Supporters
ASPI’s work is made possible by donors, foundations, public funders, partners, volunteers, and interns. We are grateful for every gift of support. The organizations we collaborate with are listed under Partners & Collaborators.
Gratitude
How Support Shows up
Support for ASPI takes many forms — unrestricted gifts, project grants, in-kind contributions, and people who give their time. Together, these make education, demonstration sites, and community programs possible.
Individual & Memorial Giving
General and memorial donations sustain our programs, demonstration sites, and publications year-round.
Foundations & Public Funders
Grants and awards fund specific projects and build organizational capacity. Recent funders are recognized below.
Partners & in-kind
Organizations and consultants strengthen our planning, energy work, arts programming, and community outreach.
Volunteers & Interns
Volunteers and service-learning students extend what a small staff can do — from field days to research assistance.
Recognition
Recent Foundation & Public Support
We are grateful for the foundations and public agencies that have supported ASPI’s work in Appalachia. Recent support has included:
- Kentucky Arts Council — Arts Access Assistance, Creative Aging & Lifelong Learning, and Kentucky Peer Arts Network (KPAN) accessibility grants. KAC support includes federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Kentucky Foundation for Women — Bridging Divides grant (2020) and Art Meets Activism grant (2021), both in support of Arts Connect Eastern Kentucky (ACEKY).
- Good Foods Charitable Foundation — General organizational support.
- Starbucks Foundation — Neighborhood Grant (2021).
- Epiphany Catholic Church — 10 Percent Commitment Fund grant (2021).
- Appalachian Community Fund — Technical Assistance Grant.
- Blue Grass Community Foundation — Office improvement grant.
- Berea College Appalachian Fund — Folk Arts & Cultures Grant.
- Mountain Association — Strategic planning consultancy and energy efficiency program support.
- SPARK Collaborative — Professional development and capacity building through the Small Nonprofit Peers Accelerating Rural (Eastern) Kentucky network.
- Waymakers Collective — Arts and community programming support.
This list reflects recent and representative support. It is not a complete historical record. Earlier grants from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, and other partners are part of ASPI’s longer history. Read more about our history and mission.
To add a more recent grant or award, contact us.
Memorial Recognition
Many families choose to honor a loved one through a gift to ASPI. We are grateful for each of these tributes, and for the lives they remember. Named memorial funds are maintained in honor of:
- Father Al Fritsch — ASPI’s founder, whose vision for science in the service of Appalachian communities continues to shape our work.
- Sylvester “Syl” Yunker — A dedicated friend and supporter of ASPI’s mission.
- Tammy Clemons — Remembered with gratitude by the ASPI community.
- Paul Temple
Give in memory
Gifts support ASPI’s mission and can be designated to the memorial funds listed below.
In Memory of ASPI’s Founder Father Al Fritsch
In Memory of Sylvester “Syl” Yunker
In Memory of Tammy Clemons
To give in memory of a loved one, or to learn more about establishing a named memorial fund, contact us.
Individual Donors
We thank the many individuals who give to ASPI each year. Every gift — large or small — helps sustain programs, publications, and demonstration sites in Central Appalachia. We are also grateful to those who prefer to give anonymously.
If you would like to support ASPI, donate online or contact us to learn about other ways to give.
Honors & Recognition
ASPI has been recognized over the years for its work in sustainable development and community education in Appalachia. We have been included in Ralph Nader’s year-end list of worthy organizations, and our programs and products have been recognized through Kentucky Proud and Appalachia Proud.
Recognition like this reflects the commitment of the whole ASPI community — our partners, funders, volunteers, board, staff, and the communities we serve.
Where to go from here
Dive deeper into ASPI’s work, people, and philosophy