How can funders get involved in NRFC?  What is required and what are the benefits?

NRFC’s grantmaking and capacity-building activities are supported annually by grants from its private foundation members, each of which will typically make a two- or three-year funding commitment to the work of NRFC.  Approximately 75% of grants made to NRFC go directly to its regranting support for regional collaborative initiatives in rural areas.  The remaining 25% of its funding supports NRFC’s capacity-building efforts, both regionally and in building the field. 

National and regional funders are equally welcome to participate, but often join for different reasons.  National funders often join for “issue-based” reasons -- collaborative learning and strategic alignment by which their respective institutional issues and foci for supporting rural regions and communities can be discussed, evaluated and tested in “on-the-ground” initiatives that bring together a broad, comprehensive response to rural community transformation.

Regional funders, on the other hand, often join in order to view their own regional work within a national context and framework and to develop strategic partnerships with national funders who can help to expand resources and connections and, thereby, increase sustainability of regional efforts.  The dialogue and ongoing learning among regional and national funders is an important benefit shared by all.

Any and all of the learning events are open to member funders, who are encouraged to attend.  However, funders are only required to make two learning events in the year.  Additionally, member funders are asked to make semi-annual steering committee meetings, often convened in conjunction with learning events.