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ARDPI LogoClick here for more information and links to download the Request for Proposals (RFP), grant guidelines, and a form to be used to apply for this round of ARDPI mini-grants.

Communities in 34 Southern and Eastern Kentucky counties are now eligible to apply for grant funding through the Appalachian Rural Development Philanthropy Initiative (ARDPI) to help advance philanthropic work and charitable giving throughout the region.

Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center for Rural Development, and Peter Hille, director of the Brushy Fork Institute, announced the organizations will be awarding ARDPI mini-grants funded through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in order to build and expand permanent charitable endowments in partnership with communities as a means to stop the outmigration of the region’s wealth.

Eligible communities in the 34 counties may apply for up to $10,000 in ARC funding support for community foundation capacity building mini-grant projects during this funding cycle.

These counties include: Those counties include: Adair, Bath, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Green, Harlan, Hart, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Lewis, Lincoln, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Robertson, Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne, and Wolfe.

Counties participating in ARDPI efforts must fit ARC’s classification as a “distressed” county.

The ARDPI mini-grants fit into the mission of the newly created initiative, which will work to encourage the building and expanding of permanent charitable endowments in partnership with Eastern Kentucky communities that will work to stop the outmigration of the region’s wealth and secure local assets to provide long-term resources for their communities.

The Center and Brushy Fork Institute are two of seven Kentucky-based partners in ARDPI. Others include the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, the Foundation for the Tri-State Community, Inc., Kentucky Philanthropy Initiative, and the Endow Kentucky Commission.

A community receiving ARDPI mini-grant funding should be advancing that community in developing a culture around philanthropy by one or more of the following:

  • Forming an organized committee or an advisory board for community philanthropy, representing a cross section of the community
  • Setting up a fund devoted to the community with an existing community foundation
  • Becoming an affiliate of an existing foundation
  • Engaging in other activities that specifically advance their community philanthropy goals

These communities will be encouraged to consider existing or established community foundations as a local resource and engage them in helping move the community forward during this process. ARDPI partners should be viewed as additional resources.

Grant proposals will be accepted through March 2, 2012, and must be submitted by mail to The Center for Rural Development, Attn: ARDPI/Patti Simpson, 2292 South Highway 27, Suite 300, Somerset, KY 42501. Notification of approval will be announced by March 30, 2012.

For more information on ARDPI mini-grant guidelines, contact Patti Simpson at The Center at 606-677-6000 or via email at arc@centertech.com, or Jane Higgins at the Brushy Fork Institute at 859-985-3436 or via email at higginsj@berea.edu.

All ARDPI projects awarded funding during this funding cycle must be completed within six months, beginning April 1 through Sept. 30, 2012.