The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

We Do Things Differently

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We are more than a traditional community foundation.

We do things differently

Learn about our

APPROACH

The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky brings together people, ideas and resources to build communities and encourage philanthropy.

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2022 Annual Report
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How We Work

We believe in consistently and intentionally shifting control back into the hands of local leaders.

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We Support Communities

We combine the stability of a traditional community foundation with the innovation of impact investing and supporting social enterprises.

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We Develop Leadership

We motivate and develop community leaders and eliminate barriers to growth.

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We Grow Assets

We connect resources to local people and programs creating equitable, lasting, and positive change.

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What Makes Us

DIFFERENT?

The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky meets communities where they are instead of telling them where they should be. Because, at the end of the day, we believe that investing in the people rooted in communities is the way to make them better.

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Join our team

We are currently hiring! See open positions and the benefits of working with the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky.

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Feature Fund
Invest your values with the Appalachian Impact Fund.

The Appalachian Impact Fund pursues relationships with startups, initiatives, and organizations that celebrate Appalachian culture and grow local economies. This fund provides both capital and connections to social entrepreneurs and projects in Appalachian Kentucky.

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Rising Where WE’re Rooted

Discover how we are helping to reclaim the power of community for Eastern Kentucky.

June 1, 2022

Celebrating Kentuckian and LGBTQ+ Activist, Lige Clarke

Elijah “Lige” Clarke (1942-1975) was a native of Hindman, Kentucky and a formative figure of the Queer Liberation Movement in the mid-20th Century. In the mid-1960’s, while he was in the US Army (with top security clearances, assigned to the Army’s Chief-of-Staff at the Pentagon), Lige would pass out gay rights pamphlets in the evenings…. KEEP READING

June 26, 2023

Johnson County Community Foundation Awards Grant to Main Street Players

The Johnson County Community Foundation recently awarded a $2500 grant to the Main Street Players to help support their organization and their community outreach programs. The Main Street Players is a local community theatre housed at the Historic SIPP Theater in Paintsville, KY. “The Johnson County Community Foundation is committed to seeing our community thrive… KEEP READING

March 13, 2023

Johnson County Community Foundation Awards Flood Recovery Grants

The Johnson County Community Foundation is helping three local organizations with flood recovery clean up this spring. The community foundation made three grants totaling $7,500 last week to local community organizations supporting community efforts. Grants of $2,500 each were made to The Veterans Referral Center, Paintsville Little League, and Johnson County Cal Ripken. “Being part… KEEP READING

March 1, 2023

Johnson County Community Foundation Launches 264 Club

Friends of Johnson County – there’s an exciting new way to support the area with the Johnson County Community Foundation’s 264 Club. This program is based around the 264 square miles of breathtaking beauty only found in Johnson County, Kentucky! The Community Foundation knows that each mile is treasured, and this giving club will help… KEEP READING