Funding Criteria

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Our Ideal Grantee

We invest in community-led initiatives that build local leadership, create economic opportunity, and strengthen the social fabric of Central Appalachia through the principle of "Change, Not Charity".

We fund organizations that have developed a realistic plan for creating social change and prioritize work that utilizes organizing and education as strategies to achieve this end.  We invite projects that are startup in nature and historically underresourced.

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We fund organizations working to:

  • Foster a connected community by ensuring every neighbor is appreciated, regardless of their background, identity, or ability.

  • Cultivate safe and peaceful communities where every neighbor can live, work, and grow without fear.

  • Build transparent, community-led organizations rooted in strengthening the social fabric of Appalachia, welcoming to all voices, and guided by the people they serve.

Street view of an art studio building with a brick wall, string lights overhead, a gated entrance on the left, and a small open gate on the right. The sky is clear with strong shadows on the ground.
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Organizational Readiness

Organizations wishing to apply must:

  • Work in Central Appalachia.  For organizations based outside the region, the proposal must include a specific work plan for the Appalachian portion of the work

  • Have their 501(c)(3) tax exempt status or a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) organization

  • Be community-led, community-driven, and community-based

  • Strive for change at a systemic level, instead of or in addition to one person at a time

  • Demonstrate an understanding of forms of oppression — especially racism

  • Have strong local community leadership representative of and accountable to the organization’s constituency

Interested in building a cohort with us?

Contact Us