Publications
The nonprofit 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.
Rethinking Rural Volume II
Coming Soon - Rethinking Rural Volume II, Reflections on a Changing Communities, revisits the questions: How would you describe Rural America today? and what do you imagine it will be like for the next generation? Through personal histories and professional experiences, eight authors delve into their experiences with rural America, the lessons they have learned and how these unique histories inform the way they view the future of rural American communities. Through their eyes we see communities at the crux of change and the way conversation and connection are key to resilient futures. This continuation of the Rethinking Rural series explores the intersection of philanthropy and rural America by probing personal histories, political landscapes, and the complex web that connects rural America to the fabric of our nation.
Rethinking Rural Volume II will be published in Fall 2025
Featured Authors:
Nigel Lockyer - Director of Cornell Lab for Accelerator Based Sciences and Education, Cornell University
Wayne Ducheneaux - Chief Advancement Officer, Intertribal Agricultural Council
Steve Long - President & CEO, Hancock Health and Hancock Regional Hospital
Michael R. Burrow - President & CEO, Ninestart Connect
David Emery - Former Chairman, President & CEO, Black Hills Energy
Michael Hall - President, Randolph-Macon College, Former President of Chautauqua Institution
Amy Novak - President, St. Ambrose University
Joe Roidt - Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, St. Ambrose University
Sarah White - Founder & Executive Director, South Dakota Education Equity Coalition
Lorane Coffin - Benedictine Sisters of St. Martin’s Monastery, Rapid City, SD
Purchase a copy of Rethinking Rural Volume II here.
If you are interested in reviewing Rethinking Rural Volume II: Reflections on Changing Communities or would like to cover the publication of this new anthology please see below for our press release that contains more information and cover photo for download. Interviews available upon request. Please contact Nora Leinen at nora@ruralphilanthropyinstitute.org
Rethinking Rural Volume I
Reflections on Today, Insights for the Future presents the opinions of ten people as expressed in their answers to two questions: How would you describe rural America today? and what do you imagine it will be like for the next generation? Each of the authors share their concepts and their answers based on the lens through which they see the world. This anthology begins the Rethinking Rural series, aimed at highlighting how people of diverse backgrounds and experiences understand rural history and how they foresee its future, adding to the ongoing discussion of the multifaceted nature of rural America.
Finalist for Excellence in Publishing in the Anthologies Category of the 34th Annual Midwest Book Awards
Finalist Excellence in Publishing in the Social Science/Political Science/Culture Category of the 34th Annual Midwest Book Awards
Purchase a copy here.
Philanthropy in Rural America: A Scoping Review of the Last 25 Years
RPI Associate Director Nora Leinen and RPI Board Members Matt Ehlman and Dwight Burlingame have authored a scoping review recently accepted for publication in the Online Journal of Rural Research and Policy, an open-source peer reviewed publication of Kansas State University. The Scoping Review represents over a year of research into the current publications on rural nonprofits and philanthropic investment in rural America. While limited research does exist, it was made clear through our scholarship that there is a significant lack of academic investigation into the rural nonprofit sector. Due to this, we often find continued patterns of underinvestment by philanthropy and persistent obstacles to rural nonprofits including lack of capacity, dependable donor bases, and sustainable fundraising practices. RPI hopes this review will spur additional attention to the need for more scholarship focused on the intersection of philanthropy and rural America.
You can read the Scoping Review here.
About The Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy: The purpose of the Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy is to expand publication opportunities for scholars to disseminate research that has the potential to benefit rural communities. It publishes academic and community-based research, commentary, and policy articles focused on rural places and spaces.
Presentations
Adelaide, Australia
Conference on Social Theory, Politics, and the Arts: “Associations as Lifelines: The Significance of Artists’ Networks for Arts Sustainability” by B. Kathleen Gallagher and Matt Ehlman
Austin, Texas
Association for Research on Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Conference: “Together We are an Ocean: Relationship Marketing and the Recruitment and Retention of Volunteers Among Arts and Culture Nonprofit” by B. Kathleen Gallagher and Matt Ehlman
Beijing, China
International Conference on Arts and Cultural Management: “Arts, Culture, and Tossed Salad: The Influences of Culture and Identity on Artist Entrepreneurs” by B. Kathleen Gallagher, J.A. Hernandez, and Matt Ehlman
Denver, Colorado
Association for Research on Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Conference: “A Place for Art: A Case Study of Culture, Community, and Collaboration” by B. Kathleen Gallagher and Matt Ehlman
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Association for Research on Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Conference: “Passing the Hat to Pay the Piper: Financial Sustainability and Rural Arts Organizations” by B. Kathleen Gallagher and Matt Ehlman
Manchester, England
Conference on Social Theory, Politics, and the Arts: “Cultivating Sustainable Resources: The Promise and Problems of the Arts in Rural Communities” by B. Kathleen Gallagher and Matt Ehlman
New Orleans, Louisiana
Conference on Social Theory, Politics, and the Arts: “Capital, Capacity and Creative Placemaking in Rural Communities” by B. Kathleen Gallagher and Matt Ehlman
Washington, DC
George Washington University Symposium: “Arts at the Intersection: Cross-sector Collaboration and Creative Placemaking in Rapid City, South Dakota” by B. Kathleen Gallagher and Matt Ehlman
Association for Research on Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Conference: “Creative Places, Creative Solutions: Are the Arts a Linchpin in Rapid City, South Dakota?” by B. Kathleen Gallagher and Matt Ehlman
