Letcher County Establishes Community Foundation

Foundation for Appalachian Announces Letcher County Community Foundation Affiliate

(HAZARD, Ky)— The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is delighted to announce its newest affiliate, the Letcher County Community Foundation. 

Affiliate community foundations combine the passion of local people living within that community with the support and expertise of a nationally accredited foundation. The result? Real impact directed where a community needs it most. 

When affiliates are created, they are guided by an advisory board of local leaders responsible for addressing local needs and educating their neighbors about creating an endowment to benefit that community. This endowment establishes a lasting legacy in the form of a permanent savings account from which the advisory board can distribute grants based on the priorities and vision of the people within their community.

Affiliate Foundations formed under the umbrella of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky benefit from the administrative support, guidance and philanthropic expertise provided by its experienced staff.

“The affiliate program was created so we could work directly with the people whose generosity are growing the funds and directing meaningful community transformation,” said Kathy King Allen, Community Engagement Officer for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. “And we are thrilled to have Letcher County be a part of it.”

The Letcher County Community Foundation board members include Heather Combs (Chair), Angie Hatton, (Vice-Chair), Heather Burton (Secretary), Jeffery Justice (Treasurer), Damian Johnson, Valerie Horn, Larissa Bailey, and Seth Long. Though they will continue to develop their mission and goals, they are currently focused on flood recovery relief efforts and rebuilding their communities.

“Our Board is eager to begin to get our community involved,” said Heather Combs. “We are just getting started, and I’m already motivated by the vision we have for Letcher County to ensure that it continues to be a place we love to live and proud to call home.”

Local focus is the driving force of the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, and the affiliate community foundation network is an extension of that. When funding and decision making remains within the communities impacted, the priorities of the people can become a reality. The Foundation is proud to be a partner in Letcher County rising where it’s rooted.

To donate to the Letcher County Community Foundation fund, visit http://bit.ly/LetCoCF. You can also send checks to Letcher County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 632, Whitesburg, KY 41858.

Not pictured: Valerie Ison Horn