Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) is a 501(c)(3) regional community foundation established in 1998 and headquartered in Nelsonville, Ohio. As a philanthropic organization, FAO serves as a catalyst for charitable giving across Appalachian Ohio's 32 counties. The foundation operates alongside 15 affiliate foundations, including geographic community foundations and the African American Community Fund, to expand philanthropic resources and local giving capacity throughout the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$128.1M
+21.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
-45.1% YoY
Grant Count
68
-36.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
-13.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
FAO's mission is to create opportunities for Appalachian Ohio's citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. The organization's tagline reflects its core approach: "Give. Grow. Create."
The foundation maximizes its impact by investing in local solutions, supporting transformative leaders, and advancing approaches that are collaborative, holistic, evidence-based, and sustainable. FAO's investments focus on five primary areas, known as the Pillars of Prosperity:
- Arts and culture
- Community and economic development
- Education
- Environmental stewardship
- Health and human services
A key driver of FAO's work addresses a critical regional gap: Appalachian Ohio has access to 90% less philanthropic resources than the rest of the state. This disparity affects scholarship availability for young people, grant opportunities for nonprofits, and communities' ability to plan and advance new initiatives.
Grantmaking
FAO administers multiple grantmaking programs:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
FAO serves all 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio through its network of affiliate foundations:
- African American Community Fund
- Gallia County 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
- Community Foundation for Perry County
- Vinton County Community Fund
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 (Most Recent)
- Total revenues: $26,141,317
- Total expenses: $11,501,492
- Total assets: $128,064,929
- Employees: 27
2023
- Total revenues: $29,031,055
- Total expenses: $13,767,751
- Total assets: $105,544,952
- Employees: 24
Overall Profile
- Annual revenue: $24.5M
- Employees: 22 (with 2.8% year-over-year growth)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $128,064,929 | $105,544,952 | $81,090,516 |
| Revenue | $26,141,317 | $29,031,055 | $22,438,784 |
| Expenses | $11,501,492 | $13,767,751 | $5,525,145 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,177,100 | $1,013,686 | $1,497,522 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
24 open opportunities from Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
African American Community Fund Grant
FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Association of Ohio Commodores Foundation Fund Grants
FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
COAD Appalachian Development Fund Grants
FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Focusing Philanthropy ($319,244), Havar Inc ($250,000), Community Foundation of Western North Carolin ($170,012).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABLE ACADEMY NAPLES, FL | TO PROVIDE TUITION SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS | $9,000 |
| ADAMS COUNTY 4-H ADVISORY COMMITTEE WEST UNION, OH | TO SUPPORT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR CHILDREN | $6,343 |
| ADAMS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY PEEBLES, OH | TO SUPPORT BROADBAND EQUITY | $21,672 |
| ADAMS COUNTY TRAVEL AND VISITORS BUREAU WEST UNION, OH | TO SUPPORT THE NEW WELCOME CENTER | $25,000 |
| ADAMS COUNTYOHIO VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT WEST UNION, OH | FAMILY STEM NIGHT AT WEST UNION ELEMENTARY | $15,000 |
| ALEXANDER INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PROJECT ALBANY, OH | TO SUPPORT SOLAR SHADE STRUCTURE FOR ALEXANDER | $11,000 |
| APPALACHIA OHIO ALLIANCE LOGAN, OH | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF AOA | $10,622 |
| ATHENS CO PUBLIC LIBRARY NELSONVILLE, OH | TO PROVIDE TUITION SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS | $10,881 |
| ATHENS COUNTY FOOD PANTRY ATHENS, OH | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE PANTRY | $62,087 |
| ATHENS PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT ATHENS, OH | TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF APP | $18,191 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Cara Dingus Brook: President and CEO
- Megan Wanczyk: Chief Impact Officer
- Ron Strickmaker: Chairperson
- Holly Shelton: Chief of Staff
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD STRICKMAKER | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| TJ CONGER | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| JEFFREY CHADDOCK | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| NANCY LAHMERS | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER MOONEY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| NANCY LUSK ZIMPHER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| SARAH WILLS | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| KRISTI TANNER | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| KEN TAYLOR | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| TERA COLEMAN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| TERI GEIGER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MEGAN KVAMME | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MARC REITTER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| TOM W JOHNSON | EMERITUS/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| RON CREMEANS | EMERITUS/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ROBERT MICK MCLAUGHLIN | EMERITUS/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| HOLLY SHELTON | VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $163,245 |
| CARA BROOK | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $250,000 |
| JO ELLEN DIEHL YEARY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2026**: FAO opened scholarship applications for 2026 and announced grant funding availability to strengthen K-12 civics education in Appalachian Ohio.
Foundation for Appalachian Ohio accepting applications for 2026 Donald R.**2025**: Multiple affiliate foundation partners announced 2025 grant recipients.
Foundation for Appalachian Ohio opens fifth round of civics education grants**2024**: The foundation awarded 664 scholarships and continued expanding community fund initiatives across the region.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Foundation for Appalachian Ohio fund?
FAO's mission is to create opportunities for Appalachian Ohio's citizens and communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy. The organization's tagline reflects its core approach: "Give. Grow. Create." The foundation maximizes its impact by investing in local solutions, supporting transformative leaders, and advancing approaches that are collaborative, holistic, evidence-based, and sustainable. FAO's investments focus on five primary areas, known as the Pillars of Prosperity: • Arts and c…
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Appalachian Ohio?
FAO administers multiple grantmaking programs: **Scholarships**: The foundation awarded 664 scholarships in 2024 and 381 scholarships in 2023. These scholarships are funded through donor-created memorial and educational funds and aim to inspire Appalachian Ohio students to pursue post-secondary education while reducing financial barriers. **Community Grants**: FAO partners with communities to build locally-focused endowment and resources. Community funds, led by local volunteers, create grantma…
Where does Foundation for Appalachian Ohio make grants?
FAO serves all 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio through its network of affiliate foundations: • African American Community Fund • Gallia County 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 Count…
What size grants does Foundation for Appalachian Ohio award?
In 2024, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio awarded 68 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $30K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's EIN?
Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1620483. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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