From Appalachian Voices | "This week, more than 80 state and local government officials, educational institutions, businesses, churches and nonprofits sent a letter to members of Congress calling for sustained funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission. The letter was delivered in response to President Donald Trump’s discretionary budget funding proposal released in late May, which called for cutting funding for the ARC by 93% — slashing it from $200 million in recent years to $14 million for fiscal year 2026. Congress is now considering how to respond to Trump’s proposal as it turns its focus to the FY26 Appropriations process after passing the budget reconciliation bill last week, which included major cuts to social support systems."
|
|
|
AFN was one of the organizations that signed a letter of support for the Appalachian Regional Commission. As Ryan said, "[ARC] has been one of the most important drivers of regional revitalization" across Appalachia for several decades, and our communities are better resourced as a result. Loss of funding for ARC would result in the loss of many programs and critical dollars available to our communities, our people, and the organizations doing work on the ground. |
|
|
Join us on the first Friday of every month at 10 AM EST for our Hurricane Helene Response Call — the only space where funders from across the region regularly connect. These calls are a vital opportunity to share updates, coordinate efforts, and organize around the long-term work of Helene recovery and community resilience. Use the button below to register and add the call to your calendar. We look forward to building with you. |
|
|
We’re continuing to hold the same pre-existing time block for group meetings through the end of 2025. This time will now be used for members to convene, organize, and reflect on how they want their group to evolve under the new AFN structure.
|
- Place-Based | July 29th at 3:30 PM EST
- Energy and Natural Resources | RESCHEDULED: TBD
- Creative Capital | TBD
- Arts & Culture | September 23rd at 2:00 PM
-
Health | September 18th at 3:00 PM
|
|
|
Introducing Our New Staff Members | |
|
| Research and Data Coordinator |
Melody Lutz is a project manager, data storyteller, and systems thinker with more than five years of experience working across the nonprofit sector. She joins AFN from CARE USA, where she managed global transformation projects, communicated impact stories, and advanced the organization’s ‘locally led, globally scaled’ strategy. Her work has spanned program review and design, strategic planning, impact measurement, and operations, with contributions to initiatives focused on climate resilience and disaster recovery.
|
|
|
Melody holds an M.A. in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University. A native of southeastern West Virginia, she is excited to return her professional focus to the region, using data to inform strategic investments and strengthen collaboration across Central Appalachia. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, exploring state parks, and volunteering with local organizations. |
|
|
Membership and Network Development Coordinator |
Kalista, based in Chattanooga, TN, joins AFN as a recent Master of Public Policy graduate from the University of Virginia, where she was a Tadler Fellow in Impact Investing in Appalachia. Prior to and during graduate school, she worked in nonprofit fundraising, development, and project management. Over the past year, she interned with Buchanan County, Virginia’s Industrial Development Authority and focused her thesis on economic development in her grandmother's hometown of Jackson, Kentucky - experiences that deepened her commitment to serving the region. She is excited to bring this passion to her role as AFN’s Membership and Network Development Coordinator.
|
| |
|
Appalachian Big Ideas Fest |
"The Future is Local: Rooted, Connected, Empowered." |
|
|
|
This year's Big Ideas Festival is a multi-day virtual event, punctuated by in-person after parties, of connection and celebration, where communities, funders, artists, and institutions and practitioners come together to build a shared future grounded in local wisdom, healing, and joy. Led by practitioners, held with care, and open to all, this is a space for meaningful exchange, creative collaboration, and strategic visioning. The future begins here, by deepening roots and lifting voices. The Appalachia Funders Network is proud to be hosting a panel during the festival and encouraging everyone to participate. August 25th, 27th, and 29th | 9 AM - 2 PM Each Day. Learn more here.
|
|
|
| Appalachian Community Capital |
Donna Gambrell, President & CEO of Appalachian Community Capital Announces Retirement |
In 2013, the Appalachian Regional Commission made a lead investment in ACC of $3.45 million in equity and operating support. In ACC’s start-up phase, the organization raised $12 million in investments. Under her leadership, ACC–a CDFI wholesale intermediary–has grown from a start-up to a high-performing, mission-driven financial institution. Its membership has expanded from 12 to 41 community lenders, which now includes regional and national CDFI members. The members, whose assets under management total $3.5 billion, have used ACC capital to finance small businesses, renewable energy projects, manufacturing sites, elder care facilities, restaurants, and ecotourism, among other projects.
|
|
|
| Appalachian Regional Commission |
The Chartbook | A Data Overview of the Appalachian Region |
|
|
| Foundation for Appalachian Ohio |
Growing Home Fellowship: 2023-2025 Midpoint Impact Report |
In 2023, we launched the Growing Home Fellowship pilot to break through one of the greatest barriers to our region’s well-being: the outmigration of young people.
