ACF Expands Response Fund to Address Racial Equity
The COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed urgency to address long-standing challenges in Athens County, including racial equity. In response, the Athens County Foundation (ACF) Board of Directors recently approved expanding Response Fund grants in support of projects that advance and promote racial equity in Athens County.
Initially launched to meet acute needs caused by the pandemic, ACF found that a flexible funding source such as the Response Fund can be deployed to meet other needs as well. “The Response Fund model encouraged us to think differently about how we support organizations,” shared Kerry Pigman, Executive Director. “While the annual grant cycle model is effective to fund a broad range of organizations and projects, adding a responsive approach allows us to support emergent and specific needs as well.”
Proposals to advance and support racial equity should either address specific project needs or focus on building long-term capacity for organizations or ongoing initiatives. Applicants are encouraged to contact ACF staff about their project prior to applying.
The Athens County Foundation is committed to a healthy, inclusive community, where there are opportunities for all people and recognizes the responsibility to intentionally reach out to segments of our population that have been historically marginalized. In 2018, community members formed the Racial Equity Coalition of Athens County, a collaborative space for those working to promote and advance racial equity. This spring, ACF brought the Art of Hosting training with a racial equity lens to Athens County to introduce members of our community to Art of Hosting techniques, while also aiming to advance ongoing racial equity conversations into actionable ideas. Expanding the Response Fund to include racial equity work provides funding support for ideas and projects that are emerging in the community, and to ones that have been historically overlooked.
Through the combined efforts of ACF, the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville, Rocky Community Improvement Fund, and Sisters Health Foundation, the Response Fund will continue considering funding needs prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. Additional funds for racial equity projects are made possible with funding from the Athens County Foundation. Those who are interested in donating to support these efforts can learn more and give online at athensfoundation.org.
Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Please contact Eleni Zulia, Director of Programs and Engagement, with any questions or for more information at eleni@athensfoundtion.org or 740-594-6061.
Update: As of 2024, the Response and Resilience Fund is no longer active.
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