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December 20, 2021

AIF’s Co-Founder Reflects on Impact

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Impact. Often an ill used word, sometimes obvious, sometimes not so much. 

The work- “impact”- of AIF over the past five years has been obvious in helping business, their employees and families within the region survive pandemics, floods, and the collapse of a mono-economy. Perhaps not so obvious is how AIF  touches so many individually through elevating foodways, facilitating childcare options, and supporting creative programming to manage the curse of drug addiction. 

Since inception, AIF’s work has been far reaching in spite of limited but growing funding, driven by the thoughtfulness of an informed and unrelenting staff and board. At five years, an enormous ‘thank you’ to all engaged with AIF, a resounding ‘thank you’ to the numerous supportive funders and AIF partners. The next five years and the future is a calling to take this work, with nothing like it in the region, to new heights…one obvious or not so obvious impact at a time.

-Brook Smith
Co-Founder and Donor 
Appalachian Impact Fund

Five Years of Impact

Over $4,660,000

In grants to regional nonprofits, small businesses, social enterprises, and disaster relief efforts 


$1,520,000 

In impact investments supporting energy efficient and affordable housing, downtown revitalization, small business, and consumer lending 


4 

Historic downtown properties stabilized, redeveloped, or under construction 

Over $7,500,000 

In additional funding for Eastern Kentucky leveraged through our grantmaking, technical assistance, and matching investments. 


Over 1,430  

Jobs supported 


Over 660  

Small businesses supported 

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