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Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

EIN 31-1620483 · Nelsonville, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO (FAO) IS A REGIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SERVING THE 32 COUNTIES OF APPALACHIAN OHIO. THE FOUNDATION CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO'S CITIZENS AND COMMUNITIES BY INSPIRING AND SUPPORTING PHILANTHROPY. AT THE FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO, WE ENVISION A REGION ABUNDANT IN POSSIBILITIES. WE WORK TOWARDS THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR DONORS, GRANTEES, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS BY SHRINKING THE PHILANTHROPY GAP BETWEEN APPALACHIAN OHIO AND THE REST OF THE STATE; AWARDING GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITIES; AND CONVENING PARTNERS TOGETHER MORE REGULARLY AROUND MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE TO OUR REGION.

Income
$26.1 million
Spending
$11.5 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
40.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
27
Volunteers
330
Highest pay
$261,547, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 40.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 56% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. IN A REGION WHERE THERE ARE FAR FEWER PHILANTHROPIC RESOURCES AVAILABLE THAN IN THE REST OF THE STATE, FAO HAS PARTNERED WITH COMMUNITIES TO HELP THEM BUILD LOCALLY-FOCUSED ENDOWMENT AND RESOURCES TO REINVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. LED BY LOCAL ON THE GROUND VOLUNTEERS, THESE COMMUNITY FUNDS ARE CREATING GRANTMAKING DOLLARS WHERE THEY HAVEN'T EXISTED BEFORE AND ARE CREATING NEW PATHS FOR CURRENT AND FORMER RESIDENTS TO GIVE BACK. WITH FAO'S SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP, THESE FUNDS HAVE DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED OUTREACH STRATEGIES, HAVE BEEN FUNDRAISING, AND MANY HAVE EMBARKED ON THEIR FIRST GRANTMAKING INITIATIVES ACROSS THEIR COMMUNITIES.
  2. $5.9 million spent. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, FAO'S FUNDS AWARD GRANTS THROUGH COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAMS AS WELL AS THROUGH STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMITTEES AND DONOR SERVICES. GRANT DOLLARS MAKE INVESTMENTS ACROSS MANY FIELDS OF INTEREST, INCLUDING ARTS AND CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. FAO'S GRANT FUNDS SUPPORT INITIATIVES BASED IN NONPROFITS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. $739,786 spent. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DONORS WHO HAVE CREATED FUNDS TO CELEBRATE AND MEMORIALIZE LOVED ONES WITH THE GIFT OF EDUCATION, FAO AWARDED 664 SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2024. THESE SCHOLARSHIPS SERVE TO INSPIRE APPALACHIAN OHIO'S STUDENTS TO PURSUE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCING FINANCIAL BARRIERS THAT MIGHT STAND IN STUDENTS' WAY AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.