ACF Launches Pride Fund

Shayne Lopez • April 4, 2025

Supporting LGBTQ+ organizations and initiatives through
community-guided grantmaking.

The Athens County Foundation (ACF) is proud to announce the launch of the Athens County Pride Fund, a new fund dedicated to supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community across Athens County. Lead gifts from longtime donors seeded the fund, and additional supporters are invited to contribute. The fund will provide resources to eligible nonprofit organizations and public entities committed to serving the local LGBTQ+ community through outreach, education, events, and other vital programming.


The Athens County Pride Fund reflects ACF’s deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-led change. Like other ACF-affiliated Field of Interest Funds, grantmaking will follow a participatory process, guided by an advisory committee composed of diverse community members with lived experience and close connection to the issues.


“This is an important moment for Athens County,” said Kerry Pigman, Executive Director. “The Pride Fund connects passion with purpose—and powers a sense of belonging that strengthens our entire community. This fund is more than a grantmaking tool—it’s a way for community members to show their commitment to an Athens County where every person feels seen, valued, and empowered. We hope that it inspires a continued, collective commitment to kindness, inclusivity, and support.”


The Pride Fund joins ACF’s growing portfolio of Field of Interest Funds that prioritize participatory grantmaking and community engagement. With this launch, ACF continues its mission to build on the strengths of Athens County and invest in solutions that reflect the voices and values of the community.

Donate

Join the Pride Fund Advisory Committee


As the Pride Fund begins its work, the Athens County Foundation is seeking community members interested in serving on the fund’s Advisory Committee. This group will play a central role in shaping the fund’s priorities and guiding grantmaking decisions to ensure they reflect the real needs, voices, and experiences of LGBTQ+ community in Athens County.


ACF is committed to building a diverse and inclusive committee that represents the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, including students, allies, advocates, and residents from across the county. No prior grantmaking experience is necessary, just a passion for equity, inclusion, and collaboration.


If you are interested in learning more or being considered for the Advisory Committee, please email Shayne Lopez at shayne@athensfoundation.org or call 740-594-6061.

Stacy Strauss is ACF's new Director of Finance and Administration

By Emily Prince • September 1, 2026
Please join us in welcoming our new Director of Finance and Administration, Stacy Strauss. Stacy looks forward to using her skills to strengthen our community! She brings energy, creativity, and a thoughtful approach to her work, along with a genuine ability to bring people together around shared goals. Her experience spans financial management, fundraising and grant writing, program development, business strategy, and developing materials that tell a clear, compelling story.  Just as importantly, she enjoys helping others grow. She has experience leading and training teams, building collaborative cultures, developing recruitment strategies, and finding practical, creative solutions to complicated challenges. Whether working with colleagues, community partners, or other stakeholders, she builds relationships rooted in trust, communication, and a shared commitment to advancing good ideas.

Fall Grant Applications Open

By Shayne Lopez • August 28, 2026
Athens County's greatest asset is its people. Every day, neighbors, organizations, and local leaders bring skill, creativity, and deep knowledge of this place to the work of building a stronger community. Our grantmaking invests in those strengths, because the best solutions are already growing here, led by the people who call Athens County home. Our grantmaking builds on the strengths already here by investing in the initiatives, people and organizations, relationships, skills, and ideas working to address longstanding challenges and pursue extraordinary opportunities. 

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