JPMorgan Chase Foundation Invests in I'm a Child of Appalachia Initiative

Tuesday Feb 07, 2012

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Awarded $62,000 Grant

Nelsonville, OH – The JPMorgan Chase Foundation has awarded the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) a $62,000 grant – its second in two years – to support FAO’s I’m a Child of Appalachia^® Initiative. The grant will aid FAO’s work to grow regional capacity and create educational opportunities to position the region’s students for success.

FAO’s signature initiative, I’m a Child of Appalachia, was launched in 2005 to encourage the region’s citizens to take pride in the unique advantages of Appalachian Ohio while emphasizing the importance of educational opportunities. I’m a Child of Appalachia Network^® (ICAN!) members support FAO’s innovative efforts to develop the permanent philanthropic resources and regional capacity needed to support Appalachian Ohio and its citizens, especially its youth. A continually growing effort, I’m a Child of Appalachia has evolved to include educational grantmaking initiatives for students, educators, and school districts in addition to its annual citizen award and writing contest.

“The JPMorgan Chase Foundation wants to give students in Appalachian Ohio improved access to high-quality educational opportunities so they can become productive, engaged citizens,” said Cinnamon Pelly, vice president for Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase Foundation. “Over the past two years, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation has invested $162,000 in the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio because together we can change young people’s lives across 32 Ohio counties.”

With a quarter of its grant funding invested in the I’m a Child of Appalachia endowment fund, the JPMorgan Chase Foundation will help FAO address today’s needs while growing the region’s endowment for future opportunities.

“The endowment fund ensures resources are available to meet the region’s changing needs,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO’s president and CEO. “The JPMorgan Chase Foundation is a strategic philanthropic partner. They understand FAO’s work as a regional community foundation and the importance of long-term investments to support Appalachian Ohio. We truly value their membership in our ICAN! Corporate Partnership.”

An extension of I’m a Child of Appalachia, the ICAN! Corporate Partnership is a network of businesses committed to investments that expand educational opportunities and regional philanthropy. The JPMorgan Chase Foundation joins other ICAN! Corporate Partners committed to collaboratively enhancing available educational opportunities. Current partners include: AEP Ohio; AK Steel; Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc.; Duke Energy; ED MAP Inc.; Ohio CAT; Oxford Resource Partners; Peoples Bank; Rocky Brands; and Tata Sons Limited.

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation supports nonprofit organizations and community programs in Ohio and around the world. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.3 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. Across Ohio, Chase has 289 bank branches and 890 ATMs, serves nearly four million consumers and 150,000 small and mid-sized businesses, and employs more than 22,000. More information is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio with the mission of enriching the region’s current and future quality of life. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation attracts contributions for programs and endowment, makes grants for charitable and civic purposes, and supports local efforts for positive change. For more information about FAO, visit www.appalachianohio.org.

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