FOUNDATION FOR APPALACHIAN OHIO
EIN 31-1620483 · Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations (T310)
What they do
THE FOUNDATION for APPALACHIAN OHIO (FAO) is A REGIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SERVING THE 32 COUNTIES of APPALACHIAN OHIO. THE FOUNDATION CREATES OPPORTUNITIES for APPALACHIAN OHIOS CITIZENS and COMMUNITIES BY INSPIRING and SUPPORTING PHILANTHROPY. AT THE FOUNDATION for APPALACHIAN OHIO, WE ENVISION A REGION ABUNDANT IN POSSIBILITIES. WE WORK TOWARDS THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR DONORS, GRANTEES, and COMMUNITY MEMBERS BY SHRINKING THE PHILANTHROPY GAP BETWEEN APPALACHIAN OHIO and THE REST of THE STATE; AWARDING GRANTS to NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, and COMMUNITIES; and CONVENING PARTNERS TOGETHER MORE REGULARLY AROUND MATTERS of IMPORTANCE to OUR REGION.
Are they doing good?
The public paperwork has several good signs. Now check whether the charity can show who it helped.
Here is the honest answer: A tax form shows money and paperwork. It cannot prove that people, animals, or the community were truly helped.
Good signs we looked for
IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.
Money report from 2024The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders19 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
Ask these three easy questions
- Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
- What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
- Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.
Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $261,547 for CARA BROOK (PRESIDENT/CEO). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.
Bottom line: Good paperwork is a good sign—not proof. The best answer comes when the charity can show what it changed, who it helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.
Money in and money out
Selected spending reported on the 990
Each amount is compared with total expenses separately. These categories can overlap, so they should not be added together as a pie chart.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
People reported as paid
Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Consider the charity’s size, work, location, and results.
See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (19)
CARA BROOKPRESIDENT/CEO
HOLLY SHELTONVICE PRESIDENT
NANCY LAHMERSSECRETARY
TOM W JOHNSONEMERITUS/TRUSTEE
TJ CONGERTREASURER
TERI GEIGERTRUSTEE
TERA COLEMANTRUSTEE
SARAH WILLSTRUSTEE
RONALD STRICKMAKERCHAIR
RON CREMEANSEMERITUS/TRUSTEE
ROBERT MICK MCLAUGHLINEMERITUS/TRUSTEE
NANCY LUSK ZIMPHERTRUSTEE
MEGAN KVAMMETRUSTEE
MARC REITTERTRUSTEE
KRISTI TANNERVICE CHAIR
KEN TAYLORTRUSTEE
JO ELLEN DIEHL YEARYTRUSTEE
JEFFREY CHADDOCKTRUSTEE
CHRISTOPHER MOONEYTRUSTEE
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 1999
- Location
- 35 PUBLIC SQUARE PO BOX 456, NELSONVILLE, OH 45764
- County
- Athens
- In care of
- CARA DINGUS BROOK
- Primary officer
- CARA DINGUS BROOK, PRESIDENT & CEO
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2024
- Tax period began
- January 1, 2024
- Return type
- 990
- Tax preparer
- REA & ASSOCIATES
- NTEE classification
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations (T310)
- IRS tax category
- Grantmaking Foundations
- Grant-giving organization
- Yes