Bridging the Philanthropy Gap in Rural America: Why We Must Act Now

A recent article in Econ Focus highlights a critical issue facing rural America: a vast disparity in philanthropic giving. Despite accounting for nearly 20% of the U.S. population, rural areas receive only 3-7% of the funding from major philanthropic organizations. This gap leaves communities like Warsaw, Virginia—featured in the article—facing uphill battles to secure the resources they need to revitalize and thrive.

In Warsaw’s case, a mix of grant funding, community partnerships, and sheer determination transformed their downtown, attracting businesses and visitors alike. However, for many rural communities, the challenges outlined in the article—limited capacity, fragmented public programs, and lack of sustained investment—remain barriers to progress.

Connecting the Dots: Rural Sauk County

Here in rural Sauk County, the issues raised in Econ Focus resonate deeply. While we’ve seen successes—such as community-led projects to address housing, infrastructure, and tourism—the struggle to access consistent, meaningful funding is real. Small towns like Spring Green and Baraboo often rely on overburdened local leaders wearing multiple hats to identify and apply for grants or partnerships. Meanwhile, the philanthropic and federal funding systems are usually complex and heavily skewed toward urban areas with larger populations.

The challenges aren’t insurmountable, but they demand action. As the Econ Focus article argues, we need “patient capital”—long-term investment to rebuild capacity and foster sustainable growth. In Sauk County, this could mean targeted funding to support housing projects, improve rural infrastructure, or even bolster efforts like the Spring Green River Valley Recreation Center.

Why We Need to Act

The issues highlighted in the article aren’t just academic—they’re here today, impacting our communities. We can’t afford to keep skirting around them. Addressing these disparities requires:

1. Expanded Funding for Rural Areas: Philanthropic organizations must reimagine their priorities to include rural regions like Sauk County.

2. Capacity-Building Support: Small towns need resources to help navigate grant systems and craft successful proposals.

3. A Focus on Relationships: Philanthropies must get on the ground, build trust with rural leaders, and listen to their unique needs.

4. Long-Term Commitment: Real change requires consistent investment over decades, not years.

Moving Forward

Warsaw’s story is inspiring, but it shouldn’t be the exception but the rule. Sauk County has the talent, creativity, and community spirit to tackle these challenges. What we need is a fair shot at the resources necessary to make lasting change.

The Econ Focus article illuminates these systemic barriers, and we must push for solutions. Rural America, including our own backyard, is too critical to ignore.

Let’s work together to ensure every small town in Sauk County and beyond has the opportunity to thrive.

Read the full article here: Philanthropy in Rural America

What do you think? How can we bridge the philanthropy gap in our rural communities? Let’s discuss in the comments!