Don't miss:
Case stories that exemplify each of the community fund structures described in Covering Rural Territory are also available online.
Thinking and Action Framework:
Covering Rural Territory
Covering Rural Territory: A Framework of Rural Service Structures for Community Foundations is an online (or, alternatively, pdf) guide for community foundations that want to think creatively about how to better serve the rural territory within their service areas. It describes six coverage structures that a community foundation might consider:
- consolidated service
- area fund
- federation
- service bureau
- incubator
- partnership
For each of these potential structures, Covering Rural Territory then examines the following chacteristics:
- structure definition and distinguishing characteristics
- related goals and rationale
- relationship with rural stakeholders
- mechanism for governance and representation
- management structure
- staffing structure
- method of endowment building
- investment policies
- non-grantmaking program activities
- grantmaking activities
- cost/benefit considerations
- overall pros
- overall cons
- examples of community foundations that have adopted each structure (some of which are described in online case stories)
Covering Rural Territory represents accumulated knowledge from a decade or so of intensive work with community foundations that serve rural areas. Use it at a board/staff retreat, when a new funder approaches your foundation, or whenever you need to actively engage your board, staff and other stakeholders in determining the best coverage structure for your organization and region.
Rural Development Philanthropy Learning Learning Network
The Aspen Institute
One Dupont Circle NW
Suite 700Washington DC 20036
Ph. 202.736.5804Fx. 202.293.0525
rdpinfo@aspencsg.orgwww.aspencsg.org/rdp