Appalachian Ohio Grants Open for 2026 — What to Know

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio just opened its 2026 grant cycle

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and its 15 affiliate foundation partners are accepting applications for two legacy funds that support community development across the region. The deadline is March 17, 2026, and both funds are open now.

If you run a nonprofit, community organization, or public entity in Appalachian Ohio, this is a straightforward funding opportunity. The amounts are modest — up to $1,000 per grant — but the application is simple, the turnaround is fast, and the funds can support projects that improve quality of life in your community.

And these two funds are not the only money available. Appalachian Ohio has several active grant programs in 2026, some with six- and seven-figure awards. Here is what you need to know about all of them.

What the FAO legacy funds cover

Two separate funds are accepting applications through the same March 17 deadline.

Dale Hileman Legacy Fund

The Hileman Fund supports economic development and growth initiatives. It was created with support from the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance (EODA) and honors Dale Hileman, who spent four decades promoting economic development in eastern Ohio through his work with Columbia Gas and EODA.

Eligible counties: Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Tuscarawas, and Washington — 16 counties total.

Maximum request: $1,000

Apply at: AppalachianOhio.org/Hileman

Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund

The Myers Fund supports nonprofit and public organizations working to improve quality of life across all 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio. The emphasis is on education, regional networking, community leadership, and basic needs — the areas Myers championed during his years as executive director of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Alliance.

Eligible area: All 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio

Maximum request: $1,000

Apply at: AppalachianOhio.org/Myers

Both applications are online. Contact FAO at 740-753-1111 or [email protected] with questions.

Why small grants still matter

A thousand dollars will not transform your organization overnight. But small grants punch above their weight for three reasons.

They fund the start of something bigger. A $1,000 grant can cover the initial costs of a community project — a feasibility study, a workshop series, a pilot program — that qualifies for larger funding down the road. Many major grants require evidence of community support or preliminary planning. A small FAO grant can provide exactly that.

They build a track record. Successfully completing a grant-funded project, even a small one, makes your organization a stronger applicant for larger programs like the Appalachian Community Grant Program or federal SBIR awards. Funders want to see that you can execute.

They reach organizations that bigger programs miss. The FAO’s legacy funds are designed for community-level impact. A volunteer fire department, a local arts nonprofit, a workforce development coalition — these organizations may not meet the minimum thresholds for state-level programs but can do meaningful work with $1,000.

Bigger Appalachian Ohio grants to know about

The FAO funds are one piece of a broader funding landscape. If your project needs more than $1,000, here are other active programs for Appalachian Ohio in 2026.

Appalachian Community Grant Program (ACGP)

The ACGP is a $500 million program funded through Ohio’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act dollars and administered by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia. It provides planning and development grants for transformational projects across the 32-county region.

Minimum project size: $1 million
Technical assistance grants: Up to $250,000 per county
Deadline: Rolling rounds until all funds are awarded; projects must be complete by October 31, 2026
Focus areas: Infrastructure, workforce development, main street revitalization

This is the largest single funding pool available to Appalachian Ohio communities right now. If your community has a significant infrastructure or workforce development project, the ACGP is where to start.

Ohio Micro-Business Development Program

The Ohio Micro-Business Development Program supports businesses with five or fewer employees, including the owner. Administered by the Ohio CDC Association through the Ohio Department of Development, it provides training and technical assistance for startups and expanding businesses in low-income communities.

Grant awards: Up to $45,000 per organization (average: ~$34,000)
IDA match: Eligible participants save $250 and receive $2,000 in matching funds (8-to-1 match)
2026 cycle: January 1 through December 31, 2026
Note: Business owners do not apply directly. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations apply for funding to serve micro-businesses in their area.

If you are a sole proprietor or run a business with a handful of employees, ask your local community development corporation whether they participate in this program.

Additional state programs

Industry Sector Partnership Grant: $50,000-$250,000 for workforce development collaborations between businesses and educational institutions
IMAGE Grant: Covers 50% of eligible export expenses up to $10,000 per year for businesses expanding into international markets
JobsOhio: Funding for businesses in distressed areas, with eligibility tied to owner demographics and project location

How grant funding can support technology adoption

Here is where this connects to what we do at Appalach.AI. Every one of these funding programs — from FAO’s $1,000 legacy grants to the ACGP’s million-dollar awards — can support technology adoption in some form.

A workforce development grant can fund AI training for your staff. An economic development grant can cover the cost of implementing AI-powered tools for customer service, scheduling, or content creation. Infrastructure grants can include the digital infrastructure that modern businesses need to compete.

We wrote recently about NIST awarding $3.19 million to small businesses for AI research and West Virginia’s new Small Business Growth Act. The pattern is clear: public investment in small business technology is accelerating at every level of government. The businesses that apply for these funds will be the ones positioned to grow.

If you are in Appalachian Ohio and thinking about how AI tools could help your business, exploring your options is a reasonable first step. Knowing what is available before the deadlines pass is an even better one.

What you should do now

Immediate actions

Check your eligibility. If you are in one of the 16 EODA counties, apply for the Hileman Fund. If you are anywhere in the 32-county Appalachian Ohio region, apply for the Myers Fund. You can apply for both.
Submit before March 17. Both FAO applications close on March 17, 2026. The online forms are straightforward — do not let the deadline slip by.
Ask about micro-business support. If you own a small business with five or fewer employees, contact your local community development corporation about the Ohio Micro-Business Development Program.

Watch for

ACGP application rounds: New rounds open as funding becomes available. If your community has a large-scale project in mind, monitor the OVRDC page for updates.
Kentucky AMLER grants: Across the river, Kentucky’s Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization program has $29.5 million in grants open through May 11, 2026. If you operate in both states, look into it.

Grant money is there. The application windows are open. The only thing standing between your organization and these funds is filling out the forms.

Need help figuring out how AI tools fit into your business plan — or how to frame technology adoption in a grant application? Get in touch.