Welcome to IRSG's 2023 Rural Equity Summit!
NFG’s Integrated Rural Strategies Group (IRSG) is excited to invite you to join us for our third annual flagship event – the 2023 IRSG Multiracial Rural Equity Summit!
Whether you have a deep history of funding in rural or are trying to understand how your program or foundation can be investing in communities beyond the metro populations in your geography, this event is for you!
IRSG is not just a program for "rural funders." Indeed, NFG members banded together over five years ago to establish IRSG, recognizing that the vast majority of philanthropy does not identify as a rural funder - nor do they have a strategy of investing in rural organizing and power building. The ramifications for rural communities - particularly BIPOC and low-income communities - is real; with only about 7% of philanthropic funding going to rural communities - despite 1 in 5 Americans living in a rural area - rural communities experience some of the country's highest rates of persistent poverty, lowest health outcomes, and heightened impacts of climate change.
On the afternoons of Wednesday, January 25th and Thursday January 26th, funders are invited to come together to listen, engage in dialogue, and leave with actionable learnings and new relationships to support them in deepening their rural grantmaking strategies. IRSG's 2023 Summit is designed to:
- Increase collaboration and deepen the accountability of IRSG’s network;
- Bolster funders in our network to move boldly together to address climate justice, land sovereignty, building multiracial democracy and more; and
- Inspire and motivate funders to deepen their commitments to advance and resource justice and equity for rural communities.
We encourage you to register for both afternoons if able, but you are welcome to join for whatever portion(s) align best with your interest and schedule! Please note that you must register separately for each day.
Day 1: Wednesday, January 25th
11am-1:30pm PT | 12-2:30pm MT | 1-3:30pm CT | 2-4:30pm ET
Day 2: Thursday, January 26th
11am-1:30pm PT | 12-2:30pm MT | 1-3:30pm CT | 2-4:30pm ET
🌱 Planting the Seed for Continued Learning and Action 🌱
The 2023 IRSG Summit will offer:
- Space for funders and rural community leaders to build relationship and engage in learning about how multiracial rural power is built and what possibilities it holds for progressive change;
- An orientation to the work of the Integrated Strategies Group, including opportunities to join us throughout 2023 for continued connection, learning, and action;
- Deepening philanthropy's accountability by exploring commitments and actions we can make collectively and individually.
IRSG's programming, including this Summit, would not be possible without the following partners:
IRSG's Coordinating Committee:
- Lisa Fasolo Frishman, Engage New York
- Allistair Mallillan, Common Counsel Foundation
- Domenico Romero, Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
- Ryan Strode, Builders Initiative
- Olivia Trabysh, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
- Jaime Arredondo, Capaces Leadership Institute
- Eowyn Corral, Dakota Rural Action
- Angel Garcia, Californians for Pesticide Reform & CAPS (Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety)
- Janssen Hang, Hmong American Farmers Association
- Julianne Jackson, Black Joy Oregon
- Brandi Mack, The Butterfly Project
- Fabiola Ortiz Valdez, Food Chain Workers Alliance
Please email Stephan Cheney, IRSG Senior Program Coordinator, with any questions. We look forward to you joining us!
Event Details
When
Jan 25, 2023
11:00 am - 1:30 pm PT
Where
Virtual