With all of the conversation about community-centered and participatory grantmaking approaches, how are foundations applying similar values and practices in their impact investing? As foundations make steps to liberate their philanthropic assets and deepen their impact beyond grantmaking, maintaining accountability to community remains a critical yet tricky value to uphold.

Join IRSG for Part 2 of our rural impact investing series to explore how Invest Appalachia is utilizing innovative approaches to community accountability and risk-mitigation in its multifaceted model. Crucial to this work is IA’s Community Advisory Council (CAC), which is a self-governing body of community and economic development practitioners that set IA’s Catalytic Capital investment priorities, refine impact goals and tracking, and assist with pipeline development. Based on CAC guidance and partner referrals, IA provides grant-based catalytic capital resources to help bridge capital and capacity gaps that move projects from investment-worthy to investment-ready. Blending catalytic capital (TA, predevelopment, and credit enhancements) with flexible repayable investment allows Appalachian non-profits, social enterprises and for-profit businesses to build locally-rooted wealth as well as community power for deepened and sustained impact.

This event will offer the opportunity to hear from and engage with Appalachian community partners who are benefiting from IA’s blended capital investing to support pathways to education and economic justice for survivors, offer climate disaster response and preparedness, foster diversified local food and agricultural economies, and more.