Washington County - Nonprofits play an essential role in the strength and well-being of a community. Behind every program, service, and initiative is an organization working to make a difference, and sustaining that work requires more than passion for a mission. It requires strong leadership, sound financial practices, engaged boards, and the ability to plan beyond the immediate needs of today.
For many smaller nonprofits, building that kind of organizational foundation can be a challenge. Executive directors often wear many hats, carrying responsibility for everything from daily operations and fundraising to financial oversight and long-term planning. And when an experienced leader leaves, the impact can extend well beyond filling a vacant position. Institutional knowledge, donor relationships, and valuable community connections can leave with them.
What if supporting a nonprofit's mission meant investing just as much in the people and organizational structure behind it as the programs and services it delivers?
That's the idea behind Marietta Community Foundation's brand-new Anchor Grant, a three-year grant program designed to take a different approach to traditional grantmaking by investing directly in nonprofit leadership and organizational capacity. Through this pilot initiative, one established nonprofit serving Washington County will be selected to receive the grant for 2027.
Rather than funding a specific project or program, the Anchor Grant focuses on the long-term health of an organization. The selected nonprofit will receive $10,000 annually for three years, designated as a salary supplement for its executive director, along with access to professional expertise in strategic planning, financial management, and human resources.
The goal is to give nonprofit leadership more than financial support. It's an opportunity to step back from the demands of daily operations, focus on the bigger picture, and access the guidance and resources needed to strengthen an organization from within.
A Different Approach to Grantmaking
The Anchor Grant is designed to provide meaningful support over time, recognizing that organizational growth does not happen overnight. Its three-year structure allows the Foundation to work alongside the selected nonprofit as it identifies priorities, addresses challenges, and puts plans into action.
During the first year, professional consultants will work with the organization to identify two to three strategic priorities, evaluate financial practices and reporting, strengthen the board's understanding of organizational finances, and review human resource policies and procedures.
That initial work will establish a roadmap for the remaining two years, when the organization will receive continued guidance and support as it implements its priorities and works toward long-term sustainability.
"We have always believed that investing in our nonprofit community is one of the most important things we do as a Foundation," said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. "We have wonderful grant programs that support the work of these organizations, and we're incredibly proud of that. But we've also been asking ourselves, what else can we do? How can we support our nonprofits in ways that go beyond writing a check for a project or program? We know how much falls on the shoulders of nonprofit leaders, and we wanted to find a way to invest in them, too. The Anchor Grant is something we've been really excited to develop because it gives us the opportunity to do just that.”
Making More Possible Through Unrestricted Giving
The Anchor Grant also represents the kind of forward-thinking philanthropy that unrestricted resources make possible.
When donors contribute to a community foundation's unrestricted resources, they give it the flexibility to respond to emerging needs, explore new approaches, and invest in opportunities that may fall outside traditional grant categories. That flexibility allows the Foundation to look beyond individual projects and consider what will make the greatest difference for the community over time.
"The launch of the Anchor Grant comes at a really fitting time as we're talking about the importance of unrestricted resources and what they make possible for our community," Allender said. "We've been having a lot of conversations about why these dollars matter, and this program is a great example. Unrestricted resources give us the flexibility to recognize needs that might otherwise go unaddressed and develop new ways to respond. Our Foundation First Matching Campaign is helping us build those resources so we can continue exploring opportunities like this and investing in our community in thoughtful, meaningful ways, both today and for years to come."
Applying for the Anchor Grant
The Anchor Grant pilot is open to established nonprofit organizations located in or serving Washington County, Ohio. Eligible organizations must have 501(c) tax-exempt status, a paid executive director (part-time OR full-time), and a functioning board of directors.
The application process requires two separate applications: one completed by the organization's executive director and one by its board chair. Required organizational attachments must also be included.
Both completed applications and all supporting materials must be submitted to Mackenzie Goldsberry, Program Services Director, at mackenzie@mcfohio.org by November 30, 2026.
Organizations selected as finalists will be invited to participate in a conversation with the Foundation, including both their executive director and board chair, between December 7 and 18. The final organization will be selected on December 22, pending approval by the Anchor Committee and Marietta Community Foundation's Board of Directors.
Organizations interested in learning more about the Anchor Grant, reviewing program details, or accessing application materials can visit mcfohio.org/anchor-grant. Questions can be directed to Mackenzie Goldsberry at mackenzie@mcfohio.org or 740-373-3286.
