The Year in Review: Press Forward Central Appalachia

Since becoming a chapter in July of 2024, we have been hard at work creating a strong foundations for the work ahead. Thank you for opting to follow-us along in this journey. As we shift into 2025, here are some updates from the past year: Launching of the Rural News Fund Earlier this month, we announced the official launch of the Rural News Fund. Through partnership with Invest Appalachia, an impact investment non-profit providing fund management, and Media Growth Partners, a veteran journalism business consultant — we are bringing our local media funding initiatives together with Press Forward. The Rural News Fund (RNF) is a guarantee that 100% of pooled dollars from Appalachian funders remains in the region. Press Forward Central Appalachia Our plan is to begin grantmaking in Q2 of 2025, while simultaneously growing the Fund and increasing our impact over time.  Grants made from the RNF will provide:  Technical Assistance Working capital for staff building & ensured sustainability Capital for innovative practices & media tech Crucial data to support marketing efforts & secure future funding Establishing Our Starter Committees We have created a committee of organizations who have experience in impact investing, narrative change, and funding in the civic engagement space. This is just the beginning.  While these groups lay the groundwork for the internal mechanisms and outreach, we are likewise preparing for the next phase of this initiative. Grantmaking, providing technical assistance to grantees, and other supports that will be available to grantees.   Building Partner Relationships Through conversation and community building, we are creating pathways for other funders interested in our work. We are in conversation with the Press Forward Chapters who may have geographic cross over with us, and know that we are better when we work together. This is the first step for how we get this right.  Preparing Our Landscape Analysis The more you learn, the more you realize there is even more to discern. Following the release of our Asset Scan last fall, in which we the connection between civic engagement and community health (of which a vibrant local journalism ecosystem is paramount) was made evident with data, we are preparing to launch a second landscape scan that will give us more insight into the best, and most impactful ways, we can invest back into our communities.  Please keep an eye out early next year for the RFP, and share with your networks!  Other News from Press Forward Nationals Press Forward, in partnership with the Listening Post Collective and Information Futures Lab has, has released the Civic Information Index. How does your community score?  Early this month, Press Forward Nationals announced it Open Call on Infrastructure. LOI's are due January 15th at 11:59 PM EST. Read more here.  Our Contact Information Appalachia Funders Network 420 Main St, Hazard KY 41701 606-439-1357 www.appalachiafunders.org *{{Unsubscribe}}*