Building community, co-creating solutions

2025 Civic Hub grantee

Athens County Foundation (ACF) invests in the people and places of Athens County, Ohio, a rural Appalachian community with deep strengths and persistent inequities. For nearly 45 years, ACF has strengthened nonprofits, advanced leadership, and mobilized resources to build a more just and thriving community. Its 5Es framework—Enable Participation, Engage Contributors, Elevate Leaders, Expand Capacity, and Enrich Initiatives—guides investments that pair data with lived experience, convene cross-sector conversations, and connect efforts across the county.

Despite a strong nonprofit and public investment infrastructure, many residents face barriers like low incomes, housing insecurity, and limited access to opportunity. ACF’s vision is that everyone in Athens County is engaged and working together for a healthy, inclusive, thriving community. Since 1980, ACF has partnered with community members to leverage philanthropy and support solutions driven by those closest to the challenges.

“Trust funding will help us harness the creativity and knowledge of our community to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. We’re excited to show how co-creation can make a real difference here in Athens County— and in communities like ours across the country.”

– Kerry Pigman, Executive Director
Athens County Foundation (2025 Civic Hub grantee)

The Trust’s Civic Hub grant will help ACF accelerate its strategic plan by strengthening internal capacity and expanding collaborative initiatives. Support will advance a program called Project Co-Create, deepen engagement of Leadership Athens County alumni, grow nonprofit capacity-building programs, pilot giving circles, and invest in tools that build nonprofit and community leadership and collaboration for lasting impact.

Learn more at athensfoundation.org