Empowering Appalachia’s Creative Future through
Art and Community

Waymakers Collective Land Acknowledgement

The Waymakers Collective operates within the ancestral homelands of many Indigenous nations, including the Osage, Miami, Shawnee, Cherokee, Yuchi, Catawba, Miccosukee, Coushatta, and others whose presence continues to shape this region. Appalachia is, was, and will always be an Indigenous home.

We honor the enduring legacy, resilience, and cultural leadership of Indigenous peoples who have called this land home for generations. We recognize those forcibly removed and affirm that their presence remains vital to this place. Waymakers is committed to uplifting Indigenous-led creative and cultural futures in Appalachia.

We acknowledge the history of enslavement that shaped this land and recognize the contributions of Black leaders, creators, and visionaries who continue to shape Appalachia’s cultural and artistic landscape. We are committed to creating pathways for Black artistic and economic empowerment across the region.

We recognize that much of the philanthropic wealth in the U.S. has been generated through the extraction of Appalachian land and labor. Waymakers Collective seeks to reinvest in the region’s artistic and cultural leadership — ensuring that the wealth generated from this place is returned to it.

Above all, we honor the spirit of collectivity that defines Appalachia. Inspired by the Cherokee principle of detsadatliyvsedi (day-ja-da-tl-ee-yuh-say-dee), which calls us to hold one another in community, we commit ourselves to this work through art, culture, and a shared vision.

ABOUT:

Appalachia’s resilience and adaptability shape a future that uplifts its people and environment.

We are the Waymakers Collective, a dynamic network of grantmakers rooted in the heart of Appalachia — from the hollers to the cities. We champion artists, visionaries, and cultural leaders who build bridges, preserve traditions, and drive new creative movements.

Our approach challenges conventional philanthropy, ensuring that resources reach those long overlooked and undervalued. We embrace the strength of community, the power of collective action, and the responsibility to cultivate a more just and sustainable future.

Waymakers Collective is dedicated to transforming the flow of funding to reflect the values of tolerance, sustainability, and lasting cultural impact. Our decisions on how funds are held and distributed are designed to move away from extractive models, reinforcing a system that invests in long-term creative and economic empowerment.

The outcomes of our decisions, how our funds are held and distributed should not recreate the broken wheel of extractive philanthropy…

A plant with deep roots transforms as it reaches toward the sky

Change takes time and we’re here for it.

 

A diversity of unlikely Appalachian flowers and plants comes together to make a community

Communities contain multitudes.

The paradoxical complexity, simplicity, and transparency of water overlaps and flows together

We work through complexity, simply.

Multiple different black, brown, tan and white hands reach toward the sun from Appalachian mountains, all starting a different places and therefore in need of custom paths to reach similar levels

"No ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to ensuring access and opportunity."

VISION:

We are committed to cultivating a thriving creative ecosystem that sustains artistic expression, economic vitality, and meaningful dialogue across communities and disciplines. Our vision for Appalachia fosters creativity, innovation, and lasting cultural impact.

We invest in community-driven organizations and leaders shaping Appalachia’s creative and cultural future. Our funding supports emerging and established voices whose work transforms communities, enriches traditions, and drives new artistic possibilities.

 

OUR GOALS ARE TO:

Transform traditional philanthropic models by prioritizing community-driven funding approaches.

Invest in Appalachian leaders, artists, and cultural stewards shaping the region’s creative future.

Support and elevate artistic expression that preserves heritage, fosters innovation, and strengthens communities.

Encourage meaningful collaborations that expand opportunities and cultivate long-term sustainability in Appalachia.

The future of Creative Placemaking in Appalachia is rooted in the strength of its traditions, its artists' vision, and its communities' resilience. Recognizing the unique realities of our region, we are committed to aligning artistic expression, cultural vibrancy, and lasting impact.

For us, this means investing in artists and cultural initiatives that drive innovation, preserve heritage, and strengthen community bonds. It means championing communities built on sustainability, creativity, and opportunity.Creative Placemaking in Appalachia is, above all, a commitment to nurturing spaces of renewal, inspiration, and collective progress.

WE BELIEVE…

 In the strength and wisdom of Appalachian communities — where history, tradition, and innovation converge to shape the future.

Elevating community leadership creates a lasting impact that ensures those driving change have the resources and support to thrive.

Scarcity-driven funding models have limited progress, and sustainable investment unlocks opportunity, collaboration, and resilience.

Directing national funding into local decision-making strengthens communities — empowering those closest to the work to lead.

Fostering long-term funding sustainability through innovation and relationships — creating pathways for continued artistic and cultural growth.

Strong communities are the foundation of thriving philanthropic models where collaboration precedes structure.

Our role is to amplify and expand — not compete in investing in shared success rather than isolated efforts.