Books and Articles #community engagement

The Principles for Rural Philanthropic Engagement report published by United Philanthropy Network provides a comprehensive framework for how philanthropy can engage rural communities more effectively, equitably, and sustainably. It outlines ten principles emphasizing elevating local voices, building trust-based and reciprocal relationships, investing in locally controlled assets, measuring impact in ways appropriate to rural scale and context, and embedding rural respect and accountability within funder systems and culture. The report moves beyond theory by offering detailed case stories from foundations across the country that demonstrate these principles in action, highlighting long-term relationship building, co-creation with community leaders, and adaptive funding approaches. Among these examples, William Moore’s work with the Central Texas Health and Wellbeing Network is featured as a case illustration of how funders can build durable, community-centered networks that elevate local leadership, strengthen civic infrastructure, and align philanthropic strategy with rural realities.

This brief describes an unfolding learning journey intended to strengthen social connection, resident voice, and agency to address inequities in rural health and well-being. Along the way, we have come to realize the important lessons for each of our institutions and ways in which we are better off for having taken this approach to our work.

This article discusses the REACH Healthcare Foundation’s original approach to their Rural Health Initiative and how it adjusted that approach in response to its rural partners’ experiences. It reflects on the challenges encountered in rooting the four conditions and capacities of community change and innovation – supports for implementation; foundational structures; skills and processes; and community engagement – into the work of community health improvement.