African American Community Fund Grant

The African American Community Fund Grant, established by Ernest E. and Ernest A. Bynum, aims to support African American communities in Appalachian Ohio. This fund addresses disparities and enhances the quality of life through initiatives in arts, education, economic development, and health services. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, focusing on projects led by Black organizations across 32 counties. This initiative strengthens both the African American population and the broader community.

Father and son, Ernest E. and Ernest A. Bynum, have long been passionate about supporting African Americans and other minority communities in Appalachian Ohio. The pair co-founded the Minority Business Resource Network of Southeast Ohio to increase the diversity of the region’s business community. Now, they are continuing their advocacy with a new effort to grow resources dedicated to serving Appalachian Ohio’s African American communities, founding the African American Community Fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.As of 2017, over 86,000 African American individuals were living in communities throughout Appalachian Ohio. Appalachian Ohio’s history has been shaped in significant ways by its African American population. Among countless examples, African Americans played a critical role in making Appalachian Ohio a major hub of the Underground Railroad, and also shaped the region’s musical and cultural history, including through the development of bluegrass music.Now, the African American Community Fund has been established at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) to serve African American communities throughout Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties.The Fund will serve as a vehicle to address disparities in the African American community and help to improve the physical, economic, and structural conditions that affect quality of life. By supporting and enhancing initiatives in Appalachian Ohio’s African American communities we will strengthen not only African American populations in the region, but entire communities.
Grant Opportunities
Grants will be awarded for projects and programs advancing opportunities across five areas of need, 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 efforts that create opportunities, meet pressing needs and unleash the potential within Appalachian Ohio’s African American community.Funding requests should be between $500 and $5,000, but larger requests may be considered based on potential impact.

Eligibility

The African American Community Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, is accepting grant applications from Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit and public organizations across Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties.