Connecting donors to projects that speak to their hearts.
FAO’s Cause Connector makes it easier than ever to support the causes and communities closest to your heart. And with every gift you make, you are helping to meet the greatest needs and unleash the incredible potential within the communities of Appalachian Ohio.
Cause Connector was designed to showcase the work of Appalachian Ohio’s nonprofits with projects that will launch a new effort, scale a program, or serve more people who call our region home. These projects will be featured a few times a year to give donors the opportunity to find projects to support. The first round of Cause Connector ended on April 9, 2021. We look forward to a second round later this year. In the meantime, visit the Funded Projects page to see the good work underway because of the support of many Cause Connector donors.
If you’d like to give a gift to support Appalachian Ohio’s communities now, please visit the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio website, or sign up for our eNewsletter to know the moment the next round of Cause Connector opens.
The I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund
FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund pursues the greatest needs and most promising opportunities across our communities by supporting projects across five areas crucial to quality of life in Appalachian Ohio, what we call the Pillars of Prosperity. Filter by your favorite Pillar below to find the project closest to your heart today, and to support similar projects through the I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund tomorrow.
Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture Help our communities and the people who call them home access an abundance of arts and culture opportunities. Find Projects
Community & Economic Development
Community & Economic Development Help create vibrant communities with economic opportunities. Find Projects
Education
Education Make a difference by supporting educators and students in accessing diverse educational opportunities throughout their lives. Find Projects
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship Ensure those who call our communities home experience our region’s natural beauty today and across future generations. Find Projects
Health & Human Services
Health & Human Services Connect individuals and communities with the care and services needed for the highest quality of physical and mental health. Find Projects
FAO Signature Initiatives.
As we work together to close the philanthropy gap that leaves Appalachian Ohio with nearly nine times fewer philanthropic resources than the rest of the state, we will create new opportunities for the people who call Appalachian Ohio’s communities home. One way FAO is creating these new opportunities is through our Signature Initiatives. FAO Signature Initiatives are those efforts and projects at work today that are designed to make a transformational difference. They are supported by our I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund, which is focused on addressing our greatest needs, pursuing our most promising opportunities, and reaching communities across Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties.
Featured project.
Eye Exams on WheelsThe mobile vision unit will travel to schools throughout the region to provide children with free eye exams and glasses.
View ProjectWall of Appreciation spotlight.
Tom & Rhonda Stemmer
When Tom and Rhonda Stemmer learned about the FAO Cause Connector pilot project, they were inspired to fund a wide variety of projects, from services for seniors, to shoes for children, education about the Underground Railroad, and more.
Learn More