Allen Smart is a national spokesperson and advocate for improving rural philanthropic practices under his group – PhilanthropywoRx. He is also the Project Director for a national rural philanthropic project based at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Allen regularly consults with regional and national foundations on rural and philanthropic strategies.
In this episode of Innovation for All, Allen discusses the complexities of rural America and how a lack of acknowledgement of its diversity is holding back the work being done there.
In this episode you will learn:
- What diversity looks like in rural America
- How the misunderstanding of rural communities is a barrier to development
- How philanthropic, government and businesses can improve their work in rural communities
- Why there is a sense of frustration within rural America
- Whether the sudden interest in investing in rural America is being done right
- How diversity, specifically immigrants and communities of color, is both an old and new issue that must be addressed in rural America
- How to invest in the talent and skills of rural entrepreneurs
- What the future of rural innovation looks like
Links and mentions:
- PhilanthropywoRx
- Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
- The Rapides Foundation
- The Daily Yonder
- Exponent Philanthropy
- Grantmakers in Health
- Southeastern Council of Foundations
- National Rural Assembly
- Office of Rural Health Policy
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Healthy Communities by Design
- Blandin Foundation
- Orton Family Foundation
- Dee Davis of the Center for Rural Strategies
- Doug O’Brien
- Rural Resource Hub
- National Rural Health Association
Connect with Allen