How much funding does Appalachian Solar Finance Fund provide?

Appalachian Solar Finance Fund provides $1,500,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Appalachian Solar Finance Fund?

The funder has not published a deadline for this grant.

Who is eligible for Appalachian Solar Finance Fund?

Eligible applicants: 184 coal-impacted counties; Nonprofit organizations.

Appalachian Solar Finance Fund

Appalachian Voices

Foundation Solar Energy Grants Environmental Grants Community Development Grants

Funding Amount

$1,500,000

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

184 coal-impacted counties
Nonprofit organizations

Other requirements

Central Appalachia
Coal-impacted communities across the region
Public buildings
Commercial enterprises

Overview

Issuing Organization: Appalachian Voices

The Appalachian Solar Finance Fund is a project to catalyze commercial and institutional solar projects in coal-impacted communities throughout Central Appalachia.

Focus Areas

Commercial and institutional solar energy projects
Economic growth in coal-impacted communities
Solar development in emerging local markets

Geographic Scope

Central Appalachia
Coal-impacted communities across the region
184 coal-impacted counties

Funding Structure

Total Award: $1.5 million awarded to Appalachian Voices by the Appalachian Regional Commission (September 16, 2021)
Part of larger package: $46.4 million package supporting 57 projects across 184 coal-impacted counties through ARC's POWER Initiative
Subgrant awards: Select subgrant awards for solar projects on nonprofit and public buildings
Additional strategies: Investment and credit enhancement strategies; competitive contracts for technical assistance for solar installations on commercial enterprises

Eligible Recipients

Nonprofit organizations
Public buildings
Commercial enterprises

Partners

Central Appalachian Network
Partner Community Capital
Invest Appalachia
New Resource Solutions
Appalachian Investment Ecosystem Initiative (additional support)
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation (additional support)

Background

The fund deploys targeted financial tools to jumpstart emerging local solar markets and unlock new commercial and institutional solar energy projects that face unique barriers due to region-specific challenges. The resulting solar projects produce employment opportunities, business creation, new investments and wealth retention in Central Appalachian communities directly impacted by the decline in the coal economy.

How to Apply

Application Process

No specific application details provided on the website
Interested parties should sign up for updates about announcements
Contact project manager for more information: autumn.long@appvoices.org
Visit the Solar Finance Fund website for additional details

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What Appalachian Voices actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2024

Grants in 2024: 24
Total given: $515K
Median grant: $18K
Range: $5,400–$129K

By dollars: Kentucky 49%, West Virginia 37%, Virginia 9%. Top recipient cities: Huntington, WV; Morgantown, WV; Inez, KY.
0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Example grants

Martin County Health Department · Inez, KY

Solar energy project

$129K
Cabell County Public Library · Huntington, WV

Solar energy project

$34K
Renewall Inc · Huntington, WV

Solar energy project

$33K
Steele Memorial United Methodist Church · Barboursville, WV

Solar energy project

$25K
Neon First Church of God · Neon, KY

Solar energy project

$24K