Introducing the ACF Flexible Microgrants Program

Shayne Lopez • March 25, 2025

What began as an emergency response in 2020 has grown into something much more.

The Athens County Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the  Flexible Microgrants Program—a streamlined funding opportunity shaped by five years of listening, learning, and evolving alongside our community. Designed to be responsive and accessible, this program offers gap-filling grants of up to $3,000 per organization per year, available when and where they are needed most.


An evolution of our previous Response and Capacity Building Grants, this new iteration offers expanded flexibility to meet a wide range of organizational needs, including:

  • Bridging funding gaps left by other sources
  • Responding to unexpected opportunities or challenges
  • Covering essential operational costs such as rent, staff salaries, or wellness resources
  • Supporting projects that foster  community engagement, build  a sense of belonging, and increase visibility for  historically marginalized groups
  • And more


Aligned with our  2025–2030 Strategic Plan, the Flexible Microgrants Program reflects ACF’s deep commitment to  expanding capacity  and  enabling participation  across Athens County’s nonprofit sector.


Proposal Review Schedule

Proposals are reviewed quarterly:

  • Q2 Deadline:  June 15, 2025   Decisions by July 10
  • Q3 Deadline:  September 15, 2025   Decisions by October 10
  • Q4:  Closed — please apply through the Fall Cycle


For questions about this opportunity, please contact  Shayne Lopez  at shayne@athensfoundation.org.

Apply Now

Celebration of Community

By Emily Prince • March 26, 2026
Celebrating Civic Trust and Community Leadership in Athens County

RCIF Applications Open

By Shayne Lopez • March 19, 2026
We are pleased to announce that the Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF) Spring 2026 grant cycle is now open. Applications will be accepted until April 19, 2026. 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, the fund has partnered with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation to match charitable contributions from Rocky Brands employees.  Eligible applicants include organizations serving Nelsonville, nearby villages, and the broader counties of Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, and Washington. Funding priorities are as follows: Children’s welfare and education Hunger School programs Senior citizens Developmental disabilities Community development and infrastructure Housing initiatives Animal welfare Community beautification Environmental programs Please note that funding is limited, with a total of $50,000 available. We encourage interested organizations to apply early and reach out with any questions.

March Message to our donors

By Emily Prince • March 11, 2026
Advancing Participation in Athens County