Invest Appalachia is a regional impact investment platform that supports under-resourced communities and helps increase investment in community development projects and local businesses. It focuses on key economic sectors, including clean energy.
At the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund (SFF), we know that driving economic growth and opportunity in Central Appalachia requires strong partnerships and trusted collaborators. That’s why we’re proud to call Invest Appalachia one of our founding partners and key allies in advancing projects that create lasting financial benefits for our region’s communities.
Since day one, Invest Appalachia has played a vital role on the SFF leadership team, bringing their expertise in impact investing and community development to the table. Together, we’ve worked hand-in-hand to connect under-resourced local institutions—nonprofits, businesses, and municipalities—with the financial tools and strategic guidance needed to launch successful projects that strengthen local economies.
In Partnership With Solar Finance Fund, Invest Appalachia has:
- Provided over $2.4 Million in financing for small and medium scale solar projects across Appalachia
- Millions of more dollars for projects currently working their way through intake and underwriting
- Provide local businesses and nonprofits with the financial backing needed to move forward confidently
A Proven Track Record of Impact
Invest Appalachia has helped us accelerate our mission by providing critical investment dollars that move projects forward. Their team understands the challenges rural and small-town communities face when pursuing complex initiatives, and they know how to deliver flexible, smart financial solutions that remove barriers to success. In collaboration with the SFF, IA has provided over $2.4 Million in financing for small and medium scale solar projects across Appalachia in just the past two years, with Millions more for projects currently working their way through intake and underwriting.
One standout example of our collaboration is the Huntington City Mission solar project in West Virginia. This larger-scale project required significant capital to cover both solar installation costs and necessary structural upgrades. Working alongside Solar Holler, Invest Appalachia stepped in to provide $200,000 in unsecured bridge financing, ensuring the Mission could take advantage of future tax credits without delay. Combined with an SFF sub-award and technical support, this partnership turned an ambitious project into a reality—allowing the Mission to focus on serving Huntington’s most vulnerable populations while realizing significant long-term cost savings.
Why Invest Appalachia is an Essential Partner
What makes Invest Appalachia invaluable to our work isn’t just their financial contributions—it’s their deep commitment to the region and their ability to unlock funding from multiple sources. Their regional focus and strong relationships mean we can offer more tailored, sustainable solutions to local leaders and institutions.
By working with Invest Appalachia, the SFF is able to:
- Leverage millions of additional investment dollars to strengthen projects.
- Provide local businesses and nonprofits with the financial backing needed to move forward confidently.
- Accelerate economic development across all ARC counties in West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
- Innovate new investment approaches to support local energy resilience through solar microgrids and resilience hubs, including in recovery and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene.
Together, we are building stronger, more resilient local economies—ensuring that communities across Central Appalachia have the tools and resources they need to thrive.Practical Tools for Nonprofits
One of our favorite success stories from this partnership is the solar project at Howell’s Mill Christian Assembly. It used an SFF grant and bridge loan from Invest Appalachia to install its solar system while waiting for federal incentive payouts.
Ready to Start Your Project?
At SFF, we specialize in working with nonprofits, local governments, schools, and local businesses to provide expert consulting and tailored financing solutions to help turn the solar project of your dreams into reality. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or need help arranging the final pieces of the puzzle, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your institution unlock new economic opportunities and long-term savings.
