Donor Spotlight

Donor Spotlight

Jo Ellen Diehl Yeary | Generosity rooted in pride, remembrance, dedication to home

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FAO Facts

Helping donors give with a
passion for more than 20 years.

In the tradition of the 700+ community foundations across the United States, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) manages permanent charitable funds supported by thousands of Appalachian Ohioans for the betterment of our region. Through grantmaking, strategic leadership, and partnerships, our work with our donors will grow the philanthropic resources needed to transform generational poverty into generations of prosperity.

With more than 20 years of expertise, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is a leader in philanthropy and a partner of choice for nonprofits, individuals, and businesses looking to make a positive impact in their communities. Funds are professionally managed to safeguard principal and yield a competitive rate of return. Each year, a portion of the investment earnings are distributed as grants to community organizations and scholarships for students.

Visit our News & Happenings page to read up on the latest news from FAO.

FAO Fast Facts

Year Founded:          1998


Location:                   Nelsonville, Ohio


Serving:                     All 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio


Mission:                     To create opportunities for Appalachian Ohio’s citizens and
communities by inspiring and supporting philanthropy.


Vision:                        For the citizens of Appalachian Ohio to live in a region abundant
with possibilities.


President & CEO:     Cara Dingus Brook


Assets:                       As of March 2020, more than $51 million held in over 490 funds.


Total Granted             FAO has invested more than $12.2 million back into the
Since Inception:        
community through grants and scholarships.


Key Areas of Funding:

FAO recently secured $10 million from the Ohio legislature to serve as matching funds for gifts to FAO endowment funds and our I’m a Child of Appalachia fund.

The I’m a Child of Appalachia Fund is designed to make an immediate and lasting impact on the quality of life by growing flexible, region-wide resources that can meet the greatest needs and pursue the greatest opportunities facing our communities. The Fund supports regional initiatives across FAO’s five Pillars of Prosperity, focused on the areas of Arts & Culture, Community & Economic Development, Education, Environmental Stewardship, and Health & Human Services. All gifts to the fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

You can also choose to support our community funds or donor-restricted funds and see your gift matched. Click here to learn more about this limited time match opportunity.


Regional & Local:  FAO serves the Appalachian Ohio region while also helping local communities without their own foundation grow local resources. We partner with communities to create local foundations that benefit from FAO’s support in fundraising, training, and communications as well as through management of the fund’s administration and investments. Learn more about our efforts to Grow Home.


FAO Community Funds

African American Community Fund
Gallia Community Foundation Fund
The Guernsey County Foundation Fund
Harrison County Community Foundation Fund
Highland County Community Foundation Fund
Hocking County Community Fund
Jackson County Community Foundation Fund
Lawrence County Community Foundation Fund
Meigs County Community Fund
Monroe County Community Foundation
Morgan County Community Fund
Nelsonville Community Foundation Fund
Noble County Community Foundation Fund
Community Foundation for Perry County
Vinton County Community Fund