Bridge the Gap Fund supports our neighbors in crisis

Mary Reed • September 26, 2025

When systems fall short, this fund steps in.

Elizabeth (not her real name) is a single mom in Athens County who was couch surfing with her son for more than eight months. Unable to come up with nearly $2,000 for a first month’s rent and deposit for her own place, she reached out to a local social service agency for help. That agency was able to access money for these costs from the Bridge the Gap Fund, a flexible emergency fund held by the Athens County Foundation that helps cover basic needs not otherwise supported by existing funding sources.


“The help I received literally put a roof over our heads,” Elizabeth says. The assistance she received is a grant, ensuring that she will not have the additional worry about paying the money back.


“This exemplifies the reason Bridge the Gap Fund was created,” says Kerry Pigman, executive director of the Athens County Foundation, which houses the fund. “Sometimes our neighbors face a crisis situation, and existing programs can’t quickly fill the gap. Bridge the Gap does literally just that – it bridges a financial gap that can be the difference between stability and crisis.”


Since its inception in May, the fund has given nearly $25,000 to 19 individuals or families. This quick, responsive infusion of funds has:

  • Kept the utilities on
  • Gotten people into stable housing by paying a security deposit or rent
  • Made a car payment so someone could get to their new job
Give to the Bridge the Gap Fund

ACF does not distribute the funds directly; the foundation works with local service providers who know our community, understand the systems in place, and can ensure help goes where it’s truly needed. These partners guide individuals to every available resource – and when nothing else can meet the need, Bridge the Gap steps in.

“Life can be hard, and sometimes we all need a little help to get where we’re going. Fortunately, we live in a place where people want to lend a hand and lift each other up.”

— Founding donors, Bridge the Gap Fund

We see the strengths of Athens County. One of those strengths is that we show up for each other. Through Bridge the Gap, your generosity becomes part of a trust-based, community-based safety net. Let’s make sure everyone in Athens County has what they need – not just to survive, but to move forward with dignity.


PS - If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out to one the many governmental and nonprofit organizations in our community that can help. They will be able to provide guidance on resources available, including Bridge the Gap Fund.

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Leadership Athens County Celebrates 20 Years of Community Leadership and Connection

By Dani Esperanza • May 26, 2026
On Thursday, May 21, community members gathered at the Athens Armory to celebrate the graduates of the 2026 Leadership Athens County Flagship and Youth cohorts, honor 20 years of Leadership Athens County, and officially launch the Leadership Athens County Alumni Association. Hosted by the Athens County Foundation, the evening reflected the program’s long-standing commitment to cultivating local leadership rooted in connection, collaboration, and service. Over the past two decades, Leadership Athens County has brought together emerging and established leaders from across the region to deepen their understanding of Athens County, strengthen relationships, and develop the skills needed to create meaningful community impact. In her opening remarks, Athens County Foundation Executive Director Kerry Pigman reflected on the program’s origins and enduring purpose. “Leadership Athens County exists because people chose to invest in each other and in this community,” Pigman shared. “Tonight may represent the end of your program, but it is also an invitation. An invitation to stay engaged.” Throughout the evening, speakers returned to a common theme: leadership in Athens County is built through relationships, trust, and a shared commitment to community. Communications and Engagement Manager Emily Prince, a member of the very first Leadership Athens County cohort in 2006, reflected on how the program shaped her own leadership journey and deepened her sense of belonging in Athens County. “Leadership Athens County helped me to find the opportunities I needed to be who I want to be,” Prince said. “I want to be a person who forges a path, clears the rocks, and levels the roots. I want the next generation’s road to be smoother than mine so that they can run farther.” Graduates from both the adult and youth cohorts shared personal introductions of one another throughout the ceremony, highlighting the relationships, growth, and mutual support developed over the year. Their reflections emphasized the diversity of leadership styles and experiences represented across Athens County, from educators, nonprofit professionals, artists, healthcare workers, and advocates to students already stepping into leadership roles within their schools and communities. Leadership Athens County facilitator Dani Esperanza reminded attendees that the program is grounded in an asset-based approach to leadership. “The leaders we need are already here,” Esperanza said during the commencement ceremony. “We don’t need a ‘hero’ leader who will save the day and come up with all the solutions. We need to identify our individual and collective strengths, harness them to make change, and support one another throughout the process.” The event also marked the official launch of the Leadership Athens County Alumni Association, an initiative designed to strengthen connections among the program’s more than 400 alums and create opportunities for continued collaboration, mentorship, service, and learning. Speaking during closing remarks, Leadership Athens County alumna Mallory Swaim reflected on the importance of sustaining those connections long after graduation. “The greatest strength of Athens County has never been a building, an institution, or a single organization,” Swaim said. “It has always been the people. The people are willing to invest in one another. The people willing to stay engaged.” The evening also included fundraising efforts to support the Leadership Athens County Fund, which is helping to seed an endowment dedicated to supporting Leadership Athens County Youth in perpetuity and to ensuring that future young leaders can participate fully regardless of financial barriers. As the evening concluded, graduates, alums, families, and community partners celebrated not only the accomplishments of the 2026 cohorts but also the growing network of leaders who continue to shape the future of Athens County together. Nomination forms are open for both the Flagship and Youth Programs: