Best Highland County Grants for Nonprofits in Ohio

The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative aims to revitalize communities impacted by coal industry transitions. This initiative provides funding for projects that diversify local economies, enhance job training, and create new employment opportunities. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, the POWER Initiative supports strategic investments that align with regional economic development plans, ensuring a more resilient future for coal-affected areas.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

The Highland County Community Foundation Grant, managed by the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, aims to enhance the quality of life in Highland County through a permanent endowment fund. Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 support projects in five key areas: arts and culture, community development, education, environmental stewardship, and health services. This initiative focuses on empowering individuals and organizations that address community needs and foster sustainable growth in Highland County.

The African American Community Fund Grant, established by Ernest E. and Ernest A. Bynum, aims to support African American communities in Appalachian Ohio. This fund addresses disparities and enhances the quality of life through initiatives in arts, education, economic development, and health services. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, focusing on projects led by Black organizations across 32 counties. This initiative strengthens both the African American population and the broader community.

The CALT Experiences Grants, provided by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, support public projects in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia that celebrate traditional arts and cultural knowledge. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations and individual artists from Appalachian Regional Commission-designated areas. Funded activities may encompass workshops, public art, performances, and exhibitions. This initiative fosters community engagement and enhances appreciation of living traditions while promoting artistic skills and cultural heritage.

Environmental Stewardship: Innovation Grants

FAO, through its Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund, offers funding opportunities to advance conservation, environmental stewardship and the greater well-being of Appalachian Ohio.

Innovation grants invest in new and creative solutions that result in environmental good while encouraging environmental stewardship. Possibilities include areas such as upcycling materials or developing approaches to harmonize energy, economics, environment and health. FAO will also consider strategic initiatives and planning for communities leveraging larger funds. Innovation grants can support pilot projects that increase the region’s capacity to improve air quality; water quality; green energy generation, storage and adoption; and diesel emission reduction. At least $20,000 is available to support innovation grants.

Funding Areas

Foster greater community involvement (schools, nonprofits, businesses, etc.) in sustainable initiatives and projects with high impact across multiple sectors, including energy, economics, environment and health.

Support innovative projects that focus on developing new or improving upon existing methods for reducing and redesigning materials, driving forward-thinking solutions that benefit communities and the environment.

Strengthen the ability of local organizations to secure substantial funding from state, federal and national programs. Increasing access to these resources will amplify the impact of projects focused on large-scale and innovative approaches to cleaner air, cleaner water, green energy adoption and diesel emission reduction.

The Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant Program, administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, provides a 50/50 cost-share opportunity aimed at enhancing rural fire departments. Eligible departments can secure funding for essential wildland fire equipment, personal protective gear, and communication devices. Grants are capped at $10,000, promoting community collaboration while ensuring departments meet specific eligibility requirements. This initiative supports the vital role of fire services in protecting Ohio's communities and natural resources.

Environmental Stewardship: Research Grants

FAO, through its Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund, offers funding opportunities to advance conservation, environmental stewardship and the greater well-being of Appalachian Ohio.

FAO welcomes proposals for projects that result in scalable change, with a priority for projects that will impact multiple counties. FAO will consider funding requests between $5,000 and $50,000 per project, and at least $150,000 is available to award. We encourage applicants to propose research with the potential to significantly impact the understanding of aquatic biodiversity, water quality and threats to healthy habitats. The following examples illustrate eligible projects, but proposals are not limited to the listed areas.

• Flood resilience
• Watershed monitoring, analysis and management applications
• Application of innovative technologies and methodologies
• Collaborative research partnerships across disciplines and sectors
• Ecosystem services

The Public Health Fund of Ohio is offering grants of up to $25,000 per year over two years to support initiatives that promote healthy eating and active living in rural and Appalachian counties. With a total funding of up to $250,000, the program aims to address chronic disease through partnerships that encourage healthier lifestyles and tackle health disparities. This initiative is a vital step towards improving community health outcomes.

