Catalyzing Upward Economic Mobility in and with Rural Communities
How does rural grantmaking align with commitments to equitable grantmaking, work to close opportunity gaps, and/or advancing upward economic mobility?
What strategies can funders (who may be based in urban areas) use to advance community-driven solutions that meet local needs in rural communities?
Midwest Partnership states – Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio – have more community members living in rural communities than the national average (26% vs. 20%). These 9 million people living in rural communities generally experience 1-3% higher rates of poverty and fewer opportunities for upward economic mobility. Despite this demonstrated need, nationally, we see less than 7% of philanthropic spending in rural communities (when Missouri dug deeper, the finding was a shocking less than 1%). Through convening, funding, and advocacy, grantmakers have an opportunity to strengthen rural ecosystems by supporting alignment of local efforts and resources, championing scalable pilot programs, and promoting an asset-based approach.
Key Takeaways
This Midwest Partnership webinar, hosted by Philanthropy Missouri and featuring guest speakers from the Education Design Lab, will explore:
- How rural grantmaking fits into equitable grantmaking work for Midwest funders
- Strategies to support collaborative solutions to improve economic mobility in rural communities (including how this may differ from effective approaches in more urban communities)
- Specific field examples about strengthening rural ecosystems through innovative, community-designed education-to-workforce solutions
- Additional resources to support funders in this space, like the RuralTogether community
You do not need to be a “rural funder” to find value in this webinar; it has been designed with all funders in mind.
Speakers
Leslie Daugherty, EdD, Senior Director, Design Programs, Education Design Lab
Dr. Leslie Daugherty is the Lab’s Senior Director of Design Programs. She came to the Lab after 15 years working in traditional higher education and began her career as an admissions counselor, where she served mostly rural student populations. In her current role, she leads the Lab's Rural Practice area, which is focused on increasing the capacity of rural colleges as they become economic growth engines within their communities. Find her full bio here.
Matt Newlin, EdD, Senior Education Designer, Rural Initiatives, Education Design Lab
Dr. Newlin is the Senior Education Designer, Rural Initiatives, at Education Design Lab where he helps lead the Rural College Design & Data Academy. Dr. Newlin has spent over 18 years in higher education, with the last six years focused directly on rural learners and communities. Prior to joining the Lab, he served as the inaugural Director of Rural Initiatives at College Advising Corps where he developed state-specific and national trainings for rural-serving advisors. He is also the creator and host of the Rural College Student Experience podcast. Find his full bio here.
This program is part of the Midwest Partnership Series, a collaboration between IPA, Council of Michigan Foundations, Philanthropy Missouri, and Philanthropy Ohio.
