2025 Rural Philanthropy Summit: Stronger Together Sessions

In this session, participants will hear about new research from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and USDA Rural Development that looks at the geographic distribution of philanthropic organizations and their activities across the county, with a primary focus on the disparities that exist between rural and urban areas. We will drill down on philanthropic activities in Missouri. This presentation will be followed by an interactive discussion on how communities can identify their unique assets to build capacity using the TRIC (Tailored, Reslient, Inclusive, Collaborative) Framework, while making the case for continued investment. This session will also highlight case studies showing how rural communities across the country have made strides in creating opportunities for their residents, and discuss key policy, practice, and funding considerations.

In this session, Education First and Walton Personal Philanthropy Group will share key takeaways from the recently released report Strengthening Missouri’s Teacher Pipelines: Understanding Recruitment, Preparation and Retention in the Field. Based on analysis of qualitative data - including interviews, a survey of candidates and early career teachers - and quantitative data, this report articulates six key recommendations that can help strengthen the teacher pipeline in Missouri, with a particular emphasis on the needs of rural communities. This interactive session will provide a presentation of the key findings followed by Q&A and small group discussions focused on potential implications for grantmaking strategies to support bolstering recruitment, preparation, and retention of teachers in rural communities.

This session explores the current Missouri nonprofit landscape, with a focus on rural communities. The St. Louis Chapter of The Grant Professionals Association is curious about grant needs throughout the state and launched a state-wide research project to better understand how nonprofits and philanthropy are coming together. They will share insights from phase 1 of their ongoing 2025 research, including analysis of nonprofit data and interviews with nonprofits across the state. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges nonprofits face and have the chance to shape phase 2 of the project, which includes a state-wide survey for nonprofits, philanthropists, and grant professionals by sharing the questions they want to know about mission-driven work in rural areas. This session will provide practical insights and real-world examples to better support nonprofit sustainability, with a preview of a future resource hub for ongoing project results.

As rural funders and partners, we bring more than financial support to place-based needs. In this session, Erin Borla of the Roundhouse Foundation will share her experience working in rural Oregon, where the parallels with Missouri are abundant. Communities struggle with the seasonality of jobs, the lack of high speed Internet services, and long drives for healthcare appointments and pharmacies. Let's discuss how storytelling can raise awareness of issues and invite partner support, helping funders unite around a common goal. Participants in this session will walk away with a better understanding of their goals, their potential partners, and ideas on how they can highlight the organizations or areas in which they serve.

This session will focus on how to better support rural communities and organizations in accessing public funding (federal, state, and local). The presentation will provide an overview of Missouri Foundation for Health's MoCAP program - which provides grant-writing consultation to organizations pursuing nationally-competitive federal and private national funding - and will highlight the successes, lessons learned, and challenges of rural public funding recipients. The session will also include discussion of the spectrum of supports needed for rural communities to successfully access public funding and what funders and rural partners can do to address the gaps that exist in Missouri.

This session will explore the challenges faced by rural Missourians who do not have access to a reliable vehicle, public transportation, or rideshare options to get to work, medical appointments, the grocery store, and other essential needs. New Growth Transit will share information about their volunteer driver program - created in partnership with four statewide partner agencies - to help improve access to transportation in rural communities. In 2024, the program provided over a million miles in rides to people in need across 22 Missouri counties...and the demand for services is growing! Leave this session with insights about the model, plans for expansion, and how to bring these services to rural communities across the state.

This session will explore the connection between strong local media and improved community health. Jon K. Rust of Rustmedia will share about his company's partnership with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks to create the Community Health Impact Lab. This initiative seeks to collaborate with anyone and everyone with expertise, passion, or heart to launch a civic information campaign and community action movement to improve health in Southeast Missouri. Rust will share the progress on this effort, explain how it can be replicated in other areas of the state, and outline how philanthropy is increasingly playing a vital role in local journalism.

Rural communities are full of potential, and community colleges play a critical role in driving local innovation and workforce development. Join Education Design Lab and Crowder College as we share insights from the Rural College Design & Data Academy, showcasing how funders and rural partners can collaborate with higher education to create sustainable, community-driven solutions. Through real-world examples from Crowder College, attendees will learn how strategic investment in rural institutions leads to stronger economies and improved student outcomes. This session will provide funders with actionable strategies to foster partnerships, support scalable pilot programs, and maximize impact. Engage with national experts and local leaders to explore how rural higher education can be a powerful driver of change in Missouri communities (and beyond).