Building Healthy Rural Communities in Natural Neighborhoods There will be no more rural areas that happen by accident. Rural economic development efforts must build business models that work to conquer poverty without destroying the rural way of life that characterizes much of the state. Building on a history of successes in land conservation and poverty initiatives, over time this project will use the tools of communications and grass roots coalition building to develop its advocacy position. By moving to this level, this project will demonstrate the leverage role that a collaborative group of philanthropic players can play through collective and focused action.
- Sustainable development in a rural community requires that the community be:
- Economically viable
- Environmentally sustainable
- Strong, with credible leadership and social equity
- People in rural areas are beginning to understand the threats to their way of life. The challenge is to make them as aware of the assets they have at their disposal, the capacities that haven’t been fully utilized.
Members of the Healthy Rural Communities Committee Include:
Chairperson, John SandsGaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation | Dawkins HodgesMary Reynolds Babcock Foundation | Denise SpencerCommunity Foundation of the Lowcountry | Gene CochraneThe Duke Endowment | Vicki JonesFoundation for the Carolinas | |
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Initiatives 