Halfway through this five-year program, we’re excited to share our latest Growing Home Fellowship Impact Report, highlighting the many ways our fellows are leading and serving across 29 Appalachian Ohio counties and all Pillars of Prosperity: https://lnkd.in/eSMt4N4T. |
|
|
| Appalachian Community Capital |
We’re excited to announce that Appalachian Community Capital has been awarded a Truist Foundation Western NC Recovery and Resiliency Fund grant from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to support Hurricane Helene recovery and resilience.
This funding will help ACC continue to deliver targeted, community-driven solutions to support disaster recovery and resilience in the Appalachian region—helping ensure that local economies not only recover, but thrive.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to invest in long-term, equitable recovery that strengthens the communities we serve.
Learn more: https://lnkd.in/daFY6sqX |
|
|
In Appalachia: Medicaid Cuts | |
|
Join us Thursday, August 7th at 2 PM EST for a conversation with the National Rural Health Association. Following legislation’s passing of OBBBA on July 2nd, we will discuss how the proposed Medicaid cuts will impact Appalachian counties and rural hospitals in the region. How can funders best (and most strategically) respond to this moment?
Please note: This conversation is being hosted by our Health group. but is open to call members of the network. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please contact us. |
|
| |
Request for Proposals Investing in Community Supports for Older Adults |
With Dogwood Health Trust’s purpose rooted in the health and wellbeing of all people and communities in the 18 counties and Qualla Boundary of Western North Carolina (WNC), we are opening a special funding opportunity focused on investing in community supports for older adults and for those that care for them. This funding opportunity offers grant support for organizations and efforts focused on improving the health and wellbeing of older adults (ages 60+) in the 18 counties and Qualla Boundary of Western North Carolina.
Applications accepted from July 7th - August 4th, 2025 |
|
|
| Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond |
Community Investment Training Program |
Do you work for a community development, nonprofit or faith-based organization or a local government entity in the Fifth District (Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia)? Do you have an existing or new community project idea in need of development assistance?
Applications for the training program are being accepted through August 20. Visit the Rural Investment Collaborative site to learn more about the program and to apply. |
|
|
| Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky |
Work With The Foundation For Appalachian Kentucky |
Lending & Finance Associate
This role is uniquely positioned at the intersection of finance and impact investing. The Lending & Finance Associate will be responsible for managing the full loan servicing cycle of our revolving loan funds while also supporting the organization’s broader financial operations. This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will work in close collaboration with the Director of Impact Investing, splitting responsibilities equally between lending/impact investing and finance. This is a full-time role with a hybrid work option of 1-2 days per week in our Hazard office.
Learn more about how to apply here. |
|
|
| Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky |
Upcoming Health for a Change Webinars
|
|
|
|
National Endowment for the Arts |
NEA has extended the FY26 Grants for Arts Projects 2 |
Application deadline for those organizations that are experiencing weather-related difficulties due to recent storms in Texas and North Carolina (e.g., power outages, lack of reliable internet access, etc.). For all other applicants, the application deadline will remain Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
Organizations must request an extension by contacting the NEA at weatheremergency@arts.gov no later than Thursday, July 24, 2025. Please be sure to include your name, location, the legal name of your organization, and your contact information. Very briefly, explain the weather-related difficulties due to recent storms in Texas and North Carolina that prevent you from submitting an application by July 17th.
| |
| | Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky |
Appalachian Tornado Relief Fund | Applications Open |
Applications are now open for relief grants for the survivors of the May 16th tornado in our region. Upper Cumberland Community Foundation, one of our affiliate community foundations, is determined to help those impacted by the devastating tornadoes recover and rebuild.
