It’s time for philanthropies to invest and build roots in rural America. Studies have shown that a decade ago, rural areas received just 6-to-7% of grant dollars from large foundations, even though rural Americans make up nearly 20% of the population. Now, preliminary findings suggest that number may have dropped to just 3%.
“If philanthropy wants rural insight at the table, it needs to make space at the table through remote work policies, satellite offices, and a commitment to hiring rural talent,” writes Helmsley Program Officer Elizabeth Ruen in her recent op-ed for the Daily Yonder.
In her article, Elizabeth argues that fixing philanthropy’s blind spot in hearing rural communities starts by hiring people who understand them to fund the solutions they are creating.
