
Coalfield Development
Model & Strategy
Coalfield Development is a West Virginia 501(c)3 focused on ending the intergenerational cycle of poverty in Appalachia by rebuilding the region’s economy from the ground up. Coalfield’s mission is to promote economic development and create jobs for chronically unemployed residents, most of whom are in the coal industry. Coal companies owned, and then abandoned, not just the coal mines, but much of the state’s infrastructure. Coalfield oversees a family of social enterprises that pioneer new and viable economic markets in the region, while simultaneously providing a holistic model of direct employment, formal education, and personal development training.



Brandon Dennison, the Founder and CEO of Coalfield Development, was born and raised in southern West Virginia. In college, Brandon became a Youth Director for a progressive faith group through and experiential learning trips across the US and the world. On his final service trip in West Virginia, Brandon was struck by an interaction with two men who approached the volunteers who were working on home repairs asking the volunteers for work. Through these experiences, Brandon recognized how much need there is in his own backyard, and after graduate school, he returned to West Virginia to launch Coalfield Development.
Brandon attended college at Shepherd University in West Virginia and received a Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management with a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from Indiana University. He has received many awards and honors including the 2015 JM Kaplan Social Innovation Prize, the 2014 Diehl Family Social Enterprise Competition, and was named a 40 under 40 leaders nationwide who are making their mark on the nonprofit world by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Impact
Coalfield has attracted $20M in new investment to southern West Virginia with over 250 new jobs created and more than 50 new businesses started in southern West Virginia.
The program has facilitated over 1,000 professional certifications for formerly unemployed people and has spread messaging about a new sustainable economy to over 15M people globally.
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RT @KathyHeinaman: Learn more about #ACTNow Coalition in #Appalachia - @US_EDA @CoalfieldWV - #ClimateTechnology in #WestVirginia https://t…
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RT @AndyMalinoski: Learn more about #ACTNow Coalition in #Appalachia - @US_EDA @CoalfieldWV - #ClimateTechnology in #WestVirginia https://t…
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Grit is one of our main values. Here's what it means to us. What does this word mean to you? Learn more about our… https://t.co/NTbV7upuVx
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Big shoutout to @HipHopCaucus for inviting our CEO to sit down for a chat. We are excited for what is to come!
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RT @AutodeskFdn: Portfolio org .@CoalfieldWV is investing in Appalachia. Their 33-6-3 Model gives their crew members: ✔️ 33 hours of paid…
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The ACT Now Coalition focuses on building a new economy for the coalfields of West Virginia. Learn more about what… https://t.co/BlrDVg5sNM
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Our CEO, along with our Strategic Partnerships Manager, had the honor and privilege of speaking at the Inaugural Bu… https://t.co/aGMBbUAv3V
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RT @REDFworks: Congratulations to Growth Portfolio partner @CoalfieldWV on being a #BBBRCFinalist! Their triple-bottom-line business is bui…
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Act Now for our jobs! #ACTNowAppalachia #jobs #economy #BuildBackBetter #WestVirginia #coalfielddevelopment
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Mountain Mindful doesn't just carry their own screen printed tees - they also sell locally made self-care items! Sh… https://t.co/l2R1n4xULi
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Stay up to date with our efforts to diversify the Appalachian economy. Sign up for our newsletter here:… https://t.co/Soqc3cOszH
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We were excited and honored to host the @US_EDA for a virtual tour! #BuildBackBetter #appalachia #westvirginia… https://t.co/EmuFvX4ZED
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RT @GenerationWV: Listen to our executive director Alex Weld sit down and have a chat with the folks over at Coalfield Development Corporat…
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It’s time to ACT Now for our communities. @US_EDA #ACTNowAppalachia #economy #jobs #BuildBackBetter #appalachia… https://t.co/iYE74s1vIu
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Our ReFresh Appalachia team is out pruning tomatoes today! Spring time is Ag time! #farming #agricultural… https://t.co/mZ6qafiuy6
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Thanks to @CivilEats for giving our ReFresh Appalachia a shoutout in this great article. #farming #agriculture… https://t.co/j32fknpUgz
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RT @EnergyComm_US: Congrats to @CoalfieldWV for being selected as a #BBBRCFinalist! Can’t wait to see the work you do to support #EnergyCom…
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It’s time to ACT Now for our land here in Appalachia. #BuildBackBetter #appalachia #jobs #climate #economy… https://t.co/5AJHbx9QN4
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RT @giovannitti_jen: If you want to see coalfield communities mobilizing in innovative ways to "Build Back Better", just look at West Virgi…
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Support initiatives for a stronger, more diversified Appalachia. Give here: https://t.co/DODiVpygnn… https://t.co/03WMTyK8JA