Highland County Community Fund announces 2025 grant recipients
The Highland County Community Fund (HCCF), with the support of its donors and in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), has awarded $12,000 during its 2025 grant cycle to advance six projects and programs benefiting the county’s residents and communities.
“These grants are a testament to the generosity of both donors and doers and their shared commitment to the people of Highland County,” said Lindsay Cloud, HCCF committee member. “Together, we are advancing a flourishing Highland County – from supporting job readiness to improving community health.”
Nonprofits, schools and public organizations serving Highland County were invited to apply for grants – made possible by gifts to HCCF’s endowment fund – to advance opportunities across five funding areas: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. Emphasis is on supporting individuals of all ages who are spearheading projects and programs that create opportunities, meet pressing needs and unleash the potential within Highland County.
The 2025 grant recipients are:
• Greenfield Area Christian Center’s New Directions Youth Ministry to support the summer 2026 Discover Inspire Grow Groups.
• Highland County Board of Developmental Disabilities to purchase a portable universal changing table for use at community events.
• Highland County Community Action Organization-Highland County OhioMeansJobs to assist Highland County residents or individuals employed in Highland County with one-time support services (e.g., appropriate work clothing/footwear, required documents) to help secure or retain employment.
• Hillsboro First Baptist Church to purchase diapers and other items for The Diaper Depot’s distributions to families in need.
• Southern Ohio Educational Service Center to fund micro-internships for Highland County high school students with Highland County businesses.
• Highland County Family YMCA to increase free and subsidized access to fitness classes, chronic disease prevention programs and other healthy living services for Highland County residents.
HCCF, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, was established in 2020 to develop and grow permanent resources that provide continuous investment in Highland County and its nonprofits, schools and communities. Each year, earnings from charitable giving to HCCF’s endowment fund are reinvested in Highland County through grants that meet the county’s greatest needs and most promising opportunities.
To learn more about HCCF and how to support its work, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Highland, email Highland@ffao.org or call (740) 753-1111.
The Highland County Community Fund was established to ensure permanent support for the communities of Highland County and all those who call Highland home. A local foundation affiliate of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, the Highland County Community Fund works to inspire philanthropy. To learn more, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/Highland.
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. In partnership with 15 affiliate foundations, FAO works to unleash the collective potential within Appalachian Ohio by encouraging and supporting philanthropy. For more information, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org and follow FAO on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.