The Campaign for Christian Appalachian Project

BY GRANT HARNED

Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) mission is to build hope, transform lives, and share Christ’s love through service in Appalachia. That mission inspires, animates, and brings out the best in the lives of people who are called to help fulfill it – participants, volunteers, donors, partners, and employees alike. We are all touched by the tradition of faith, service, and compassion that CAP embodies.

Amid the backdrop of natural disasters and recovery from a global pandemic, we see the struggles, isolation, and devastation experienced by individuals and families in our service area. Those with scant financial resources have suffered the most. But, thanks to the strength and commitment of the entire CAP community and our supporters, thousands of children, their families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities in Appalachia have access to critical services and resources during this difficult time. As we live out our mission each day, we are acutely aware of the ongoing need.

RISE and Shine: The Campaign for Christian Appalachian Project is a three-year comprehensive campaign that aims to raise $95 million to propel us as we enhance and expand services for our participants and communities in the days ahead. The campaign centers around four key priorities: Standing with Appalachian Youth and Families, Meeting the Most Basic Human Needs, Building Strategic Partnerships, and Strengthening the Heartbeat of Volunteerism.

This campaign allows us to be mindful of the immediate opportunities CAP has to grow — a direction already outlined in CAP’s latest strategic plan — and to discern how we can best continue to offer comprehensive services to people navigating the tremendous challenges poverty creates in Appalachia through our community of care. This campaign is our largest and most ambitious philanthropic effort to date and will bring benefits to each of CAP’s 17 human services programs.

Under the excellent leadership of our eight-member Campaign Steering Committee, CAP has successfully raised more than 79.7% of our $95 million goal through the generosity of our friends and supporters during the quiet phase that began in 2021. The Campaign Steering Committee is co-chaired by Brittany and Rob Lawson of Lexington.

We look to the future with the clear conviction that — together — we can continue to honor and celebrate the communities in which we serve by being the hands and feet of Christ in real and impactful ways. We are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve children and families in need in Appalachia for more than 50 years, and we are filled with hope for what is to come in this beautiful place — hope that tomorrow will be better than today.

For more information about the campaign, visit christianapp.org/rise-shine.