Huntington, April 5 -- The Ford Foundation and REDF Impact Investing Fund (RIIF) are deepening their commitment to the future of the Appalachian region, announcing a groundbreaking $5 million initiative that puts investment capital directly in the hands of local students. The Emerging Appalachian Investors Fund will empower students from Marshall University, West Virginia University, and Ohio University to become the next generation of community-focused investors, with plans to expand to more institutions in the future.

The initiative transforms traditional investment education by giving students real-world experience in directing capital to projects that matter to their communities. The fund will support Appalachian Regional Commission ...