National Grantmakers Support Expansion of Rural Education Programme
Dreama Gentry, inspired by the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone, a renowned non-profit organisation in central Harlem, met with its founder Geoffrey Canada in 2010. This meeting sparked a change in Gentry’s rural education programme in eastern Kentucky, leading to the birth of Partners for Rural Impact (PRI). With a vision to support youth from birth through college, PRI received a Promise Neighborhood grant from the U.S. Department of Education to model anti-poverty projects after the Harlem Children’s Zone’s “cradle-to-career” approach.
Over the past decade, PRI has made significant strides in rural communities, focusing on comprehensive educational, medical, and social services with the help of federal grants. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, PRI has shown improvements in key areas like kindergarten readiness and high school graduation rates. Now, the Ballmer Group and Blue Meridian Partners, alongside other regional grantmakers and donors, are backing PRI to expand its successful model to rural regions in Texas, Missouri, and beyond.
With a focus on fostering community partnerships to enhance student outcomes, PRI’s work is crucial in areas with limited institutional resources. The Ballmer Group has committed significant funding to support PRI’s efforts, recognising the impact of a diverse group of community leaders working towards common goals in rural settings.
PRI’s expansion to locations in East Texas and Missouri, with support from local figures like Tyronn Lue and organisations such as the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, showcases the programme’s versatility and adaptability. By engaging with local leaders and addressing specific community needs, PRI aims to set a blueprint for improving education outcomes in rural areas across the country.
With a budget primarily sourced from federal and state grants, PRI also relies on philanthropic support to bridge funding gaps and ensure the sustainability of its initiatives. Despite the challenges rural communities face in attracting philanthropic funding, PRI’s success in garnering support highlights the potential for impactful interventions in these underserved areas.
As PRI continues to make strides in transforming rural education, its commitment to local leadership and community-driven solutions remains at the core of its work. By partnering with stakeholders, institutions, and donors, PRI is paving the way for a brighter future for students in rural America.