Rural Matters: Philanthropy’s Opportunity for Impact

Rural America faces a barrage of structural challenges: rapid demographic change, mortality rates 75% higher than comparable populations, deep racial inequities, a housing affordability crisis, high rates of concentrated persistent poverty, systemic barriers to accessing state and federal resources, front line impacts of climate change, and a profound economic decline, to name a few. Yet, for too long, rural communities have been either ignored or the subject of derision in national discourse. Often overlooked by funders, rural America represents a missed opportunity to build a fully inclusive coalition of low-income communities uniting to create a more equitable and sustainable America. 
 
Please join Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania as Joelle Cook and Chris Carlson from the nonprofit consulting firm FSG lead us in a discussion of their report, Rural America: Philanthropy’s Misunderstood Opportunity for Impact. During the session, Joelle and Chris will provide a summary of their research on the state of rural communities in America, profile some key trends in areas such as health, education, climate, and economic development, and share considerations for funders interested in expanding their focus on rural communities. 
 
This session will be virtual and will also include time for group discussion of what you are seeing in your community and the questions and ideas you may have about rural philanthropy. 

Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania is hosting this program in partnership with Maryland Philanthropy Network and encourages funders interested in investing in rural communities to join and add to the discussion.