Allen Smart Recognized as Inside Philanthropy’s Rural Philanthropy Guru
We are happy to share that Allen Smart, founder of PhilanthropywoRx, has been honored by Inside Philanthropy as its Rural Philanthropy Guru in the 2024 Annual Philanthropy Awards. This recognition highlights Allen’s deep commitment to advancing equitable philanthropy in rural communities across the United States. With decades of experience and a passion for addressing the…
Read MoreTo Accept Applications – Or Not – That Is The Question
The recent announcement by Melinda French Gates that she would offer an open-call grantmaking program of $250 million to grassroots organizations working on the mental and physical health of girls and women is part of a growing trend of high-wealth donors interested in providing significant grant dollars through large structured grantmaking programs. This follows the…
Read MoreNational Organization of the State Offices of Rural Health Resources
PhilanthropywoRx was engaged by the National Organization of the State Offices of Rural Health (NOSRH) to develop resources for their 50 state members on how to negotiate the complexity of entering conversations with rural funders and non-health rural stakeholders. The work involved a series of interviews with state Office of Rural Health leaders; focus groups and…
Read MoreProgram Officers: Foundations’ Cultural and Strategic Messengers
The foundation program officer has always had a difficult role. Part gatekeeper, part bureaucracy manager, part cheerleader – and now increasingly responsible for building collaboratives, promoting equity and engendering trust. At their best, they can hold all these skills concurrently. At their least effective, they gravitate to one competency over all others and muddle through…
Read MoreThree Simple Ways for Funders to Make Their Rural Work Authentic
I have been there. The visit from the big city or national funder. The awkward conversations with the visitors that want to get the best shrimp and grits or crawfish. And the never-ending sense that you are selling something that, even with the best intentions, the visitor is never going to understand. They may get…
Read MoreVIDEO: Build Healthy Places Network Video Snapshot
Allen was recently a guest on the Build Healthy Places Network’s new Video Snapshot Series hosted by Ashley Hernandez. During the interview they talked about the important contributions philanthropy brings to community development and health partnerships in rural areas, as well as philanthropy’s role in accelerating investments aimed at improving health and well-being in rural…
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