Founded in 2023 by the Right Reverend Brent E. Whetstone and his wife, Heather, the Whetstone Family Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to advancing Hope, Health, and Humanity across Appalachian Ohio. Rooted in the Whetstones’ lifelong commitment to service—and shaped by their deep love for the people of this region—the Foundation was created to confront long-standing disparities in educational access, especially for students pursuing careers in medicine, public health, and the arts.

 

Through years of ministry, nonprofit leadership, and hands-on service in rural communities, the Whetstone family witnessed firsthand the barriers that stand between potential and opportunity. They met extraordinary young people whose dreams were limited not by talent or ambition, but by financial hardship, geographic isolation, and systemic inequities.

 

The Foundation exists to change that reality.

 

At its heart, the Whetstone Family Foundation is an investment in futures—helping Appalachian students step into their callings with confidence, dignity, and the support they deserve.

 

In its inaugural year, the Foundation proudly awarded its first scholarships to students at Bloomfield High School, with the first presentations delivered by Heather Whetstone. What began as a small, family-funded effort has grown steadily, sustained by the personal contributions of Bishop Brent, Heather, and their five children—each committed to strengthening Appalachian communities through generosity and service.

 

Today, the Foundation continues to expand its reach, supporting students, schools, and community programs that uplift the region and embody the belief that where you come from should never determine how far you can go.

 

At the Whetstone Family Foundation, we believe that education transforms lives, strengthens families, and uplifts entire communities. From rural classrooms to clinics, from hospital corridors to local stages, our mission remains simple and steadfast: to open doors where few exist—and to remind every student in Appalachia that their story matters, and their future deserves to shine.