsonville) — The African American Community Fund (AACF), inpartnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), invites nonprofit and public organizations seeking funding for a project or program serving African American communities throughout Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties to apply for a grant beginning Sept. 7.

AACF and FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund will award up to $10,000 in grants to projects or programs benefitting African American communities throughout Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties. Projects should increase quality of life, create access to opportunities, or implement a solution to a need. For additional information and applications, go to www.AppalachianOhio.org/AACF. The deadline for applications is Oct. 12.  

“The AACF is a powerful tool that will not only improve the human condition in the Appalachian regions of Ohio but leave a lasting legacy that will benefit generations to come,” Dr. Michele Reynolds said on behalf of AACF.

Together, the AACF and the I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund are working to meet pressing needs and pursue exciting opportunities for Black-led nonprofits and organizations serving African American communities in Appalachian Ohio. The Funds work across five areas essential to generating and sustaining transformative change, known as the Pillars of Prosperity: Arts & Culture, Community & Economic Development, Education, Environmental Stewardship, and Health & Human Services.

In 2020, the AACF and FAO provided six grants totaling $10,000, including a grant to the Underground Railroad Museum in Belmont County to conduct research and create a virtual map of the Underground Railroad stations in Belmont County. This virtual platform allows the museum to reach patrons who cannot attend in-person tours.

“The Ohio Valley area was very active in the Underground Railroad during the 19th century, having been home to many Quaker settlers who were passionate abolitionists,” said Reynolds. “The Underground Railroad Museum is an example of a worthy organization supported by the AACF to help preserve the rich history of the Underground Railroad in Ohio for future generations.” The AACF and FAO are pleased to offer funding opportunities for African American communities again this year.

The African American Community Fund is a community fund of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. If you are interested in learning more or making a gift to support the African American Community Fund, please visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/AACF or contact FAO at 740.753.1111 or info@ffao.org.