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Partnering to Empower Your Community

Appalachian Opportunity Fund is dedicated to building community wealth by providing free financial coaching and affordable lending in the Appalachian Highlands. AOF’s target clients are part of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, which constitutes 30% of households in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. These households earn above the Federal Poverty Level but struggle to afford basic living costs. 

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The "Super-vitamin Effect": Boosting Your Program's Impact

Integrating financial empowerment strategies into social service delivery can have a “super-vitamin” effect, enhancing the outcomes of traditional programs. New York City found that services like homeless prevention and workforce development achieve better and quicker results when financial empowerment programming is included. A stable financial foundation allows individuals and families to more fully benefit from programs designed to improve employment prospects or avoid housing crises. Financial stability also helps families withstand financial shocks, preventing setbacks that can undo progress. 

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"AOF embraces our families with a level of genuineness and warmth that facilitates excellent working relationships."

Cory Whitfield, STRONG Families

How AOF's Financial Coaching Works

AOF provides 100% free financial coaching services. We build authentic, long-term coaching relationships with clients to help them:

  • Repay high-interest predatory loans
  • Co-create and achieve financial goals
  • Reduce financial stress
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The "Super-vitamin Effect" for Your Workforce

Integrating financial empowerment strategies can act as a “super-vitamin,” enhancing the outcomes of other employee benefits and programs. A stable financial foundation allows employees to more fully benefit from opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Financial stability also helps employees withstand financial shocks, preventing setbacks that can impact their job performance.
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"Building my confidence financially has affected far more than my bank account–has changed my life."

AOF Client

Partnership Options

AOF offers several partnership models to integrate financial coaching services into your workplace:

Integrated Coaching Services: Our integrated coaching services offering gives you the opportunity to work with AOF Financial Coaches who will adapt their workflows and documentation to align with other employee benefits offerings and the needs of your HR department.

Engagement Workshop: You can book us to provide an engagement workshop at your facility for your staff and/or program participants. An engagement workshop will provide educational content and information about how to sign up with an AOF coach. Ask us about grant funding or sponsorships available to cover the cost of an engagement workshop with your workplace.

Referral Pursuit Subscription: Have a meeting with our staff to learn more about what AOF can do to support your people and programs and get access to marketing collateral that will help you promote our services to your staff and/or program participants.

Take the Next Step

Contact AOF to discuss how a partnership can benefit your organization and the community.

Cost Statement: AOF is a 501(c)3 non-profit and aims to make its services as accessible as possible while keeping operations sustainable. Most of our partnerships with for-profit employers require a paid contract with AOF.
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