The real impact of rural might just surprise you.
The third sector has a disproportionate impact on rural communities, and rural communities have a disproportionate impact on national governance.
This necessitates the need for a disproportionate focus on understanding the rural third sector.
The Rural Philanthropy Institute brings practitioners, academics, and interested people together to develop data, share stories and experiences, and gain insights that offer a greater understanding of what’s required to have a healthy community in rural areas.
We disseminate what we learn. We look at the practical application of it. And we openly share it.
Initiatives
Research Initiatives
The Rural Philanthropy Institute, in partnership with The Numad Group and faculty at higher education institutions such as the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Southern Methodist University, engage in academic research initiatives focused on the impact of the nonprofit sector in rural communities—and entire states. The research is interpreted and disseminated for the benefit of academics and practitioners.
Publications & Presentations
The third sector is addressing the needs of rural communities. Through the publication and presentation of research developed in rural America—for the benefit of the third sector—the Rural Philanthropy Institute encourages new thinking on how to address our communities’ greatest needs and opportunities.
Conversations
Local, regional and national leaders travel to rural communities for a 24-hour blitz of conversations and collaborations through Morning Fill Up. Previous guests include a Grammy-winning beat boxer, the CEO of the largest nonprofit provider of affordable housing in the Midwest, producers of the Oprah Winfrey Show and National Native News, the person who landed the Rover on Mars, and more.
Gatherings
Philanthropic thought leaders, academic researches and everyday practitioners come together to share data and experiences working in the third sector in rural America. The knowledge gained sparks new research initiatives.
“Our goal is simple:
to work toward gaining more data-driven knowledge about rural America and the role of nonprofits in rural America, and share it in a way that is accessible.”
— Matt Ehlman, PhD
We welcome academics and practitioners interested in coming together to study and publish research that is accessible to practitioners working and living in rural communities.
If you want to join our work, let’s talk. Share your contact information below.