Join colleagues from around the region for the next gathering about rural funding in the Southwest. This meeting provides foundations that fund (or want to fund) in rural Southwest communities a chance for peer learning and networking. At the meeting, funders will have the opportunity to share with one another about their work in rural communities and learn from experts in the field.

When
1:30 pm Wednesday, May 9 to 1:00 pm Thursday, May 10, 2018
(program begins promptly at 1:30 pm on Wednesday and includes lunch on Thursday)

Location
The Meadows Foundation
3003 Swiss Aveune
Dallas, TX 75204

Lodging
Registrants are encouraged to book hotel reservations early. Hotels near the conference center:
Home2Suites by Hilton
Sheraton Dallas Hotel
Fairmont Dallas
Crowne Plaza Dallas Downtown
Magnolia Hotel Dallas Downtown
Omni Dallas Hotel

Questions?
Michelle Monse, Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation
Ellen Ray, Still Water Foundation
Wynn Rosser, T.L.L. Temple Foundation
Karin Gerstenhaber, Tocker Foundation

Rural Funders Gathering May 2018 Sessions

News from the Texas Funders Collaborative
Get a first look at exciting developments for the upcoming Texas Tribune Rural Symposium and learn about a compelling new research report on rural Texas. Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith kicks off this insightful session with a sneak preview of the November symposium on all things rural, including physical and social infrastructure, healthcare and education. Attendees will also hear from Monique Wilson of the Boston Consulting Group as she shares findings from a new, in-depth rural research report. You’ll be among the first to learn about fresh insights that will not only inform the Tribune symposium, but may also lead to avenues for change. Then we will hold a lively brainstorming session to identify ways that funders can help activate the symposium, from watch parties to scholarships for attendance by local leaders. Feedback is encouraged, so bring your ideas!
Presenters:
Evan Smith, CEO, Texas Tribune
Ellen Ray, Still Water Foundation
Monique Wilson, Project Leader, Boston Consulting Group

Leadership Development through Capacity Building
Capacity building, a continuous improvement strategy toward sustainable and effective organizations organically creates strong leaders. This session will explore the intersection of these two pinnacles of non-profit success with two foundations working in rural Texas and Oklahoma. The Priddy Foundation will discuss their certificate program for non-profit leaders as well as The Institute, a two and a half day relaxed, yet intense immersion into best practice. The Texas Pioneer Foundation will discuss the Texas Education Foundation Network, an ongoing program of the foundation that offers support, training and networking opportunities for school district foundations.
Presenters:
Shelley Sweatt, President and CEO, The Priddy Foundation
Fred Markham, Texas Pioneer Foundation

Replication, Scale, and Research in Rural Education
This panel will feature three approaches to understanding and serving rural students from elementary school to higher education.  Learn about a rural postsecondary initiative designed for statewide scale through a state agency and considerations being given to geography, a variety of stakeholders, and building internal capacity of a large state agency.  Find out about replication of a middle school mathematics initiative from a more urban region to a rural region and how objective student data is being used to inform pedagogy and curricular design.  Hear from a passionate, committed faculty advocate who is implementing education research in a variety of rural settings to ensure rural students and rural places are present in education research.
Presenters:
George Grainger, Sr., Director of Strategic Partnerships, Texas A&M Foundation
John Lamb, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. of Mathematics Education, Univ. of Texas, Tyler
Brittany Hott, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. of Special Edu, Texas A&M Univ-Commerce
Wynn Rosser, Ph.D., President and CEO, T.L.L. Temple Foundation (Moderator)

Persistent Poverty to Sustainable Prosperity: Rural Economic Development Successes
Defying the common narrative that only cities offer economic opportunity, Communities Unlimited develops entrepreneurs, creates sustainable wealth, and improves water infrastructure in rural communities in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and four other states.  The nonprofit community economic development organization offers technical assistance, financing for entrepreneurs and community projects, and partnerships with groups like the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship to develop and implement community-driven projects that build on local assets.  CU’s CEO Ines Polonius will discuss her agency’s recent work in Dumas, AR (arts); DeWitt, AR (biofuel) and Clarksville, TX (entrepreneurship).  She will also give a brief update on CU’s Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
Presenter:
Ines Polonius, CEO, Communities Unlimited

Please Note:  This program is not intended to be an opportunity for solicitation of any kind, including solicitaion for business, fund management, or grants.