Four local organizations receive Greenfield Foundation/Geronimo Power grants

Courtesy of Ron Coffey

The Greenfield Foundation, in cooperation with Geronimo Power, has announced $10,000 in local grants supporting food assistance, arts education, historic preservation and community events. The funding was made possible by the Fayette Solar Charitable Fund established as part of the solar project in Fayette and Highland counties.

The recipients for 2026 include the Greenfield Area Christian Center, the Greenfield Exempted Village School District, Greenfield Historical Society, and Greenfield Music Festival. Each entity serves people from Highland and Fayette counties, as well as a wider area of the region. 

“We are thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with Geronimo Power for the benefit of the community,” said Greenfield Foundation President Steve Hunter. “The foundation has been connecting people and ideas to benefit the community since 1999, and the funds from Geronimo Power will help some good things to happen in our community.”

Bailey Peterson-Webster, Senior Community Engagement Specialist with Geronimo Power, said the company's charitable fund is intended to support organizations that strengthen the communities where it operates.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is partnering with local organizations that already have a deep understanding of their communities' needs," Peterson-Webster said. 

"These grants reflect the dedication of volunteers and nonprofit leaders who are making a meaningful difference every day, and we're proud to support their efforts through our partnership with the Greenfield Foundation."

The Greenfield Area Christian Center was selected to receive $3,000 for a community food and clothing ministry. GACC President Terry Fouch noted that statistics indicate 23% of community residents live below the poverty line – significantly higher than the state average of 13%. Fouch said the funds will be used to purchase food and clothing for the GACC’s Food Pantry and Clothing Center. “Due to rising operational costs these grant funds will help us to better provide for the food and clothing needs in our community.”

Fouch expressed the organization’s thanks to Geronimo Power and the Greenfield Foundation for helping to meet a community need. A total of 36,144 meals were provided in 2025, and $9,207.20 in food vouchers were provided to families in need. “Our food expense (excluding Christmas food vouchers) totaled $17,232.97 for 2025,” he said.

The Greenfield Schools received a $3,000 grant from the Greenfield Foundation on Oct. 14.  The district intends to use the grant money to help protect and preserve the school’s historic pipe organ in the McClain High School auditorium. Pictured L-R are foundation members Ron Coffey and Steve Hunter, Greenfield Schools Treasurer Brad Barber, and foundation members Stuart McNeil, Mike Penn and Nina Pence. The foundation’s grants were made possible by a $9,500 donation from Geronimo Power.

A grant for $3,000 will go to the Greenfield Exempted Village School District, which serves approximately 1,900 students from portions of Fayette, Highland, and Ross counties. The district has a rich tradition and features a beautiful art-filled high school donated by entrepreneur and philanthropist Edward Lee McClain more than a century ago. The district intends to use the grant money for a project to protect and preserve the school’s historic pipe organ in the McClain High School auditorium.

Quincey Gray, GEVS superintendent, noted that “McClain High School has a longstanding tradition of supporting arts education and community engagement. These grant funds will not only help to preserve a meaningful piece of local history, but also provide current and future students with unique musical experiences that will enrich their education and strengthen community pride. We are honored to partner with the Greenfield Foundation and Geronimo Power on this important project.”

Carly Dohmeyer, Community Operations Specialist with Geronimo Power, said the variety of projects selected for funding demonstrates the broad impact community partnerships can have.

"Whether it's helping preserve local history, supporting educational opportunities, assisting families, or strengthening community events, each project contributes to the long-term vitality of the region," Dohmeyer said. "We're grateful to work alongside the Greenfield Foundation to help invest in initiatives that reflect local priorities."

The Greenfield Historical Society received a $2,500 grant from the Greenfield Foundation during an Oct. 14 ceremony at the Grain & Hay building. The money will be used to help preserve and enhance the historic B&O depot owned by the historical society. Pictured L-R are Judy Schmidt, Ron Coffey, Susan Thompson, Steve Hunter, Jim Thompson, Stuart McNeil, Nina Pence and Harold Schmidt. The foundation’s grants were made possible by a $9,500 donation from Geronimo Power.

The Greenfield Historical Society will receive $2,500 to help enhance and preserve the historic B&O depot owned by the society. The building houses many important pieces from the community’s past. Treasurer Judy Schmidt said “The depot holds our treasured display of ‘Greenfield Through the Years’ constructed by Tom Adams and given to the society in 2016. Guests marvel at what we have in this display and all the history in contains.”

