Brushy Fork Leadership Institute of Berea College

06/23/2026

The Brushy Fork team is having a great time with the Kentucky Regional Community Leadership Programs Network in London! We’re thankful for the opportunity to connect with passionate leaders and organizations from across the state, exchange ideas, and build relationships that strengthen our communities. Looking forward to an afternoon of more collaboration and inspiration around this year’s theme, “Leadership Connections: Strengthening Partnerships for Community Success.”

05/29/2026

In loving memory of our founder, Jane Stephenson, who passed away on May 2nd, we are putting together a collection to honor her life, her work, and her incredible impact.

Do you have a memory, story, or photo of Jane that you'd like to share? We want to hear from you!

Ways to contribute:
Email your memories/photos to [email protected]
Let us know if you'd prefer an interview (we can do phone, Zoom, or in-person!)

Let's come together to celebrate the woman who helped so many. Thank you for helping us preserve her legacy.

05/29/2026

Happy Friday, friends! Earlier this week, Brushy Fork had the pleasure of spending the day at Camp Shawano with an incredible group from Girl Scouts of Kentucky's Wilderness Road Council.

Lydia, our Associate Director for Partner Success, led a results-based accountability focused conversation centered on increasing adult recruitment and engagement. This group modeled what it looks like to move from conversation to clear, measurable action.

We are always glad to walk with our partners as they turn ideas into meaningful progress. We're grateful for the time together and for the opportunity to learn alongside such a committed team. Thanks for having us!

05/29/2026

Still thinking about submitting a proposal? This weekend is your last chance! Don't miss out: tinyurl.com/LG26-Proposals

🚨 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱! 🚨

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 + 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝗿𝘀!
We’ve extended the proposal deadline for the 2026 Leadership Gathering—there’s still time to share your work!

The Leadership Gathering is happening September 16–17 in Berea, KY, and we’re looking for folks who turn ideas into action. If you’ve got practical tools, lived experience, or community-tested strategies that help people lead, strengthen organizations, or build momentum in rural communities, we want to hear from you.
This is your chance to share what’s working, inspire others, and help move our region forward.

📅 New Proposal Deadline: May 31, 2026
🔗 Learn more & submit: tinyurl.com/LG26-Proposals

𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠? 𝙏𝙖𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙮!

05/26/2026

🚨 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱! 🚨

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 + 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝗿𝘀!
We’ve extended the proposal deadline for the 2026 Leadership Gathering—there’s still time to share your work!

The Leadership Gathering is happening September 16–17 in Berea, KY, and we’re looking for folks who turn ideas into action. If you’ve got practical tools, lived experience, or community-tested strategies that help people lead, strengthen organizations, or build momentum in rural communities, we want to hear from you.
This is your chance to share what’s working, inspire others, and help move our region forward.

📅 New Proposal Deadline: May 31, 2026
🔗 Learn more & submit: tinyurl.com/LG26-Proposals

𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠? 𝙏𝙖𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙮!

05/14/2026

Thinking about submitting a proposal for the 2026 Leadership Gathering? Don’t wait—the deadline is TOMORROW! ⏰

Make sure you don’t miss your chance to share your ideas. Learn what we’re looking for and submit here:
👉 tinyurl.com/lg26-proposals

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 + 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝗿𝘀!
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

The 2026 Leadership Gathering is happening September 16-17 in Berea, KY, and we’re looking for folks who turn ideas into action. If you’ve got practical tools, lived experience, or community-tested strategies that help people lead, strengthen organizations, or build momentum in rural communities, we want to hear from you!

This is your chance to share what’s working, inspire others, and help move our region forward.

📅 Proposal Deadline: May 15, 2026
🔗 Learn more: tinyurl.com/LG26-Proposals

𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠? 𝙏𝙖𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙮!

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

We are holding the Stephenson family and our Berea community close as we remember Jane Stephenson.

Jane’s life reflected a deep love for Appalachia and a steady belief in the strength and potential of its people. Through the New Opportunity School for Women, she helped create life changing opportunities across the region. Her work opened doors to education, confidence, and leadership, and its impact continues to be felt in families and communities throughout Appalachia.

Her connection to Brushy Fork is a meaningful part of our story. The values she lived out alongside John continue to shape this work and the leaders we are honored to walk with each day.

At Brushy Fork, we see Jane’s legacy in the courage of people stepping into leadership and in communities working toward a stronger future together. She showed what it looks like to listen well, care deeply, and walk alongside others with purpose.

We are grateful for her life and the lasting mark she leaves on this place and its people. We invite you to join us in celebrating her life. Those who wish to honor her memory may consider a donation to the Jane B. Stephenson Memorial Fund at the NOSW Foundation, PO Box 273, Berea, KY 40403.

05/06/2026

We’re excited to share that our 2025 Annual Report is now available!

Inside, you’ll find stories, highlights, and snapshots of the people and communities that make this work meaningful. From new partnerships to growing leadership across Central Appalachia, this year reflects what we can do together.

Take a moment to explore the impact: https://tinyurl.com/BF2025-REPORT

Thank you to everyone who made this work possible!