“Committed to improving Nelsonville and the surrounding communities
by promoting philanthropy among Rocky associates.”
OUR MISSION:
To provide impactful support to our local communities by awarding grants to build a clean, safe, and healthy community for our neighbors.
2020 GRANT APPLICATION FORMS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
RCIF has awarded over $600,000 to area non-profits since May of 2009.
RCIF Spring 2020 Grant Cycle Update
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our communities, we have chosen to suspend the spring 2020 grant cycle for the Rocky Community Improvement Fund (RCIF). Money raised through the fund scheduled for distribution this spring will be directed to organizations with immediate needs related to business and school closures in the area.
Non-profit organizations in the Nelsonville area with immediate needs related to the impact of COVID-19 can contact us at rcif@rockybrands.com to discuss if and how RCIF can assist. RCIF cannot donate to individuals.
Organizations that submitted applications for a spring 2020 grant will be included in our fall 2020 selection process.
Please Contact RCIF for details on giving or receiving help:
Attn: RCIF
39 East Canal St.
Nelsonville, OH 45764
740.753.9100 x2115
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
| RCIF and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville 2016 Spring Recipients Stuart’s Opera House Nelsonville Division of Fire Nelsonville York Elementary Community Food Initiatives American Red Cross Nelsonville Food Cupboard, Incorporated Athens Food Rescue Amesville Parent Teacher Organization Bishopville Church of Christ Food Pantry Friends of Strouds Run State Park Nelsonville York Elementary Trimble Textbook Nelsonville York Science Department Southeastern Ohio Foodbank (HAPCAP) |
RCIF and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville 2015 Fall Recipients Federal Valley Resource Center Dairy Barn Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery Village of Murray City Fire Department Nelsonville Food Cupboard, Incorporated AceNet Kids on Campus Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio Southeastern Ohio Foodbank (HAPCAP) Stuart’s Opera House Trimble Local Schools York Township Fire Department Habitat for Humanity |
| RCIF and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville 2015 Spring Recipients Trimble Local Textbook Foundation Southeastern Ohio Food bank (HAPCAP) Logan Hocking Local School District Bishopville Church of Christ Food Pantry Southern Local School District Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens, Inc. York Township Fire Department Nelsonville York City Schools-Buckeye Yearbook Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery Nelsonville York city Schools Band Nelsonville York High School Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Club Church of the Epiphany Ohio Health O’Bleness Hospital Stuart’s Opera House Community Food Initiatives Nelsonville Restoration Foundation Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Friends of the Shelter Dogs |
RCIF and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville 2014 Spring Recipients: Ohio Health / O’Bleness Hospital Trimble Local Textbook Foundation Nelsonville York Preschool Nelsonville Presbyterian Pre-Kindergarten Bishopville Church of Christ Food Pantry Corning Monroe Civic Center Smith Chapel Food and Clothing Mission Rural Action Inc. Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio Ohio University Three Rivers Housing Corporation Hocking College Foundation Nelsonville York Elementary First Presbyterian Church of Nelsonville |
