AFN Mini Conference 2020
On April 14-15, the Appalachia Funders Network met virtually to host it's first ever mini-conference. The Conference began with a day of group meetings - Equity, Energy & Natural Resources, Health, Food & Agricultural Systems, Arts & Culture, and Downtown Revitalization. On April 15, the Network held three informative sessions on the economy, funding best practices, and new opportunities during COVID-19 for members.
Please view recordings, materials, and links of the April 15th sessions below
Economic Update hosted by the Federal Reserve Banks of Cleveland and Richmond
This session began with a broad overview of the National Economy led by Sonya Waddell, senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Then she highlighted state level data of West Virginia and Virginia. Afterwards, Emily Pacetti, VP of Community Affairs at the Cleveland Federal Reserve, went over data and survey results from KY, OH, and PA. The Panelists then took questions from the Network.
https://vimeo.com/408869830
Resources shared by panelists:
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond - Community Development Response to COVID-19
View Sonya's presentation slides here.
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland - Community Development
Appalachian Funder Response to COVID-19
This session explored the way the Appalachia Funders Network is responding to crisis and how funders across the region are innovating their practice to adjust to the COVID-19 landscape. Funders were from notable organizations across the region: Appalachian Regional Commission, the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, Appalachian Impact Fund, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and the Educational Foundation of America.
https://vimeo.com/408854697
CDFI & Loan Fund Networking Hour
This session was focused on CDFIs and Loan Funds. It began with an introduction to the Network and was followed by a spirited discussion of the CDFI landscape in COVID-19.