Fahe Awards $2.4 Million to Strengthen Appalachian Nonprofits
Projects Recognized for Strategies to Increase Housing and Community Development
Fahe has awarded $2.4 million in Maximizing Appalachian Capacity (MAC) grants to support nine significant initiatives led by 11 nonprofit members throughout Appalachia. With this funding, recipients are set to leverage an impressive $19.4 million in additional resources, enhancing staff capacity, boosting housing production, creating job training opportunities, and ultimately serving over 600 households in the area.
As a vital intermediary for over 50 diverse housing nonprofits, Fahe established this award program to support outstanding member-led initiatives. These projects aim to enhance the capacity of Fahe members in delivering essential housing, workforce, and community development solutions in one of the nation's most economically challenged areas.
According to Fahe CEO Jim King, "Appalachia's future hinges on strong local institutions. These awards empower our members with the necessary funding to pursue tools, talent, and infrastructure that will accelerate housing and community development region-wide."
An esteemed awards committee evaluated nine collaborative projects from a competitive pool, which included 37 applications across five states. The collective funding requests reached $11,817,372, highlighting the urgent needs across the region. If additional funds were available, all 37 applicants could leverage $230 million to serve nearly 1,500 households.
Fahe President Sara Morgan emphasized, "We advocate for resources that advance practical solutions. Each project we funded reflects a deep understanding of local needs, showcasing our commitment to fostering opportunities in rural Appalachian communities. While we have more member projects waiting for funds, we are thrilled to announce these awards today."
Dana Bezerra, Regional President, Americas for CREO and an awards committee member, added, "We're empowering organizations that understand their communities best, enhancing their capacity to effect meaningful change. We're excited to scale these solutions, defining a new era of opportunity for Appalachia."
Awarded Projects Led by Fahe Members
- CAPNA (AL) – $400,000 designated for a 10-acre affordable housing site developing 22 homes in Decatur, Alabama, alongside the Neighborhood Promise Training Center. This initiative includes new financial literacy programs and homebuyer assistance funds to help families achieve homeownership, promoting housing, education, and economic mobility throughout the region.
- HomeOwnership Center (WV) – $70,000 to launch a below-market construction loan program supporting local developers in building affordable homes in rural areas of West Virginia. This program aims to reduce financing barriers while expanding internal lending capacity by training staff in commercial lending, enabling new revenue streams and a replicable model for rural communities.
- HomeSource East Tennessee (TN) & Oak Ridge Housing Authority (TN) – $310,122 to create a shared Resource Development Officer position aimed at expanding fundraising efforts, building donor relationships, and enhancing long-term capacity for both organizations. This role is vital for unlocking new capital sources, attracting investment to boost affordable housing production in the greater Knoxville area.
- Knoxville Leadership Foundation (TN) – $400,000 for transforming the historic Swan Bakery into a 25,000 square foot vocational training center, serving as a hub for workforce development and supportive housing initiatives. This investment will significantly enhance the capacity of its KnoxWorx skilled trades training program by adding new facilities, classrooms, and partnerships with employers.
- Loudon County Habitat for Humanity (TN) & Blount County Habitat for Humanity (TN) – $381,026 allocated for a full-time grant writer to enhance institutional funding expertise, ensuring the sustainability of repair and homebuilding programs while expanding affordable housing options across both counties.
- Mountain T.O.P. (TN) – $150,000 to initiate a partnership with Housing Hub, launching a 12-week workforce development program and establishing a revolving capital fund for home repairs in rural Tennessee. This initiative will develop essential trade skills among young adults while bolstering home repair capacity in the area.
- Open Door Community (VA) – $245,000 to establish an apprenticeship program integrating housing development with workforce training for individuals reentering the workforce after recovery or incarceration. Participants will gain hands-on experience in building homes, with proceeds reinvested into their Housing Can't Wait fund for future projects, addressing workforce shortages and enhancing local recovery pathways.
- Religious Coalition for Community Renewal (WV) – $115,852 allocated for a strategic redevelopment initiative on Charleston's West Side, transforming three neglected properties into nine affordable homes through new construction and renovation. This project will implement a replicable tenancy-to-homeownership model with comprehensive support, promoting community improvement and expanding affordable housing pathways.
- Woodlands Development and Lending (WV) – $328,000 to set up two local Housing Investment Funds in Tucker and Randolph Counties, providing low-interest loans for community-driven development, offering a reliable platform for local investors to support such initiatives.
About the MAC Grant Awards
Fahe launched this competitive grant program as part of their Housing Can't Wait campaign, focusing on expanding affordable housing access in Appalachia by a set future date. The MAC grant application was designed by Fahe members, with an expert committee assessing applications based on strategy, readiness, and anticipated impact. A future report will detail the impacts achieved through these funded projects.
The funding for the MAC Grant Awards was sourced from an unrestricted grant received from the Yield Giving foundation. This generous financing empowered Fahe to allocate funds in the most effective manner aligned with its mission.
About Fahe
Fahe is dedicated to uniting people, organizations, and resources to build homes, strengthen communities, and foster a thriving Appalachian region. Since its inception in 1980, Fahe and its members have invested nearly $5 billion, positively impacting over one million individuals through housing initiatives, advocacy, and local leadership. For further information, please visit www.fahe.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the goals of the MAC Grant Awards?
The MAC Grant Awards are designed to expand access to affordable housing and community development across Appalachia.
How much funding was awarded to the organizations?
Fahe awarded $2.4 million to support nine nonprofit projects across Appalachia.
What impact do these grants aim to achieve?
The grants aim to leverage $19.4 million in additional funding, creating jobs and improving housing conditions for over 600 households.
Who oversees the selection of grant recipients?
A distinguished awards committee evaluates the applications based on strategy, readiness, and potential impact.
What is Fahe's role in the community?
Fahe serves as an intermediary, supporting a network of housing nonprofits to facilitate community development and economic growth in Appalachia.
