Investing for Growth and for Good

The Appalachian Growth Fund (AGF) provides flexible capital for small and medium sized businesses that are creating and sustaining jobs throughout Appalachia.

With increased volume and flexibility of capital to Appalachian enterprises across industries, AGF investees create employment, promote local sector growth and wealth, and improve the quality of jobs in Appalachia.

The Appalachian Growth Fund is a wholly owned subsidiary of RIIF Capital (which is, in turn, a wholly owned subsidiary of Roberts Impact Investing Fund (RIIF), a certified nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution). AGF is impact-first and multi-asset-class, and is managed by the RIIF team, with funding provided by Ford Foundation.

Current Borrowers & Investees

Impact

AGF serves the region through a partnership-driven and community-centric approach. To ensure that community needs are always at the forefront, regional leaders will be represented on the investment committee.

The fund also brings additive expertise into Appalachia through our roots in and connection to Redefine Alliance, the Roberts Impact Investing Fund’s affiliate venture philanthropy organization. Part of the fund model is to provide tailored technical assistance to investees, ensuring they have a pathway toward sustainable growth and higher job quality for employees.

Eligibility

To receive investment from the Appalachian Growth Fund, a business must be located within or employ people from any of the 423 counties in the Appalachian region.

The investment must have a clear link to quality job creation and retention for Appalachians, especially those with high barriers to employment.

Need more info?

Seeking a loan or investment? Curious about partnership and co-investment opportunities? Reach out directly to AGF@robertsimpact.org.

We look forward to connecting and advancing job creation in Appalachia together!

This initiative is a great opportunity for Appalachia. It aligns well with ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for our people. Redefine Alliance is a world-class leader and innovator in the field of social enterprise, and Coalfield has looked to Redefine as a support for many years. This opportunity will take the partnership to the next level.

Appalachia is the home to some of the most resilient communities in our country’s history, and we hope that these new investments will put the wind at their backs as they build toward a stronger, more prosperous future... The Ford Foundation is proud to partner with groups like the [Roberts] Impact Investing Fund to invest more capital where it needs to go, directly to the people that drive America’s economy.