About Us

The Center for Appalachian Philanthropy is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in June of 2009. AppaPhil’s primary objective is to attract philanthropic investment in Appalachia and its purposes are to: (A) offer networking platforms and educational support services to nonprofits, and (B) provide and attract resources to help organizations fulfill their missions.

AppaPhil’s team, of highly qualified professionals from diverse backgrounds, focuses on: engaging communities, building relationships, developing strong leadership, and encouraging collaboration for change, thus creating a more just and sustained Appalachian region. It is concerned with solutions to fundamental problems like poverty, poor health, and low educational achievement.

AppaPhil provides training and support for nonprofit capacity building, facilitates social entrepreneurship, and acts as an incubator for new and needed programs in the rural counties of Appalachia. It serves to attract resources to the region, providing opportunities for philanthropic investment while sharing stories to reflect the good of philanthropy.

Promising Futures for Appalachian Communities

According to Appalachian researcher and historian, Dr. Ronald Eller, in his recent book, Uneven Ground, a summation of strategies for meeting the challenges endemic to Appalachia, there are several observations one should take into consideration when identifying what the roads to a new Appalachia should be:

• Appalachia is not the stereotype of the “Other America,” but a bell-weather to the challenges facing larger society.
• Growth and Development are not the same thing and for Appalachians, do not always lead to fair, secure, and sustainable development for everyone.
• Urban-based national models of growth are not always appropriate for rural places and the consolidation of public services into one place can cause the decline and neglect of others.
• Land use and extractive economies tend to produce social and economic inequality, environmental destruction, and short term growth – as has been the case in West Virginia.
• Development is a political act that requires democratic community engagement and open public debate.
• Leadership, creativity, and civic participation are essentials for successful communities.
• Community-based strategies produce more sustainable and equitable development than those based solely on national and global market priorities.

Recognizing these observations in relation to the needs of the distressed counties in central Appalachia, Dr. Eller offered three concepts for change: change how we understand place and how we understand our place in it; rebuild local and regional market relationships which provide greater sustainability and autonomy; and nurture a new generation of leaders and find a way to free them to dream and to think creatively.

Before its actual formation, the steering committee members who birthed the Center for Appalachian Philanthropy were guided by these observations and concepts of Dr. Eller. They recognize that Appalachian people tend to place great value in faith, family, community, honesty, independence, self-reliance (not self-sufficiency) and tradition. Termed mountain people, central Appalachian residents take pride in their cultural heritage and home, but that pride has been dulled by negative stereotypes from outside of the region, leaving a distrust of outsiders. Family is a key element of Appalachian rural society so family-centered and community-centered activities are highly valued.

The model developed by dedicated Appalachians with the Center for Appalachian Philanthropy focuses on a community-based framework using grassroots activities. Following Dr. Eller’s observations, creating a promising future for the residents requires a plan that supports the rebirth of the Appalachian heritage with pride and a promise that everyone has an opportunity for an abundant life. These concepts led to the Working Together to Build Strong Communities for Rural Appalachia model.

Organizational Background

The mission of the Center for Appalachian Philanthropy is to connect people’s time, talent, and treasure for the good of Appalachian communities. The vision of AppaPhil is to have well sustained Appalachian communities.

To meet its own mission, the Center for Appalachian Philanthropy operates five program areas: (1) Health and Human Services, (2) Non-profit Resources, (3) Building Community, (4) Faith-Based Partnerships, and (5) Growing Philanthropy. AppaPhil’s team of diverse, highly qualified professionals engages communities; helps organizations build relationships; develops strong leadership and encourages change. These actions result in socially just and sustainable communities that prepare people to bring positive change to the Appalachian region.

AppaPhil helps communities discover their own solutions to the fundamental problems of poverty, poor health, low educational achievement and disparities that plague Appalachia. It provides training and support that builds nonprofit organizational capacity, engages in social enterprise, and incubates new and needed programs in the rural counties of Appalachia. AppaPhil also works to attract resources to the region by providing opportunities for philanthropic investment while sharing stories that reflect the impact of philanthropy.

Primary Service Area

AppaPhil operates in the central Appalachian region, assisting the distressed and at-risk counties of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia.