Just Transition Fund

As one of our Coal Communities Get Ready! Challenge winners, Boom KY is using technology and innovation to transform startup culture in Eastern Kentucky, one of the regions hit hardest by the decline of coal jobs. Through partnerships with local school districts across six counties, they're implementing their flagship initiative, Boom GPT, where they'll provide personalized guidance, resources, and training to help youth and adults launch startups and dive into the world of artificial intelligence. ?? Meet the rest of the 2024 cohort! https://lnkd.in/gZisriHq #JustTransition #EconomicDevelopment #CoalCommunities?#CCGR2024 #Innovation

Say hello to Marissa Berkley, our Grants and Program Manager! ???? Marissa’s journey from her AmeriCorps service in Newark, NJ, to managing complex grant portfolios shaped her deep commitment to equity and social impact - which is why she's a great fit for us at the JTF. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Northwestern, a heart for community development, and she’s making a huge impact as our Grants and Program Manager. Learn more about Marissa and her work with our hard-hit coal communities: https://lnkd.in/g__QEcbk

Broadband has the potential to transform the future of work for rural areas, and the lack of access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet and digital skills has kept this transformation out of reach. Congratulations to JTF grantee John A. Timney at Washington County Authority on their continued work connecting corners of their community and improving their digital infrastructure! #Broadband #JustTransition

As one of our inaugural Coal Communities Get Ready! Challenge winners, KYFC KEEP YOUR FAITH CORPORATION in Charleston, West Virginia is focused on supporting the social, health, and economic needs of their community. As the community has experienced the impacts of the decline of the coal industry, they're working to build a holistic and culturally sensitive workforce development model, one that addresses the unique needs of rural communities. For the next year, they'll build readiness to apply for federal investment. Learn more about Keep Your Faith Corporation's project and meet the full 2024 cohort here: https://lnkd.in/gZisriHq #CCGR2024 #JustTransition #CoalCommunity?

Webinar opportunity for coal communities! How can you turn natural resources and conservation into sustainable economic growth? Join National Association of Counties' (NACo) upcoming BRECC webinar, "How to Champion Your Coal Community's Natural Resources" on Thursday, November 21, 2–3 p.m. EDT on how to harness the power of public lands and federal partnerships! Hear from a lineup of incredible speakers from The Conservation Fund, Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia, Inland Woods + Trails, and NACo about turning public lands into community assets, building trails that boost local economies, and creating sustainable forests for future generations in coal-impacted communities. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gVCDMXpN #NaturalResources #EconomicDevelopment #CoalCommunities #JustTransition #NACo #BRECC

If you're a funder in Appalachia, we hope you'll join us along with Appalachia Funders Network on 11/18 for a post-election debrief conversation. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gJmVS5ns

Meet Audrey Josephson-Day, Manager of our Federal Access Center! Growing up in Washington State, Audrey saw firsthand the disparities between rural and urban communities, fueling her passion for equity. She has a rich background in nonprofit education and economic development, and at the JTF, she’s dedicated to connecting coal communities to the resources they need for a sustainable future. She brings a unique blend of research, outreach, and heartfelt commitment to her work every day. Learn more about Audrey: https://lnkd.in/g3FiVE8A ???? #JustTransition #TeamSpotlight

Today, JTF grantee Erika Yarber, Chief Operations Officer at Wind River Development Fund, joined our team virtually to facilitate an informational session about her work and experience applying for federal funding and securing $36M from the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Distressed Areas Recompete Pilot Program earlier this year. Wind River provides capital and technical assistance to local entrepreneurs and businesses to expand and develop Indigenous-led enterprises near the Wind River Indian Reservation. On the heels of our National Convening in October where Erika presented during one of our learning labs, shared the main stage as one of our featured storytellers, and was a panelist about place-based economic development, our team was eager to connect with her! As a proud member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and a descendant of the Shoshone Tribe, Erika's passion and commitment to her people and her community fuels her to contribute to building a sustainable, resilient, and economically vibrant future for the Wind River Reservation. We had the chance ask questions about the projects funded through winning Recompete (including ecotourism, a buffalo cultural center, food sovereignty, healthcare, job placement, governance, and land sovereignty), the challenges the Reservation faces, how she handles apprehension from community members, and the impact of JTF's funding as a grantee. Our deepest thanks to Erika for spending time with our team today! Learn more about Wind River's work here: https://wrdf.org/ #JustTransition #JTFGrantee #FederalFunding

Coal communities around the country are making significant strides to advance their economies, create jobs, and support workers. Thank you to our partners at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for creating the newest spotlight in their Clean Energy Jobs video series! #JustTransition #CoalCommunities

We recently partnered with TLL Temple Foundation for the first time to support a broadband initiative with the East Texas Council of Governments. Together, we've co-funded $100K to cover grantwriting costs, ensuring every county in East Texas has the resources to pursue critical federal broadband funds. Access to broadband is essential for economic resilience and opportunity, and this partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to supporting locally-led initiatives to strengthen communities. Learn more about TLL Temple Foundation's commitment to East Texas in their recently co-authored piece inside Stanford Social Innovation Review. https://lnkd.in/g8Remfis #BroadbandAccess #JustTransition #EastTexas #DigitalEquity