ACCP Staff
In many rural communities across the United States, the ideas and talent for transformative change are already in place—but the funding often isn’t. Despite nearly 20% of Americans living in rural areas, updated research shows that only 3% of philanthropic dollars reach these communities. This growing disparity is precisely what CoBank’s new Rural Prosperity Grant Program aims to address.
Launched in 2025 as a $1.5 million pilot initiative, the program is designed to support the work of rural-serving organizations through unrestricted, flexible funding—and to learn from them as they progress.
“Our hope is that this funding is just the beginning,” said Ashly Ligouri, Corporate Social Responsibility Senior Manager at CoBank. “We see this program as a platform for shared learning and leadership. Our goal isn’t just to fund programs, but to raise awareness of the rural funding gap, invite others into the conversation, and learn from the organizations already doing the work. By elevating what’s working, we can help build a stronger case for long-term, sustained investment in rural communities.”
A Strategic Collaboration with Aspen Institute
To shape the program, CoBank partnered with the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group (Aspen CSG)—a leading voice in rural development since 1985. With deep experience in researching and supporting Rural Development Hubs, Aspen CSG helped CoBank design a program to reach organizations that drive innovation in economic development, entrepreneurship, and food systems.
Why Flexibility Matters
Grantees have used funds in a wide variety of ways—including economic development, entrepreneurship, food systems, education, health care, civic leadership, and hosting staff retreats that strengthen internal capacity. This kind of unrestricted funding is not only rare—it’s also strategic.
One grantee is using funding to expand impact investing in rural communities because in these areas, blended financing is often a necessity, as economic developers must usually piece together multiple revenue streams. Part of the goal is to formalize that skill set and ensure the next generation is equipped to leverage it.
A Response to Real-World Gaps
CoBank launched the program at a critical time. With federal funding cuts hitting rural nonprofits hard, the flexibility and timing of the grants provided a lifeline for many organizations. Grantees will also participate in peer convenings five to six times per year, sharing insights, challenges, and strategies.
“These convenings aren’t just check-ins,” said Ligouri. “They’re opportunities for grantees to learn from one another, share real-time challenges, and build the kind of peer support that strengthens capacity across the board. We believe the cohort model is key to growing collective impact.”
Laying the Groundwork for Future Investment
As a national cooperative bank and part of the Farm Credit System, CoBank has long invested in rural communities and agriculture, supporting essential services such as water systems, broadband, and electric distribution cooperatives. The Rural Prosperity Grant Program aligns with that mission and brings the bank closer to the communities it serves.
Ligouri also noted emerging collaborations between CoBank’s lines of business and grantee work, suggesting opportunities for skills-based volunteering or deeper cooperation in the future.
CoBank views this initiative as a launchpad for broader impact. The program is community-led, designed to foster shared learning and leadership, while also spotlighting the rural funding gap. Through this effort, CoBank hopes to spark meaningful conversations and inspire new avenues for collaboration.
What This Means for CSR Leaders
For corporate social impact professionals, CoBank’s Rural Prosperity Grant Program provides a blueprint for how to engage with rural communities—with humility, partnership, and a commitment to empowering local leaders.
The program’s early success shows what’s possible when funders value trust, flexibility, and local context as much as metrics. It’s also a call to action for the broader field: rural prosperity is everyone’s business, and the opportunity to make an impact is vast.
Because rural communities may be underfunded, but they are not under-resourced in ideas, leadership, or potential.
Learn more about the Rural Prosperity Grant Program: CoBank Launches Grant Program Focused on Rural Prosperity.
