Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Philanthropy

Voices from the Field: Rural Organizers on What They Need from Funders
Summarizes findings from interviews with rural organizers to identify their philanthropy needs and areas of concern. Offers guidance for supporting rural philanthropy, specifically highlighting five areas: defining characteristics of rural communities; race equality; prosperity and economic sustainability; electoral power and civic engagement; and philanthropy and organizing opportunities. Covers recommendations and lesson learned to inform future rural philanthropy efforts.
Date: 06/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Neighborhood Funders Group
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Mobility & Aging in Rural America: The Role for Innovation: An Introduction for Funders
Outlines challenges facing older people, people with disabilities, and people in areas with few mobility options. Includes a section on funding strategies for rural transit. Describes successful programs, defines mobility as a social determinant of health, and explores approaches for improvement, including new partnerships with healthcare providers and telehealth.
Date: 05/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Grantmakers In Aging
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To Spark or Sustain? Two Equally Important Rural Funder Choices
Blog about rural philanthropy and suggestions for determining the best ways for communities to support local groups, including health services systems.
Author(s): Allen Smart
Date: 04/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Exponent Philanthropy
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As the South Grows: Bearing Fruit
Explores how areas of Southern cities such as Metro Atlanta offer opportunities to learn ways to confront and eliminate structural barriers that will have effects on other parts of the country. Discusses rural-specific considerations, as well.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Ryan Schlegel, Stephanie Peng
Date: 02/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
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The Lonely Rural Funder's Guide to Networking
Blog post examining the benefits of networking and encouraging rural funders to employ a type of creative thinking that is different from that used by urban philanthropic organizations. Includes ideas for promoting networking for rural healthcare institutions.
Author(s): Allen Smart
Date: 02/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Exponent Philanthropy
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Leveraging Research and Philanthropy to Reduce Crime and Violence in the Mississippi Delta
Explores how foundations fund public safety projects, focusing on Phillips County, Arkansas and Coahoma County, Mississippi. Features background on violence and crime in rural areas, including a description of the research literature. Proposes a framework for selecting and implementing violence prevention and intervention on the community level.
Author(s): Jessica Saunders, Dionne Barnes-Proby, Samuel Peterson
Date: 2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Philanthropy as the South's Passing Gear: Fulfilling the Promise
Report providing an overview of Southern economic development and population health since the 1960s, describing the state of philanthropy in the South, profiling philanthropic foundations and programs, and presenting reflections by experienced grantmakers. Covers racial and ethnic equity, health access and outcomes, and the needs of rural communities throughout.
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: MDC, Southeastern Council of Foundations (SECF)
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As the South Grows: Weathering the Storm
Discusses the impact of environmental change on the social and economic systems of the South and how climate change may disproportionately harm the South's already struggling communities. Presents opportunities and supporting information for foundations, hoping to encourage climate-related philanthropy throughout the South.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Ryan Schlegel, Stephanie Peng
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
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Foundations' Efforts To Improve Rural Health Care
Highlights several rural-specific, foundation-funded projects that are working to address challenges associated with rural health and healthcare. Includes examples in the following problem areas: access, care delivery, publications, quality of care, and rural philanthropy.
Citation: Health Affairs, 36(11), 2023-2025
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
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Heartache, Pain, and Hope: Rural Communities, Older People, and the Opioid Crisis: An Introduction for Funders
Provides an overview of the opioid crisis and its impact on the lives of older adults. Addresses both opioid use by older adults and addiction within older adults' families. Identifies solutions being implemented by governments, communities, healthcare providers, and funders to address these concerns. Includes policy recommendations.
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Grantmakers In Aging
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