Rural Philanthropy Institute

We believe the third sector has a disproportionate impact on our rural communities.

And rural communities have a disproportionate impact on our national governance. This necessitates the need for a disproportionate focus on understanding the rural third sector.

We need real data, real stories, and real insights. The Rural Philanthropy Institute (RPI) finds it, and shares it.

RPI brings together practitioners, academics, and interested people together to develop data, share stories and experiences, and gain insights that offer a greater understanding of what’s required to have a healthy community in rural areas. We disseminate what we learn. We look at the practical application of it. And we openly share it.

Research Initiatives

• The Rural Philanthropy Institute, in partnership with The Numad Group and faculty at higher education institutions such as the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Southern Methodist University, engage in academic research initiatives focused on the impact of the nonprofit sector in rural communities—and entire states. The research is interpreted and disseminated for the benefit of academics and practitioners.

Publications & Presentations

• The third sector is addressing the needs of rural communities. Through the publication and presentation of research developed in rural America—for the benefit of the third sector—the Rural Philanthropy Institute encourages new thinking on how to address our communities’ greatest needs and opportunities.

Conversations

• We believe open dialogue, and an exchange of ideas, can make communities greater. Local, regional and national leaders travel to rural communities for a 24-hour blitz of conversations and collaborations through Morning Fill Up. Since starting the monthly conversation series in 2016, nearly 60 guests have accepted the invitation to participate, and more than 6,000 people have attended

Gatherings

• Philanthropic thought leaders, academic researches and everyday practitioners come together to share data and experiences working in the third sector in rural America. The knowledge gained sparks new research initiatives.
• Nonprofit Capacity Building Program
• The Rural Philanthropy Institute leads regional and statewide Nonprofit Capacity Building Programs to train nonprofit practitioners in fundraising. The program brings together two institutions internationally recognized as leaders in the development of effective fundraising professionals—The Fund Raising School at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (The Fund Raising School) and CFRE International—to create a program specifically for South Dakota nonprofit professionals. The research-based program to support South Dakota nonprofit employees, volunteers and board members with fundraising experience to build their capacity in effective fundraising and other important nonprofit leadership skills.
• Researcher & Practitioner Convenings
• Our goal is to bring people together at least once per year, in small and large group settings. During these events, academic researchers and nonprofit practitioners in rural communities bring their knowledge and experience to the table to address challenges and opportunities in rural communities today.