Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc
Based in Berea, Kentucky, Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc is a nonprofit public charity established in 1976. It works in Eastern Kentucky to build a new economy through flexible loans, business and nonprofit support, energy services, and community initiatives.
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc at a glance
In short: Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc gave $973K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $97K), mostly in Kentucky. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $973,146
- +27.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +42.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $97,315
- -11.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $35,347,429
- -7.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (5 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Kentucky (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 433 Chestnut St, Berea, KY 40403
Phone: (859) 986-2373
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kentucky Coalition ($400K). Together the top 10 received $973K.
Grant Size Distribution
46 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 46 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization says it serves the 54 Appalachian counties of Kentucky. In 2025, 92% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Kentucky, 6% to North Carolina, 2% to Ohio, and 1% to Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 10 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $69K; repeat grants $126K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $55K repeat.
- 30% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−9%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $637K (2020) to $2.2M (2021). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $973K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Coalition London, KY | Support Public Ed | $400,000 |
| Appalacian Investment Corp Berea, KY | Usda IRP Match | $220,000 |
| Housing Oriented Ministries Inc Whitesburg, KY | Solar Project | $134,096 |
| Appalachian Voices Boone, NC | Appalachia Coalition | $55,000 |
| Laurel County African American Heritage Center London, KY | Solar Project | $50,000 |
| Martin County Health Department Inez, KY | Solar Project | $50,000 |
| Martin County School District Inez, KY | Solar Project | $20,000 |
| Presbyterian Child Welfare Agency Buckhorn, KY | Solar Project | $20,000 |
| Rural Action The Plains, OH | Solar Project | $19,000 |
| Learning Landscapes Portland, OR | Community Project | $5,050 |
Ready to take the next step with Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In its 2024 filing, the organization reported a combined loan portfolio with its affiliated Appalachian Investment Corporation of 209 loans totaling approximately $22.2 million at fiscal year end. It also reported approximately 50 loans closed during fiscal year 2025, disbursing a total of $10,218,291.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,347,429 | $6,960,560 | $6,933,941 | $973,146 | 10 | $45,726 |
| 2024 | $38,008,155 | $8,094,633 | $5,452,825 | $765,191 | 7 | $67,497 |
| 2023 | $35,661,726 | $6,043,653 | $4,549,571 | $721,752 | 5 | $63,292 |
| 2022 | $33,227,736 | $8,576,709 | $4,193,321 | $1,069,494 | 11 | $24,690 |
| 2021 | $28,716,288 | $4,372,361 | $5,689,729 | $2,182,510 | 13 | $19,636 |
| 2020 | $29,767,514 | $4,177,710 | $5,578,299 | $636,980 | 16 | $15,136 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to build a new economy by offering flexible loans and technical support to existing and startup businesses and organizations; helping businesses, nonprofits, public agencies, and homeowners find energy savings; and engaging in research, communications, and advocacy for policy and narrative change. It also works with partners on projects to demonstrate what is possible in Eastern Kentucky.
Its website describes support for small businesses, nonprofit leaders, and local governments through loans, customized business guidance and training, and energy services such as bill analysis, efficiency and solar assessments, financing, and grant-application assistance. The organization also describes working with communities on place-based economic development and collaborating through regional networks.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 10 grants totaling $973,146. Grant amounts ranged from $5,050 to $400,000, with a median grant of $50,000.
The largest grants included $400,000 to Kentucky Coalition in London, Kentucky, for public education; $220,000 to Appalachian Investment Corporation in Berea, Kentucky, for USDA IRP match; and $134,096 to Housing Oriented Ministries Inc in Whitesburg, Kentucky, for a solar project. Other reported grants included $55,000 to Appalachian Voices for an Appalachia coalition and $50,000 each to Laurel County African American Heritage Center and Martin County Health Department for solar projects.
The grantees describe their own work in varied terms. Kentucky Coalition says it supports grassroots organizing, leadership development, and public education around public policy. Appalachian Investment Corporation says it works to increase economic activity in Appalachian Kentucky. Appalachian Voices says it brings people together to protect land, air, and water and advance a just transition to a clean-energy economy. Rural Action says it works to build a more just economy through environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable development.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Peter Hille and Robin Gabbard as presidents; William Coomes as corporate vice president; Kacie Zechman and Rhonda Stapleton as corporate secretaries; Toni Wells as corporate secretary; Hasan Davis as chair; Mandi Sheffel as vice chair; Wayne Riley as member; and Ada Smith as treasurer.
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc is led by Peter Hille, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Peter Hille
President
Board Member & Corporate → Board Member & Corporate President, 2023
Board Member & Corporate President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$132K (2020) → $167K (2025)
Robin Gabbard
President
Board Member & Chair → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$93K (2025)
Hasan Davis
Chair
Board Secretary → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kacie Zechman
Corporate Tr
Corporate Treasurer → Corporate Tr, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$42K (2020) → $94K (2025)
William Coomes
Corporate Vice President
Corporate Secretary → Corporate Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$78K (2021) → $93K (2025)
Toni Wells
Corporate Se
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$74K (2024) → $80K (2025)
Rhonda Stapleton
Corporate Se
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$74K (2025)
Ada Smith
Treasurer
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2021
Board Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wayne Riley
Member
Board Member → Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mandi Fugate Sheffel
Vice Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Martina Leforce (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Corey Craig (2020–2023) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Mary Whaley (2020–2023) — Corporate Vice President
- Former: Jason Coomes (2022–2023) — Corporate Secretary
- Former: Jodi Stacy (2020–2022) — Board Secretary
- Former: David Wilkerson (2021–2022) — Corporate Treasurer
- Former: Holli Powell (2020) — Former Treasurer
- Former: Megan Naseman (2020) — Corporate Secretary
- Former: Vonda Poynter (2020) — Board Member & Board Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $167K, to Peter Hille (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc
How much does Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc give each year?
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc gave $973K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $765K across 7 grants.
What is Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc's typical grant size?
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $97,315, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc that year got $69K on average.
Where does Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc give grants?
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc gives mostly in Kentucky: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was North Carolina (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were London, KY (2 grants) and Inez, KY (2 grants).
Does Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Solar Project" (6 grants).
Who are Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc's largest grantees?
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Kentucky Coalition ($400,000), Appalacian Investment Corp ($220,000) and Housing Oriented Ministries Inc ($134,096), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 77% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc?
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc reported $35.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.0M.
What does Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to build a new economy by offering flexible loans and technical support to existing and startup businesses and organizations; helping businesses, nonprofits, public agencies, and homeowners find energy savings; and engaging in research, communications, and advocacy for policy and narrative change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc?
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc's EIN?
Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-0900246. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 25, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mountain-association-for-community-economic-development-inc-morg_bd529993caf044c5ba61deb3b4654e5d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_310900246_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mountain-association-for-community-economic-development-inc-morg_bd529993caf044c5ba61deb3b4654e5d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Mountain Association for Community Economic Development Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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