COAD Appalachian Development Fund

The COAD Appalachian Development Fund Grant Program is a collaborative funding initiative between the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD) and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO). The fund supports innovative programs and addresses specific needs of COAD member agencies operating in the Appalachian counties of Ohio. The partnership aims to strengthen community development across the region through targeted, small-scale grants. Grants are intended to fund practical and impactful projects aligned with local needs. Past awards have included hiring a housing coordinator for service coverage in Athens, Hocking, and Perry counties, as well as capital infrastructure improvements such as sewer line upgrades at a community resource center in Ross County. The fund prioritizes efforts that demonstrate innovation and direct service to Appalachian Ohio communities. The maximum allowable grant request is $10,000. This cap reflects the fund’s intent to provide flexible support to a range of member organizations while managing limited resources effectively. Grants are only open to COAD member agencies, meaning applicants must have an existing affiliation with the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development to be considered eligible. The application deadline for the 2025 cycle is Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Applications must be submitted online through FAO’s new Foundation Cloud Community Portal. All applicants are required to register in the portal before accessing the application. Returning users who applied since fall 2024 may use their existing credentials to log in. First-time users must complete registration by creating a profile and selecting their organization, after which they can submit their applications. Applicants may access the portal by visiting https://appalachianohio.spectrumportal.net/accounts/signin. After logging in, users should navigate to the “Grant Applicant” tab and select “Available Grants” to find the specific application form for the COAD Appalachian Development Fund. The portal allows users to save progress and return to applications before submission. Submitted applications cannot be edited, but can be viewed and downloaded. All applicants are encouraged to review the FAO Applicant FAQs for guidance on portal access, required documentation, and technical support. Eligible applicants include nonprofit and public organizations such as municipalities and school districts. Groups operating under a fiscal sponsor are also eligible, provided sponsor information is disclosed. FAO prioritizes organizations headquartered in Appalachian Ohio but accepts applications from those serving the region. For further assistance, applicants can contact FAO at grants@ffao.org or 740-753-1111.

Applicants may save and return to their application at any time. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited. Users should bookmark the portal login page.