The Greenfield Historical Society was founded in 1949 to support historical preservation and education in Greenfield and surrounding area. The society owns and maintains several properties for collecting, preserving and interpreting archival materials and artifacts indigenous to the Greenfield area. “Our society works hard to protect and catalog our historical items for future generations,” Ms. Schmidt said, “and we are grateful to the Greenfield Foundation and Geronimo Power for this funding assistance.”

The Greenfield Music Festival was awarded a $1,500 grant from the Greenfield Foundation on Oct. 14. The grant will be used to help bring entertainment to the popular festival, which attracts many visitors to Greenfield to enjoy a variety of music and benefits the local economy. Pictured L-R are David Eselgroth, Greenfield Music Festival Queen Alaina Best, Greenfield Foundation President Steve Hunter, Music Festival Treasurer Carolyn Arthurs, Stuart McNeil, Mike Penn, Nina Pence, Robert Arthurs, Andrew Surritt and John Wilson. The foundation’s grants were made possible by a $9,500 donation from Geronimo Power.

The popular Greenfield Music Festival was selected to receive $1,500 to help with its entertainment budget. The festival was born in 2023 and celebrates the rich musical legacy of the community while providing free entertainment for thousands of attendees from multiple counties during the first full weekend of June.

According to Treasurer Carolyn Arthurs, the mission of the festival is “to provide a positive, community-centered event that promotes entertainment, tourism, downtown engagement, and local economic growth while creating opportunities for families and visitors to connect.” 
The music festival has grown each year, and the free, family-friendly community event is a collaborative effort involving local businesses, volunteers, civic groups and community organizations. In addition to bringing people together, Arthurs said the festival “creates a positive economic impact by attracting visitors from outside the community who support local restaurants, shops, vendors, and businesses throughout the weekend.” 

Arthurs expressed her thanks to Geronimo Power and the Greenfield Foundation for investing in projects “that strengthen and celebrate our community.”

Peterson-Webster said community celebrations such as the Greenfield Music Festival create opportunities for residents and visitors alike to experience the community's unique character.

"Strong communities are built not only through essential services but also through opportunities that bring people together," she said. "Events like the Greenfield Music Festival celebrate local pride, encourage community connections, and support local businesses, making them an important part of a thriving community."

When the Fayette Solar project was approved by governmental and regulatory agencies, Geronimo Power committed to creating a long-term community investment through the Fayette Solar Charitable Fund. In 2023, the Greenfield Foundation was selected to administer the annual grants, and is to receive $9,500 each year for 20 years to support charitable and community organizations serving the area. Following the first full year of energy production from the Fayette Solar project, the foundation received the 2026 contribution and selected the grant recipients.

Dohmeyer said the charitable fund was designed to ensure that the benefits of the project extend beyond energy production.

"Our goal is to build lasting relationships with the communities where we operate," Dohmeyer said. "By working with trusted local partners like the Greenfield Foundation, we can help support projects that will have a positive impact for years to come."

A similar project in Ross County also has been funded by Geronimo Power. The Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation was selected to distribute donations from the Ross Solar Charitable Fund.

 “The Greenfield Foundation decided to add a bit of money from our general fund to round up the amount of the grants to $10,000,” Steve Hunter said. “This is just the beginning of our relationship and we look forward to working with Geronimo Power in the coming years for the benefit of Greenfield and area.”

The Greenfield Foundation was founded in 1999 with the idea of connecting people and ideas to benefit the community. Most of the funds received during those years have been private donations. Donations can be mailed to the Greenfield Foundation (checks made payable to the same) at P.O. Box 420, Greenfield, Ohio 45123. For more information, visit “The Greenfield Ohio Foundation” Facebook page.

During the past two decades, Geronimo Power has grown from a three-person startup into a national leader in renewable energy development. The company develops, owns and operates utility-scale wind, solar and energy storage projects across the United States while maintaining a strong commitment to the rural communities where it works.

"The company was built on a simple but powerful idea: America's energy future starts at home," Peterson-Webster said. 

"Farmer-friendly and community-focused, our roots in rural America shape how we do business—grounded in hard work, trust and respect for the land. Those values continue to guide us as we build resilient, American-made energy infrastructure that powers local prosperity and strengthens our nation's backbone."