Rural philanthropy: a common concept in the US, but overlooked in the UK, despite countryside populations having distinct, often underserved needs.
Our new research aims to change that. We will work to understand how grant-making is currently serving rural communities and what needs to change so we meet future socio-economic needs.
Alongside our partners, we will set out an approach to establish a new field of study and practice on rural philanthropy in the UK.
“Rural communities are often missing from conversations about disadvantage and social change in the UK, yet we know there are deep and distinctive forms of need across the countryside.
This project is about cultivating a clearer evidence base for funding outside of towns and cities – exploring where funding goes, what works in rural contexts, and how funders can adapt their strategies to support these communities more effectively.
We hope this work will contribute to rural philanthropy taking root as a recognised field of knowledge and practice in the UK.”
Ben Cairns, IVAR
“Rural communities have distinctive strengths, relationships and ways of organising that offer important insights for philanthropy. Yet our understanding of need and impact is often shaped by national data and narratives that do not fully reflect the realities of rural places, where disadvantage can be hidden, dispersed and highly context-specific.
This project will support funders to make more confident, informed and equitable decisions, and help ensure philanthropy plays its fullest role in sustaining and strengthening rural communities.”
Emma de Closset, UKCF
“As two community foundations working in very rural counties we have long been aware of the invaluable role of funding that responds to and respects the nature of rural communities, but we have been concerned that the need for that funding and the impact it can have is not as widely recognised as it should be.
This partnership with IVAR is an important step in breaking new ground to increase the impact philanthropy has in rural communities across the UK.”
Justin Sargent, Somerset Community Foundation & Dr Nicola Frost, Devon Community Foundation
