Staff report

NELSONVILLE — The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), in partnership with the Longaberger Family Foundation, is accepting grant applications to support K-12 civics education programming throughout the region.

Public schools, educators, students and public and nonprofit organizations serving K-12 students across Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties are eligible to apply. Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties are included in the region.

Applications opened Feb. 1 and are due by March 14.

Funding is available for projects and programs that advance civics education opportunities for K-12 public school students, to equip Appalachian Ohio’s youth with the knowledge and tools to be future leaders for their communities.

Grant requests should be between $500 and $5,000, but awards up to $10,000 will be considered based on potential impact. At least $30,000 in funding is available for this application cycle.

“We are committed to ensuring the children of Appalachian Ohio have the educational opportunities essential to their futures and the future of our communities, state and nation,” said Matt Kaido, Longaberger Family Foundation representative. “These grants will allow K-12 students to experience what it means to be engaged in their communities – opportunities that too often go unfunded.”

“Research shows that civic engagement has both economic and health benefits for communities,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “By encouraging our youth to become more civically involved, we are helping to support overall well-being throughout Appalachian Ohio. We are grateful for the Longaberger Family Foundation’s continued partnership.”

Since 2019, FAO and the Longaberger Family Foundation have awarded more than $95,000 in civics education grants through the Strengthening Civics Education in Appalachian Ohio program. This initiative is part of FAO’s Education Pillar of Prosperity, one of five areas essential to growing and sustaining a flourishing Appalachian Ohio.

FAO is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 14 geographic affiliate foundations and the regionwide African American Community Fund, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy.

Additional information and the application are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/civics. Applications must be submitted online through FAO’s grant portal.