investing in Athens County

Grantmaking

At the Athens County Foundation, we see grantmaking as more than just funding—it’s a partnership between our foundation and the community-led organizations working to create lasting impact. Through a trust-based approach, we invest in the people and initiatives driving change, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to succeed.


We believe that those closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions. That’s why our grantmaking prioritizes collaboration, equity, and shared leadership, ensuring that funding decisions are informed by the voices and expertise of the community. 

Funding Opportunities

Civic Experiment Grants

ACF has partnered with Trust for Civic Life to support Civic Experiment projects in Athens County. This opportunity aims to foster strong civic ecosystems and create a local network of support.


About Civic Experiment Grants

Civic Experiments are local groups or projects introducing new, sometimes unexpected or informal, civic opportunities in our communities. Civic Experiment grants are small, 1 year programmatic grants.


Letters of Interests will be accepted Jan. 2-30, 2026 to the Athens County Foundation


The one-page letter of interest (LOI) must contain the following information:

  • A brief description of your organization
  • The problem or need you seek to address
  • Your proposed solution, including an overview, methodology, goals, and timeline
  • Your organization’s strengths, experience, or demonstrated impact that position you for success
  • Any additional information you would like us to consider

LOIs may be entered directly or uploaded into the form linked below.

SUBMIT LOI

ACF Flexible Grants Program

The ACF Flexible Microgrants Program provides gap-filling support for organizations serving Athens County of up to $3,000 per organization per year. These grants offer the flexibility to direct funds where they are needed most:

  • bridging gaps left by other funding sources
  • responding to unexpected challenges or opportunities
  • covering essential expenses such as operational costs, rent, staff wellness, capacity-building, and staff salaries
  • supporting initiatives that foster community engagement, promote a sense of belonging, or increase visibility for historically marginalized groups

Applications are reviewed quarterly.

ACF Fall Grant Cycle

The Athens County Foundation's annual fall grant cycle empowers local organizations to address critical needs and opportunities across the county.


This opportunity accepts a wide array of requests that align with ACF's vision, mission, values, and strategies, such as initiatives that...

  1. ENABLE PARTICIPATION so that everyone in the county can participate in the decisions, policies, and systems that affect their lives. 
  2. ENGAGE CONTRIBUTORS so that resources and strengths can be invested in building the county’s strengths.
  3. ELEVATE LEADERS so that individuals at all levels are encouraged and equipped to work on behalf of and in partnership with the county and its communities.
  4. EXPAND CAPACITY so that the county’s organizations thrive in the delivery of their missions and form a more connected and productive network. 
  5. ENRICH INITIATIVES so that impact-focused projects and programs are supported and bolstered, with a primary focus on collaborations addressing long-standing challenges.

Organizations whose work aligns with the Women’s Fund, Racial Equity Fund, Pride Fund, Trails Fund, or Jaycees Senior Fund are encouraged to apply through this opportunity.

Rocky Community Improvement Fund

The Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF) supports communities where Rocky Brands employees live and work, directing funding to projects in Nelsonville, Buchtel, Haydenville, Trimble, Murray City, Glouster, Carbon Hill, and surrounding areas. Since 2013, RCIF has partnered with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation to match charitable contributions from Rocky Brands employees.


Open to eligible organizations in Nelsonville, nearby villages, and the broader counties of Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, and Washington, RCIF prioritizes projects in this order: children’s welfare and education, hunger, school programs, senior citizens, developmental disabilities, community development and infrastructure, housing initiatives, animal welfare, community beautification, and environmental programs. 


Applications are accepted twice a year in the Spring and Fall cycles.

Learn More About RCIF

If you're unsure whether your charitable initiative is a fit for these opportunities, just reach out—we're happy to help.
Please contact us using the form below.

Explore Grant Opportunities

Grantmaking Process

Timeline with colored circles marking steps: open call, due diligence, selection, decision, and reporting.

2026 Competitive Grants Program Calendar

Application Opens Application Due Results
Civic Experiment Grants Jan 2 Jan 30 Apr
RCIF Spring Cycle Feb Apr Jun
ACF Fall Cycle Aug Sept 25 3rd week of December
RCIF Fall Cycle Aug Sept 25 3rd week of December

Participatory Grantmaking Initiatives

At ACF, we believe that the people closest to the issues are also closest to the solutions.  That’s why, through select Field of Interest Funds, we champion participatory grantmaking—an approach that empowers community members to help shape how resources are directed to meet local needs.

View of a college campus with red brick buildings and green trees. Athens County, OH

Housing Security Fund

The Athens County Housing Security Fund supports housing initiatives and projects in Athens County that address both long-term, sustainable solutions and immediate gaps and opportunities.


How to access this fund:

There is no open application process at this time. If you have an idea you'd like to share, we encourage you to connect with ACF staff directly.
Person wearing a black hoodie with
Hands of diverse people stacked together in a show of unity and teamwork.

Racial Equity Fund

The Racial Equity Fund of the Athens County Foundation is a vehicle for supporting anti-racism and racial equity in Athens County. This fund supports anti-racist educational projects and community programs, as well as builds capacity and opportunities for People of the Global Majority* in Athens County.


How to access this fund:

Apply through ACF's flexible microgrants or regular Fall Cycle.
Group of women on a staircase, smiling and looking at the camera. Warm colors, many expressions.

Women's Fund

The mission of the Women’s Fund of The Athens County Foundation is to promote philanthropy among women and to establish a permanent fund that will provide funding to programs and projects in Athens County which empower women to achieve their full potential.


How to access this fund:

Apply through ACF's flexible microgrants or regular Fall Cycle.

*People of the Global Majority refers to Black, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, Indigenous, and other non-white populations who make up the majority of the global population. Source

Connect


Shayne Lopez
Program Director,
Grantmaking and Community Impact



Schedule a Conversation

Grants