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

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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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2021 Annual Report

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.

Explore our community affiliates
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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

November 22, 2022

Introducing the Knott County Community Foundation

Welcome to the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is pleased to announce its newest affiliate, the Knott County Community Foundation.  The affiliate program was created to combine deep understanding of community priorities and passion of local people with the support and expertise of a nationally accredited foundation. When these two come… KEEP READING

November 22, 2022

Introducing the Johnson County Community Foundation

Welcome to the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is thrilled to announce its newest affiliate, the Johnson County Community Foundation.  When the Foundation developed its affiliate community foundation network, they wanted to use the experience that comes with being a nationally accredited community foundation to support the local passions and priorities… KEEP READING

November 22, 2022

Introducing the Letcher County Community Foundation

Welcome to the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is delighted to announce its newest affiliate, the Letcher County Community Foundation.  Affiliates community foundations combine the passion of local people living within that community with the support and expertise of a nationally accredited foundation. The result? Real impact directed where a community… KEEP READING