Models in Philanthropy: Tony Mestres on Community Foundations [Podcast]

Going Beyond Grants in Rural Communities

Giving Compass' Take: • This Exponent Philanthropy post explores grants aimed at rural communities and how distributed resources must include organizational development along with capacity building. • The basic question here is: How can we do a lot with a little? Underserved areas of this country must maximize their grant money, and that means thinking more strategically. • Here's why there's a big need for health system improvement in rural America. When it comes to grants in rural communities, small funders have a limited amount of grantmaking capacity and, to be impactful, must think about how to use those funds strategically to help their key nonprofit partners become more stable and proficient. This requires the funder to develop a more familiar relationship with the grantee—understanding its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—and be prepared to provide technical assistance (directly or through qualified consultants) as needed. This is particularly important in small rural communities that have fewer nonprofit agencies to work through.