The Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville (OHFN) continued its partnership with the Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF), leveraging resources to support programs serving vulnerable populations in Nelsonville and surrounding communities.

Since 2013, the Foundation has partnered with RCIF to match charitable contributions made by Rocky Brands employees.  More than $500,000 in total funding has been awarded through the partnership to date, supporting organizations in the Nelsonville area focused on healthy food access, children’s welfare and education, human services and community improvement projects.

The following organizations received funding through the partnership’s spring 2019 grant cycle:

  • Alexander Local School District: $2,250 to support the Live Healthy Kids program.
  • Athens Area Mediation Service: $1,910 to implement conflict resolution programming for youth.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio: $3,600 to support camp experiences for youth in low-income households in Athens and Hocking counties.
  • Blessings in a Backpack: $5,000 to provide students experiencing food insecurity in the Meigs Local School District with food for the weekends.
  • Feed My Sheep: $2,000 to support food pantry operations in Coolville.
  • Lutheran Social Services: $3,000 to support mobile food pantries in Athens County.
  • Nelsonville Division of Fire/EMS: $2,994 to acquire medical equipment and supplies utilized by first responders.
  • Nelsonville Presbyterian Pre-Kindergarten: $2,000 to provide classroom educational supplies.
  • Nelsonville-York City Schools: $2,836 to support technology in first grade classrooms.
  • Ohio Association of Student Councils: $2,000 to support participation from Nelsonville students in leadership programming.
  • Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery: $5,000 to bring travelling interactive exhibits and digital workshops to communities in southeastern Ohio.
  • Sojourners Care Network: $3,360 to support the Youthbuild Lunch Program in Vinton County.
  • Village of Glouster: $1,550 to make improvements to a community park.
  • York Township Fire Department: $2,500 to distribute baskets of food to area residents during the holiday season.RCIF is a donor advised fund of the Athens County Foundation. Information on fall 2019 applications will be posted to the RCIF website this summer.