Environmental Stewardship: Fellowships

FAO, through its Environmental Stewardship Pillar of Prosperity Fund, offers funding opportunities to advance conservation, environmental stewardship and the greater well-being of Appalachian Ohio.

Fellowships provide two years of support for individuals who pioneer positive change through projects that address environmental challenges and promote biodiversity conservation. Fellows are supported as they engage communities in educational initiatives related to sustainability and environmental stewardship. We seek to invest in fellows who will pilot new methodologies, develop scalable solutions and ultimately shift existing patterns in environmental stewardship. Up to $20,000 is available to support environmental stewardship fellowships over a two-year period. 

The Central Appalachia Living Traditions grants from the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation support community projects in designated Appalachian counties. With funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, these grants aim to enhance public understanding and appreciation of folk and traditional arts. Ideal projects include workshops, public art, performances, and educational initiatives that foster multi-generational participation, particularly in under-resourced communities. Applications should focus on new or expanded programming that diversifies cultural activities.

The PLTW Gateway program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by supporting schools in eligible counties to implement PLTW Gateway units. With a total grant of $20,000, schools are encouraged to offer at least one unit per academic year, fostering real-world skills and engagement in STEM fields. This initiative seeks to increase access and participation in high-quality STEM learning experiences, ultimately preparing students for future careers.

The PLTW Gateway program, in collaboration with Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by expanding access to Project Lead The Way initiatives in eligible communities. By providing grants for program expansion, the initiative encourages schools to implement new PLTW units and train teachers, empowering students with essential skills for future careers. This partnership seeks to inspire a new generation of learners through hands-on, real-world challenges, thereby fostering greater participation in STEM fields across various regions.

Burns and McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned firm, partners with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to enhance access to STEM education. By expanding PLTW Computer Science programs in local schools, they aim to engage students in real-world challenges and equip them with essential skills. Eligible schools must be located in specific counties and serve a majority of students from low-income backgrounds. This initiative supports the growth of STEM education, fostering a brighter future for communities through enhanced learning opportunities.

The PLTW Computer Science program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education in various communities by funding schools to implement PLTW courses. This partnership promotes student engagement with real-world challenges, preparing them for future careers in technology. With a total grant of $20,000, schools must offer multiple PLTW courses over two years, ensuring access to quality education for underserved populations.

DOH 59808- Rural Health Transformation Program- Healthier Ohio Initiatives - Preventing and Addressing Chronic Disease- Track One

Project Background:

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71403 of Public Law 119-21) and empowers state to strengthen rural communities by improving healthcare access, quality and outcomes by transforming the current system. Five key strategic goals of the program, as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) are:

• Make Rural America Healthy Again
• Sustainable access
• Workforce development
• Innovative Care
• Technology Innovation

Ohio’s plan aligns with federal priorities to improve the health of rural residents by building an innovative movement to bridge medicine and preventive behaviors into a holistic and collective impact approach to improve chronic disease outcomes. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is designed to strengthen preventive and clinical care for improved blood glucose and hypertension indicators across Ohio’s 73 non-urban counties (See Appendix B. Applicants could be but not limited to the following:

• State-level associations that support implementation in multiple clinics, health centers, and/or hospitals.
• Regional collaboratives or health system with multiple locations.
• Individual hospitals, health centers and clinics

Project Objective:

Based upon data analysis from Ohio’s State Health Assessment, including a supplemental deep dive into Appalachian health, 2025 Summary Assessment of Older Ohioans, the Ohio Chronic Disease Atlas 2025, and other publicly available data, Ohio seeks to reduce the prevalence and mortality rates associated with chronic disease. The collective aim of the strategies is:

to reduce hemoglobin A1C for patients diagnosed with prediabetes and diabetes by 10% and

to manage blood pressure at clinically appropriate levels for patients diagnosed with hypertension.

The PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by providing grants to public and charter schools in specific counties. This initiative empowers students to engage with real-world challenges through hands-on learning experiences. Eligible schools must offer PLTW Engineering courses, ensuring access to quality education for students from diverse backgrounds. With a total grant of $40,000 over two years, this program seeks to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.

The PLTW Engineering Program Expansion by Burns and McDonnell aims to enhance STEM education in eligible communities. This initiative supports schools in expanding their existing PLTW Engineering programs, providing students with hands-on experiences and essential skills. The program focuses on empowering students through new courses and teacher training, ensuring access for underrepresented populations. By fostering excitement around STEM, Burns and McDonnell is committed to shaping the future workforce and enhancing educational opportunities in critical areas.

The AES Ohio Foundation's Power Grants aim to create lasting community impact through innovative programs across its 24-county service area. With $822,000 allocated for 2024, these grants support initiatives addressing basic needs like food and housing, enhancing education, and fostering diversity and inclusion. The Foundation commits to at least two grants annually, prioritizing projects that demonstrate measurable outcomes. This approach aligns with their goal to uplift local communities and empower individuals to improve their lives.

The Piedmont Natural Gas Company Grant Program, part of the Duke Energy Foundation, supports community vitality through grants of $20,000 or less. Focus areas include vibrant economies, climate resiliency, and promoting opportunity and inclusion. Eligible organizations must have tax-exempt status and serve communities without discrimination. The foundation prioritizes measurable community impact and does not fund certain entities, including for-profits and religious organizations. Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis.

The Township Safety Sign Grant Program, funded by ODOT, allocates $2 million annually to enhance safety signage on Ohio's township roads. For FY 2025, $845,040.42 has been designated for 38 projects across 30 counties, supporting local townships. Eligible townships may request up to $50,000 for signs, posts, and hardware, provided they meet specific criteria related to crash rates and prior funding. This initiative aims to improve road safety significantly.

The Small City Program in Ohio allocates federal funds to small cities with populations between 5,000 and 24,999, not included in Metropolitan Planning Organizations. With an annual budget of $10.5 million, this program supports road, safety, and signal projects. The funding covers up to 80% of eligible construction costs, and a scoring system prioritizes projects based on various factors, ensuring effective use of resources and improved transportation infrastructure for eligible communities.

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, in collaboration with the Longaberger Family Foundation, is dedicated to enhancing K-12 civics education across Appalachian Ohio. Since 2019, over $95,000 has been granted to empower students through engaging civics programs. The funding is available to K-12 public schools, educators, and nonprofit organizations, focusing on projects that foster civic engagement and community involvement among students in the region's 32 counties.

The Hope For Our Future Scholarships, supported by Adena Health System, provide financial assistance to high school students in south-central Ohio pursuing careers in imaging and radiology. Candidates from nine counties, including Ross and Fayette, are eligible if they maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. The scholarships aim to promote diverse career paths in healthcare, ensuring equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, or background. This initiative reflects Adena's commitment to fostering healthcare professionals in the community.

The Hope For Our Future Scholarships, funded by Adena Health System, support high school students in their pursuit of careers in healthcare fields such as nursing and radiology. Eligible applicants must reside in the service area and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. These scholarships aim to enhance educational opportunities for students while addressing workforce needs in the healthcare sector across southern Ohio.

The PLTW Launch program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance student engagement in STEM education within eligible communities. This initiative will provide grants to schools that implement at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2025-2026 academic year, followed by another module in subsequent years. The program is designed to empower students with hands-on learning experiences that connect real-world challenges to essential skills, fostering a stronger future in STEM fields.

The Hope For Our Future Scholarships, specifically the Beth Ann Elliott Memorial Scholarship Endowment, supports nursing students in Adena Health System's service area. Eligible candidates must be high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0, pursuing nursing education. This initiative reflects the commitment of Adena Health to foster careers in healthcare, ensuring that generations can access quality education and jobs in the medical field across nine counties in Ohio.