African American Community Fund accepting 2026 grant applications
The African American Community Fund (AACF), with the support of its donors and in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), is accepting grant applications from Black-led and Black-serving nonprofit and public organizations serving Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties.
AACF will award grants that advance opportunities across five areas essential to flourishing communities: 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 Appalachian Ohio’s African American communities.
Funding requests should be between $500 and $5,000, but larger requests may be considered based on potential impact. Additional information and the 2026 grant application are available at www.AppalachianOhio.org/AACF/grant-opportunities. Applications must be submitted online by Tuesday, March 24.
Gifts to AACF’s endowment fund are invested, and the earnings generated from those investments fund the grants AACF awards each year. In 2025, AACF, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, awarded more than $32,000 in grant funding to support projects and programs serving the region’s African American communities.
To learn more about AACF and how to support its work, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/AACF, email AACF@ffao.org or call (740) 753-1111.
The African American Community Fund was established at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio in January 2020. The Fund was founded by and for the Black community as one way to create opportunities for African Americans in Appalachian Ohio. The Fund is overseen by a steering committee composed of Ernest A. Bynum, Rosetta Carter, Dr. Tee Ford, Lawrence Funderburke, John Jackson, Mark Lomax, Ruth Lomax, Ken Mason, Dr. Michele Reynolds and Ralph Smithers Jr. For more information about the African American Community Fund, visit www.AppalachianOhio.org/AACF.
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.