Philanthropy

The Rural Philanthropic Analysis Project, in partnership with Campbell University, will publish four field studies representing a powerful collection of stories and lessons to inform the practice of rural philanthropy in Northeast Iowa, New Mexico, Eastern Washington and New England. This report surveys the philanthropic landscape in Northeast Iowa. “The Rural Philanthropic Analysis Project has…

Over the course of the last two years, the Rural Philanthropic Analysis Project (RPAP) team has blogged, reported, presented and collected data from all over the country about philanthropic activity that has, as its focus, a deep commitment to the future of rural communities. While philanthropic activity in rural America precedes anything akin to a…

The heightened state of distrust between rural and urban communities has made it more difficult to recognize that there is an inherent interdependence between them. Philanthropy is uniquely positioned to offer an intentional approach to rural inclusion, as well as a new rural–urban narrative, that doesn’t increase division. The renewed focus on rural America that…

Inside Philanthropy recently sought input from Allen Smart, Director of Campbell University’s Rural Philanthropic Analysis Project to weigh in on the importance of representing rural in the 2020 Census. Having an accurate census count that is representative of all groups in the United States is a significant opportunity for philanthropy. Smart explained, ‘The impact of…

Closing Out This Phase and Moving Forward with Urgency and Commitment As the Rural Health Analysis Project winds down its first generation of work, Director Allen Smart reflects on what to expect going forward for the project and the rural philanthropic field. It’s a gray, rainy, winter day here in rural North Carolina and I…

Eduardo Porter’s recent New York Times piece, “The Hard Truths of Trying to Save the Rural Economy,” is misguided and patronizing, even if his intention is not. Unfortunately, he is not alone as an urban-based influencer who passes judgement on rural places from urban bubbles. Large national and regional urban-based philanthropy also can be misguided…