In collaboration with the Aspen Institute, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers created Rural Fund Development 101 to offer volunteer rural leaders a practical guide for starting or growing community endowments.  Community endowments are permanent funds that benefit a specific geographic area and are governed by local people who decide how to use it to benefit that area and its people. 

Because there is no one "right way" for a rural community to establish a fund, the guide is divided into five conversations that are filled with key questions for steering groups, sample toolkits, and inspirational resources from existing rural funds. Topics include:

  • What is a community endowment?
  • Why establish a rural community endowment?
  • What legal form can a community endowment take?
  • What does it take to get a community endowment running?

For more information, please visit the Rural Philanthropy Knowledge Center or contact Danielle Hicks, Assistant Director of New Ventures in Philanthropy.

Resources:

Rural Fund Development 101
Rural Philanthropy Knowledge Center