In the first three months of 2022, Rural Democracy Initiative’s 501c3 Heartland Fund and 501c4 Rural Victory Fund granted $6,470,000 to 97 groups developing creative and effective ways to engage voters, shape policy, and build support. Thanks to our generous donors, that’s the most we’ve ever granted in the first quarter.

Development Director Renee Linde and Robert Hubbell to discuss how to support progressive rural programs.

For decades, people in rural communities have suffered from a lack of investment in our communities. This year and last year, we had two historic federal funding programs: The American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act. These will help us get the care we need and rebuild our economy. But for local and state governments to take advantage of this opportunity, rural leaders and organizations will need to help determine how to spend these funds and also help implement programs.

The Blueprint for Rural Policy Action in the States includes policy priorities, example legislation, and the context for how these issues impact people in rural communities.

In The Daily Yonder, RDI Executive Director Sarah Jaynes writes about the growing diversity or rural leadership and calls for more progressives to invest in their future.