On November 4, 2022, 166 nonprofit representatives and funders from across Texas gathered at Blinn College in Schulenburg, TX, for the inaugural Rural Philanthropy Day hosted by the Greater Fayette Community Foundation and the Stanzel Family Foundation.
Rural Philanthropy Day (RPD), a one-of-a-kind professional development event, was designed to build the capacity of our local nonprofits and strengthen their relationships with funders in our rural area.
Nonprofit staff and board members came together in the morning to learn more about building internal capacities in various areas, including governance, fundraising, operations, volunteers, grant writing, and marketing.
Funders from all over the state, including foundations, corporations, banks, and individuals, participated in the afternoon round-table sessions at On Pointe Studios in Schulenburg, TX.
This opportunity allowed funders to learn from local nonprofits and discuss solutions to the unique challenges facing our rural communities.
Of the 166 individual participants, 73 nonprofit organizations and 30 funding organizations were represented. Attendees joined from a large geographical span, with the furthest nonprofit traveling from as far as Roscoe, TX, 374 miles away.
Reenie Collins, Co-Chair of the event and Greater Fayette Community Foundation board member, summarized the day saying, “The work of all the RPD participants as nonprofit leaders, board members, and funders in our communities is what makes our small Texas towns such vibrant and caring communities. We hope everyone left the event with a renewed sense of purpose and passion, as well as a wealth of knowledge and resources that will help their organizations better serve their mission.”
The Greater Fayette Community Foundation and Stanzel Family Foundation would like to thank all who supported and participated in the day.
Without the help of so many, the event would not have been as successful and impactful for our rural region.
We are happy to announce the second annual South Central Texas Rural Philanthropy Day on November 3, 2023, at Randolph Recreation Center in La Grange, TX.