The funds raised for the Appalachian Tornado Relief Fund will be used to provide relief for individuals, small businesses, and organizations in Laurel, Pulaski, and Russell counties that were impacted by the May tornado. UCCF's grantmaking committee will then review applications and award funds.
Those seeking assistance can apply for the grant by visiting https://bit.ly/ekygrantapp. |
|
|
| Trump requests 93% cut to Appalachian Regional Commission. Ohio would take a huge hit. |
A separate report by the Appalachia Funders Network said the region faces “stark philanthropic inequities” as well, with a lack of nonprofit presence and “chronic underinvestment” in many areas, and 66 counties in Central Appalachia holding less than $1 per person in philanthropic assets, according to the May report. |
|
|
“The findings make clear that philanthropy must do more to show up equitably in places like Central Appalachia – but it cannot do this work alone,” the report stated. “Public systems and civic infrastructure are critical to sustained, long-term impact.” Read the full article here. |
|
|
|
| ‘Next time, we’ll be ready:’ Community resilience hubs take root in Western North Carolina |
"Now, the Celo Community Center is collaborating with Footprint, Atomic Solar, a local solar developer, and other partners to install a 9.6-kilowatt solar array and 20 kilowatt-hours of battery storage. |
|
|
Much of the solar equipment is donated, and the future resilience hub is receiving a grant from the Appalachia Funders Network’s Appalachian Helene Response Fund. The Appalachian Solar Finance Fund is a member of the funders network." Read the full article here. |
|
|
Press Forward Central Appalachia Quarterly Newsletter Summer 2025 |
Appalachia Funders Network coordinates and operates Press Forward Central Appalachia. When we formed the Chapter 12 months ago, it was our goal to do our first major round of funding in Summer 2025.
While we’ve taken a deliberately thoughtful pace in rolling out our first round of regional funding (shaped by ongoing listening and grounded in what we’re hearing from the field) we’ve stayed actively engaged. We’ve encouraged and supported Appalachian newsrooms in applying to national Press Forward opportunities through letters, strategic guidance, and sustained advocacy. Even as we build our own place-based program within a landscape shaped by decades of underinvestment, we’ve worked to ensure rural voices are not sidelined. We’re still on track for a summer/fall launch and remain committed to doing this right, with and for the region.
|
|
|
What's Good in Appalachia? |
|
|
July is Disability Pride Month in the Mountains! |
|
|
Disability has always been part of life in Central Appalachia, not as a side note, but as a central thread in the fabric of who we are. From coal miners disabled by black lung or paralyzed in mine collapses, to children living with developmental disabilities linked to toxic water and air, to elders navigating chronic illness without consistent care, disabled Appalachians have always been here, shaping our culture, our care, and our collective resilience. | |
|
This Disability Pride Month, we honor that truth, and the disabled people, past and present, who have carried this region through hard times and into new futures. |
|
|
We honor the wisdom of Appalachian elders who, living with chronic pain and illness, became informal healers and caregivers in communities where formal systems failed. We recognize the power of young disabled Appalachians today, fighting for accessible schools, building networks of support online, and imagining futures grounded in interdependence instead of isolation. |
|
|
Disability in Appalachia has long been entwined with extractive industry and environmental injustice. The rise of black lung disease, even among younger miners today, stands as one painful example. So do the mobility losses, amputations, and trauma that followed mining accidents. In counties impacted by mountaintop removal, communities report higher rates of cancer, respiratory illness, and birth defects, conditions that too often lead to disability, yet remain underacknowledged in the national conversation.
|
|
|
Disability pride in Appalachia doesn’t always look like headlines or hashtags. Often, it looks like a ramp built by hand, a ride to a distant clinic, a neighbor dropping off a hot meal with quiet understanding. It’s the mutual aid that has lived in our bones for generations. |
|
|
At the Appalachian Funders Network, we believe investing in Central Appalachia means listening to, learning from, and resourcing the disabled people who’ve always been here, often holding things together without recognition or rest. Disability justice is rural justice. It’s about access, yes, but also about leadership, creativity, kinship, and belonging. |
|
|
Other News That Caught Our Eye |
Do you have news or opportunities for collaboration you want to see highlighted in the next newsletter? Let us know! |
|
|
Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*
*{{Unsubscribe}}* |
| |
|
|
