The Rocky Brands Community Improvement Fund (RCIF) aims to enhance the quality of life in Nelsonville and surrounding communities by promoting philanthropy among Rocky Brands Associates, building an endowment, and awarding grants. This initiative directly aligns with the broader missions of the Athens County Foundation and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville by focusing on community well-being and strategic charitable giving. The fund seeks to funnel money directly into the area, making a tangible positive impact on local communities in Ohio.
The fund targets a wide range of beneficiaries, encompassing children, senior citizens, and individuals with developmental disabilities. Specific impact goals include improving children’s welfare and education, addressing hunger, supporting school programs, enhancing health and wellness, and fostering community development. The RCIF seeks to achieve these goals by funding projects that incorporate new approaches to current or emerging needs and encourage cooperation among organizations to avoid duplication of services, ultimately maximizing the positive reach within the community.
Priority is given to projects that demonstrate alignment with the mission and values of RCIF, the Athens County Foundation, and the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville. The fund also prioritizes initiatives that show the organization’s ability to leverage additional funds, ensuring that the grants can catalyze further investment and support. General funding priorities are comprehensive, including housing initiatives, animal welfare, community beautification, and environmental programs, indicating a holistic approach to community improvement.
The expected outcomes are diverse and far-reaching, aiming to create healthier, more educated, and more vibrant communities. Measurable results would stem from the successful implementation of projects across the various funding priorities, such as improved educational outcomes for children, reduced instances of hunger, better access to healthcare, enhanced community infrastructure, and more beautiful public spaces. The foundation's strategic priorities are rooted in promoting philanthropy and building an endowment to ensure sustained support for the community, reflecting a long-term theory of change focused on empowering local organizations and fostering collaborative solutions to pressing community needs.
