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Kellogg Foundation Expands Rural Policy Networks

June 3, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kellogg Foundation Expands Rural Policy Networks

(Battle Creek, MI) -- The Rural People, Rural Policy (RPRP) Initiative welcomes 26 organizations joining the Rural Policy Networks. This multi-year initiative is designed to improve the lives of those living in small communities across the nation. Each organization receives a $100,000 grant (over five years) to participate in the Initiative

Of the seven Networks, there are four regional ones: Central Appalachia, Great Plains, Mid-South, and Southwest. Two are non-regional: an At-Large network and a Network of National Organizations. In 2008, Kellogg funded an existing Michigan Network. The Networks bring together diverse organizations for developing policies locally, statewide, regionally and nationally that positively impact small communities. 

The recent additions strengthen the Networks with rich expertise across various sectors including agriculture, land use policy, education, youth development and health.

“Our emphasis at the WKKF is to build and strengthen of the Networks while also encouraging their organic expansion and active engagement in policy change for rural people and places,” said Caroline Carpenter, Program Director, W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Joining the At Large Network:

• Community Economic and Entrepreneurial Development program (EXCEED) - Curators of the University of Missouri System, Columbia MO
• Equality State Policy Center, Casper, WY
• Farmworker Association of Florida, Inc. Apopka, FL
• National Center for Rural Health Professions, University of Illinois, Rockford, IL
• North Carolina Minority Support Center, Durham, NC

Joining the Central Appalachia Network:

• Appalshop, Incorporated, Whitesburg, KY
• Highlander Research and Education Center, Inc., New Market, TN
• Partnership of African American Churches, Institute, WV
• Rural Action, Inc. Trimble, OH
• Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc. Radford, VA  

Joining the Great Plains Network:

• Elkhorn Valley Community Development Corp. (NeighborWorks), Norfolk, NE
• Idaho Community Action Network, Boise, ID
• Miner County Community Revitalization, Howard, SD
• White Earth Land Recovery Project, Callaway, MN

Joining the Mid South Network:

• Mississippi Action for Community Education, Inc., Greenville, MS
• Tri County Rural Health Network, Inc., Helena-West Helena, AR
• Young People's Project, Inc., Jackson, MS

Joining the Network of National Organizations:

• National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation, Inc., Washington, DC
• National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, DC
• National Youth Leadership Network, Inc., Pierre, SD
• The Tribal and Native Lands Program - Trust for Public Land, Portland, OR
• UFW Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

Joining the Southwest Network:

• Children's Action Alliance, Phoenix, AZ
• Montezuma County Partners, Inc. Cortez, CO
• Southwest Center for Economic Integrity, Tucson, AZ
• Taos Health Systems, Inc, Taos, NM

Michigan Network:

• City of Ithaca, Ithaca, MI
• Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, Lansing, MI
• Great Lakes Capital Fund, Lansing, MI
• Michigan Community Action Agency Association, Lansing, MI
• Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Lansing, MI
• Rural Partners of Michigan, Jackson, MI
• USDA-Rural Development, Gladstone, MI