On June 26th, the Health group hosted a webinar with information on how the COVID-19 pandemic is reaching into rural places and putting a strain on health systems and rural hospitals. Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer with the National Rural Health Association, led the webinar with an overview of public health in rural areas during COVID-19. Then guest speakers from West Virginia organizations addressed access issues related to oral healthcare, COVID-19, and reproductive health. The session was moderated by Laura Nixon, AFN Health Group Co-Chair and Program Officer with the Educational Foundation of America. Learn about our speakers, below.

On June 3rd, AFN hosted a timely webinar to address the COVID-19 Pandemic and  evaluate the role of the Network amidst a call for racial justice and policing reforms across all 50 states in response to the death of George Floyd. The webinar was introduced by Michelle Foster and Lora Smith, Network Co-chairs. Carole Pickering, Program Officer with the Educational Foundation of America, and Gerry Roll, Executive Director of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky presented on regional projects.

On April 14-15, the Appalachia Funders Network met virtually to host it's first ever mini-conference. The Conference began with a day of group meetings - Equity, Energy & Natural Resources, Health, Food & Agricultural Systems, Arts & Culture, and Downtown Revitalization. On April 15, the Network held three informative sessions on the economy, funding best practices, and new opportunities during COVID-19 for members. 

Please view recordings, materials, and links of the April 15th sessions below

Appalachia Funders Network members may view our Network Guidelines here.

Over the next 5-7 months, the Arts & Culture Group of the Appalachia Funders Network seeks to commission a writer familiar with both Central Appalachia and the power of the arts to impact community development. The writer will (1) write 4-6 profiles of projects that integrate arts and culture into their community economic development work, and (2) write 20-30 brief summaries of projects that integrate arts and culture into community economic development work.