Rocky Community Improvement Fund

“Committed to improving Nelsonville and the surrounding communities
by promoting philanthropy among Rocky associates.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS
RCIF has awarded over $500,000 to area non-profits since May of 2009.

RCIF will again be partnering with the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville for our Fall Grant distribution. This combined effort will allow for even more money to be channeled into the local community. Applications are now being accepted through September 15, 2019 for projects from local non-profits that benefit the citizens of Nelsonville and the surrounding areas.

THE STATISTICS
Nelsonville is located in Athens County, in the heart of Ohio’s Appalachian region, which represents about 30% of the land in Ohio and 29 of its 88 counties. Statistics in this area show a population with a high percentage of people living in poverty, low per capita income, higher than average high school drop-out rates, higher infant mortality rates and out migration from the region. These observations are demonstrated in Athens County, Ohio’s poorest county.

• • The poverty rate is 26% compared to the state average of 10%

• • The high school drop out rate is 12%, nearly three times the national average

• • Most available jobs are low-wage-earning, fast-food, cashier and retail positions.

• • 48% of the county population is working poor

• • 39% of the population is receiving some kind of financial assistance

• 32% of the population relies on the state for medical assistance

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Statistics show that only 4.1% of all charitable contributions in Ohio flow to the Appalachian region of the state, despite the fact that this region accounts for 8.2% of the state’s human need. The Rocky Community Improvement Fund aims to help correct this by funneling money directly into the Nelsonville area, including the surrounding communities of Buchtel, Murray City, Glouster and Carbon Hill to name a few.

RCIF GRANT RECIPIENTS