Rural Grantees Not Hard to Find

To the Editor:

We at the Duke Endowment were pleased to see The Chronicle’s article on rural philanthropy (“Rural Areas Reach Out to Donors,” December 11) and interested to read about foundations that are turning their attention to these often-neglected communities. However, as a foundation that has been making grants in rural communities for almost 80 years, we don’t share the article’s view that grant makers wishing to fund rural organizations may not be able to find them.

While rural communities admittedly don’t have the variety of potential grantees found in urban areas, local churches and their many ministries provide a wealth of opportunities through which funders can help make a difference in the lives of rural residents. Also, as we have seen most recently through our Program for the Rural Carolinas — a five-year, $10-million effort to help organizations in rural communities improve their local economies — there is great potential in encouraging partnerships among local organizations that, with proper coaching and other support, can work together effectively to tackle complex issues that none of them would try alone.

Another lesson we have learned is that when dealing with rural areas, it’s helpful to understand that communities sometimes extend outside town limits or county lines, and that active and willing program participants that share your concerns are sometimes just a little farther down the road, or across the creek.

David Roberson
Director of Communications
Duke Endowment
Charlotte, N.C.