Investing in Libraries as Community Builders grants
Investing in Libraries as Community Builders grants support Appalachian Ohio’s public libraries in testing community-building approaches that strengthen civic participation, connections and belonging.
Funder: Foundation for Appalachian Ohio
Due Dates: October 22, 2026 (Application deadline) | July 31, 2027 (Project completion)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 per project; $250,000 total funding
Summary: Supports Appalachian Ohio’s public libraries in testing community-building approaches that strengthen civic participation, connections and belonging.
Key Information: Funded libraries must collect shared civic-health metrics and participate in a virtual convening in fall 2027.
Description
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), in partnership with the Trust for Civic Life, supports public libraries as community builders and civic institutions in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The initiative invests in civic health: trust between residents, strong local institutions and a sense of shared belonging. It funds work that brings residents together meaningfully and helps them collaborate on local challenges and opportunities.
Grants support “civic experiments” that remove barriers to participation, repeatedly connect previously unengaged residents around shared interests or needs, or involve volunteers and community members as program leaders. Projects can launch new efforts or deepen existing programs to reach new audiences. Approaches should fit the community served and need not resemble the program’s examples, which include civic conversations, book clubs, bookmobile programming and community-led learning.
