CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

HAZARD — A Martin County organization is among 13 recipients sharing $90,000 in Appalachian Kentucky Civic Experiment grants, with the Stidham Old-Time Music Association of Tomahawk receiving $7,500 to expand affordable string music lessons for young people.

The grants, awarded by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, support projects across the region aimed at strengthening community connections, encouraging civic participation and addressing local needs.

Stidham Old-Time Music Association received funding for its “Pick and Bow Program,” which offers affordable Appalachian string music lessons designed to connect youth with traditional music and community heritage.

In all, the foundation awarded grants to 13 organizations and projects in Appalachian Kentucky through its Appalachian Kentucky Civic Experiment Grant Program.

Foundation officials said the program supports neighbors, organizations and community leaders working to improve civic life by bringing people together, encouraging participation and helping communities tackle local challenges.

The program was funded through the Trust for Civic Life, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Foundation officials said they received more than 80 applications requesting $1.3 million, far exceeding the $90,000 available for this funding round.

Grant proposals were reviewed based on community need, potential local impact, alignment with values such as community, equity, integrity, service and hope, realistic project planning and the potential for long-term benefits. Each funded project must be completed within 12 months.

Other grant recipients included:

• $3,000 to the Appalachian Literary Arts Festival for its annual Morehead event celebrating Appalachian literature, storytelling and culture.

• $10,000 to Berea Arts Council for CAREnet, an arts-based disaster and crisis response initiative.

• $1,500 to Carrie Community Foundation for food boxes, community meals, events and educational programming in Knott County.

• $8,600 to Clear Creek Creative for leadership development and action planning for women changemakers.

• $10,400 to Cowan Community Action Group for Instruments of Change, a Letcher County project using music, discussions and community suppers to promote civic engagement.

• $5,000 to Estill County 21st Century for CLETUS (Civic Literacy and Education Television for US), a video-based civic education project.

• $2,000 to Gateway Regional Arts Center for community-designed murals in Frenchburg, Owingsville, Clay City and West Liberty.

• $6,500 to Jackson County Development Association for the McKee Sculpture Park project.

• $5,000 to Lauren Traitz for a project exploring Appalachian land-based traditions across religious and secular communities.

• $5,000 to Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) for Hillbilly Jubilee, a series of potluck gatherings in five eastern Kentucky counties focused on tenants’ rights.

• $7,500 to The Edge for a multi-denominational church exchange program.

• $18,000 to Tri County Mystery Meets for Voices of 250, a theater and storytelling project tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky is a nonprofit community foundation serving Appalachian Kentucky by pooling donations to support local needs, nonprofits and community-led projects.

More information about the grant program is available at bit.ly/civicgrant.