APPALACHIAN TRANSITION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2015 Community Foundation Informational Presentation

Technology Overview  Meeting chat – ask questions or make comments  Address to host (Rural Support Partners) or to everyone  Webinar is being recorded

AppFellows’ Vision The Appalachian Transition Fellowship (AppFellows) seeks to increase the connectivity, collaboration, and capacity of Central Appalachian institutions and leaders by building a collective analysis and seeding projects that solve regional systemic problems and foster a just and sustainable Appalachian economy

Presentation Overview  Resource and Management Team Introductions  AppFellows Background & Overview  Host Definition, Roles, Responsibilities, & Selection Criteria  Application Process  Community Foundation Roles & Benefits  AppFellows Match Funding Ideas

Resource & Management Team Introductions

Management Team  Highlander Research and Education Center

Resource Team Mary Hunt Benedum Foundation Sandra Mikush Babcock Foundation Robin Gabbard Foundation for Appalachian KY Michelle Decker Rural Action Stephanie Tyree WVA Hub Farhad Ebrahimi Tusculum College Steve Fisher Emory College Jacki Author Three Rivers Market Marlo Long BB&T Margaret Feieraband Bristol City Council

AppFellows Background & Overview

Background: Appalachian Transition

Background AppFellows

AppFellows Research Background  Research across Appalachia  Over 100 participants Focus groups: KY, OH, WV, VA, TN, NC 33 survey responses Face-to-face conversations  Best Practices Research  Organizations include: The Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellowship, The Center for Progressive Leadership, The CORO Fellows Program in Public Affairs

Research Findings  According to research participants an ideal regional fellowship would: Provide cross-sector placements Increase connectivity and capacity Support multi-generational leadership Invest in regional partnerships and organizational development

AppFellows Overview  Opportunity for work and learning  Targeted to 15 emerging leaders  Placement within host communities for 1 year  Fellows and hosts connected through monthly & quarterly training events  Involves research or implementation of a specific, practical project that helps the host organization and/or the region

Fellowship Projects  Fellows will be engaged in two projects: Cross-Sector Placement Project- Host Communities will identify a project and define activities to achieve project goals Individual Projects - Fellows will identify an extension of their cross-sector placement project where they will develop, identify goals & potential impact, and fundraise for this project

Host Community Projects  AppFellows projects include: Policy advocacy and research supporting communities’ reclamation of Abandoned Mine Lands and funds for sustainable new projects Local and regional food system development to expand access and improve health and sustainability Initiatives to expand job growth and economic vitality through worker-owned cooperatives Education, outreach, and implementation of exciting new energy efficiency projects in rural and urban Appalachia Documentation, story-gathering, and community outreach capturing Appalachian narratives of growth, resilience, and innovation

Fellow Project Ideas  A fellows’ individual project could include, for example: Policy research that inhibit or strengthen “green job” growth in West Virginia Filming, directing, & producing visual media that showcases the work within their host community In-depth interviews for best practices research within a particular sector Developing a media toolkit that will help launch a crowdsourcing project

Host Community Definition, Benefits, Roles & Responsibilities, Selection Criteria

Host Community  Two or three institutions from a Central Appalachian sub-region or a network of three or more institutions  Institutions represent at least two of the five following sectors: non-profit, business, government, education, and philanthropy.  Can rotate a fellow from one organization to another for a designated time or have a fellow work with multiple organizations consistently throughout the year

Host Community Benefits  An immediate capacity boost  Skill building tools  Staff & organizational development  Strengthened regional collaboration & connectivity  Peer learning opportunities around emerging initiatives happening within the region

Host Community Roles & Responsibilities  Work collaboratively with the management team to create a preliminary work plan, vision for fellows  Draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the fellowship outlining their roles and responsibilities to other hosts, their fellow, and the fellowship  Agree to attend quarterly gatherings  Allow fellows to meet their obligations to the fellowship  Secure at least half of the fellow's salary of $24,000

Host Community Criteria  Partnership between cross-sectoral network or 2-3 institutions  Projects rooted within the Appalachian Economic Transition Framework that support entrepreneurial opportunities within the promising sectors of renewable energy/energy efficiency, local food systems, health, and other sectors that support an economy based on human and natural assets of the region  Enthusiasm for supporting and encouraging the skills of emerging leaders  Commitment to developing sustainable and just economic development programs within Central Appalachia

Host Community Criteria (continued)  Works well with others on collective visions and goals  Maintains equitable and inclusive work environment  Understands their community and the issues they are committed to impacting  Can support at least half of the fellow's salary of $24,000 or ability to secure funding from an outside source

Application Process

Host Community Application & Selection Process  Prospective Host Communities will submit an interest application, via  Prospective hosts will outline their initial concept or project  Interest Application Priority Deadline: February 15, 2015  Management team will work with hosts to develop scope of work during extensive planning process for final application  Final Application Deadline: April 1, 2015

Fellow Application & Selection Process  Prospective Fellows will submit an application, via  Application Deadline: April 10, 2015  Three components application process: 1) application and resume; 2) signed Declaration of Commitment and Responsibility; and 3) 3 letters of recommendation  Interviews between Fellows and Host Communities will occur May 11-13, 2015  Final selection by May 30, 2015

Community Foundation Roles & Benefits

Community Foundation Roles  Community Foundations have strong partnerships in their local communities and can support this fellowship by: Identifying potential host organizations from their pool of grantees or in their community Providing grantees match salary support to host a fellow Connecting host communities and/or fellows to discretionary or technical assistance funds for projects Hosting a fellow in their own organization

Community Foundation Benefits  Participate in peer learning  Ground emerging leaders understanding of community foundations and philanthropic efforts to help build the next generation of community partners and philanthropists  Strengthen relationships with multiple sectors across the region  Community investment that will have regional impact  Ability to connect with public and private grant-makers to shape sustainable economic development in the region  Encourage collaboration among grantee partners

Cross-Sector Funding Ideas & Recommendations

Funding Sources  AppFellows will provide up to $12,000 match, travel, and educational & training support  We encourage community foundations to: Split fellow costs Partner with community, regional, and/or national foundations Approach larger foundations with discretionary funds

Moderated Questions & Answers Thank you for your time!

Host Interest Applications Due: February 15,

AppFellows Coming To A Town Near You!! AppFellows Management Team will host community outreach sessions to discuss fellowship project ideas, partnerships, and questions. Look for announcements for the following areas: Feb. 2, 2015 / 5 pm : Charleston, WV March 28, 2015 / 5 pm : Johnson City, TN More TBA Soon! Questions?

Contact Us!  Visit Us:  A recording of this webinar will be available on our website  General Information: x 229  Rural Support Partners  Funding, Speaking Engagements and Program: x 244 

Special Thanks  Current Funding Partners:  Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation  Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation  Ford Foundation  Rural Support Partners