Rural Democracy Initiative
Our country is stronger when we invest in rural people and organizations bridging across racial, economic, and geographic differences to drive solutions. Rural Democracy Initiative builds power toward a thriving democracy and shared prosperity across diverse communities in rural areas and small cities.
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We are changing the political landscape of rural America
Rural Democracy supports and connects rural leaders working to transform our lives and communities. We invest in year-round civic engagement, issue advocacy, community organizing infrastructure, and rural leadership in statewide and national coalitions. In addition to grantmaking, Rural Democracy also supports rural leaders and organizations through convening, research, and communications.
Our Network
Rural Democracy invests in more than 150 groups to work alongside hundreds of thousands of people in rural areas, small towns, and small cities to improve our lives and communities.
Communications
Rural Democracy drives effective communications by establishing local trusted messengers, reaching people through local press, and showing the connection between national talking points and local impacts.
Policies
We work to advance policies that improve the lives of rural people and ensure democracy works for us all. The Rural Democracy network has fueled a historic surge of rural progress, profoundly affecting numerous recent policy successes.
Featured Report
Rural Policy Action Report
Featuring priority legislation and executive action that supports working families and strengthens rural communities. The report also highlights numerous policy successes and the ongoing challenges people in rural communities face.
Support Rural Progress
Invest in the potential of our small towns and rural communities.
Rural Democracy Programs
We have seen enormous success in the fight for change in rural communities. The Rural Democracy network is poised to make an even greater difference this year.
Winning Jobs Narrative
The Winning Jobs Narrative and Toolkit provides a blueprint for compelling messaging about jobs, work, and the economy.
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Rural Youth Voter Fund
Investing in authentic long-term engagement of our young community members.
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Rural Democracy provides tools and original research to benefit rural communities
Rural Map and Dashboard
Rural classifications to the country’s census tracts, counties, congressional districts, and states.
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Rural Battleground Polls
The polls explore rural attitudes and points toward ways to engage rural communities.
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News from Rural Democracy
New Rural Poll Results
Our second electoral poll studies attitudes of rural voters towards candidates and policy issues.
Opinion: We must help communities that have been left behind
Two years after the landmark legislation went into place, the IRA and similar federal funding have produced immense benefits for…
Building Power in a Big Battleground
The powerful moment emerged in 2023 when locals in rural Oxford, North Carolina captured an opportunity.
Blue Tent Praises RDI’s Election Impact
“The Rural Democracy Initiative is an all-important hub of these exciting efforts.”