How We Build a Stronger Appalachia

OUR APPROACH

At the Appalachian Community Fund, we don’t just give away money—we invest in the future of our region. To do that, we use a simple plan that focuses on the people, places, and skills that make our mountain communities thrive.

We break our work down into three main parts: What we fund, Where change happens, and the Tools neighbors use to make it last.

Two women standing at a wooden fence, overlooking a scenic view of rolling hills and mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
A digital illustration of a light blue face mask with white stitching details, set against a black background.

What We Fund:
The Foundations

Think of these as the "anchors" of our work. These are the concrete things that need investment to get a project off the ground.

  • People: We invest in local leaders, storytellers, and organizers—the people who live the work every day and know their communities best.

  • Places: We support the land and the buildings that hold our history, from community centers to shared gardens where neighbors gather.

  • Stories: We fund the ways we tell our own history; through art, media, and archives. This helps us reclaim our power and change how the world sees Appalachia.

  • Systems: We back the "behind-the-scenes" work, like new policies and local networks, that create the right conditions for everyone to succeed.

A busy street scene with a crowd of people, storefronts, and signage, including a 'CHECK O R OOF TO PATIO' sign, with rolling hills or mountains in the background.

Where Change Happens:
Our Daily Lives

Change isn't just about one project; it’s about improving the different "worlds" we all live in.

  • Culture: The traditions and big dreams that give us a sense of who we are.

  • Our Environment: The water, land, and homes we rely on to stay safe and healthy.

  • Care: The way we look out for one another, from healthcare to passing down wisdom to the next generation.

  • Economy: How we make a living and keep resources within our own communities.

Two women at a scenic overlook, one with curly hair and the other with long hair and sunglasses, leaning on a wooden railing and looking at a mountainous landscape with scattered clouds in the sky.
A light blue disposable face mask with white stitching details, partially hanging.
A teal-colored face mask with white dashed lines around the edges, lying on a reflective surface.

The Tools for Success:
What We Do Together

To keep our communities strong, we help neighbors build the "muscles" or skills needed to lead.

  • Imagination: The power to dream up and build a better future together.

  • Infrastructure: The "know-how" to manage the systems and buildings our towns depend on.

  • Relationship: The trust we build when we work side-by-side through hard times.

  • Agency: The ability to take the reins, own our work, and have a real say in what happens to our futures.

How It All Fits Together

A rectangular piece of bread with evenly spaced, dashed lines around the edges.

Foundations

The people and places we build with.

Close-up image of a green tennis ball with dotted lines around its circumference.

Daily Lives

Our culture and economy are the rooms we live in.

Tools

Our imagination and relationships are the skills we use to keep the house standing for generations to come.

A gray, cone-shaped craft with small round windows, black nose, and a purple parachute deploying from the top.

By focusing on all three, we move beyond "band-aid" fixes and work toward real, lasting change led by the people of Appalachia.

Invest in Change, Not Charity.


Join us in building a future where every Appalachian neighbor has the power to thrive.

Contact Us