Applications are due February 28 for ARC’s READY Nonprofits, which provides no-cost training and funding to help Appalachian nonprofits strengthen their operations, programming and fundraising.
Washington, D.C., January 15, 2025 – Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a notice of solicitations of applications (NOSA) for the second round of READY Nonprofits— a seven-week, capacity building training opportunity designed for nonprofits serving Appalachia’s 13-state, 423-county region. READY Nonprofits’ virtual, cohort-based training is designed to help Appalachia’s nonprofits better fulfill their missions and continue strengthening services for Appalachians by increasing their capacity in:
- Fundraising
- Programs and Operations
- Financial Management
- Board Development
- Human Capital (Human Resources)
- Marketing and Communications
- Grant Writing and Management
- Strategic Planning
Upon successful completion of the training program, eligible participants can apply for up to $25,000 in funding (no match required) from ARC to implement organizational capacity building projects.
“At ARC, we know that a nonprofit’s limited capacity can often be a barrier to the ways in which they’re able to serve their communities,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “We are so excited to offer a second round of READY Nonprofits training to support these crucial organizations in maximizing their missions to build a brighter future for our Appalachian neighbors.”
A pre-application webinar will be held on February 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Applications are due February 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
READY Nonprofits is a tailored track under ARC’s READY Appalachia initiative, which helps build individual, organizational and community capacity.
To date, READY Appalachia has served 75 nonprofits, 90 local government entities, 41 local development districts (LDDs) and 30 community foundations to help them build internal capacity and better serve communities. Nearly $4 million in funding (no match required) has been awarded through READY LDDs and more than $1.7 million through the first round of READY Nonprofits.
ARC will award more funding through READY Local Governments, READY Community Foundations and READY Grants to Grow. The latter is a new, $9 million funding opportunity that will award grants of up to $500,000 for capacity building projects.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
About READY Appalachia
READY Appalachia is an ARC initiative building individual, organizational and community capacity in the Appalachian Region. Offerings include no-cost, cohort-based training and funding access (no match required) for nonprofit organizations, local development districts (LDDs), local governments and community foundations serving the Appalachian Region. Additionally, READY Grants to Grow offers capacity building grant awards of up to $500,000, available to entities that are currently eligible to apply for ARC grants. Across all READY Appalachia offerings, special emphasis is placed on helping the region’s most under resourced and economically distressed communities increase their ability to solve pressing issues and create lasting, positive change.