Rural Development Officer Program
Since November 2003, the Foundation for Rural Living has been engaged in the development and delivery of the Rural Philanthropy Resource Network, an innovative approach to advancing the rural nonprofit and voluntary sector. This program has focused on philanthropy and fund development as a key strategy to building organizational capacity. An evaluation of this project has helped us understand the difficulties small rural organizations have in developing the organizational readiness and skills to execute a sound fund development plan and build sustainable programs and services for their community.
A key element in the Rural Philanthropy Resource Network is the Rural Development Officer Program (RDO's). RDO's and rural nonprofit and voluntary organizations at the community or regional level work together throughout the year on their fund development plan with ongoing support, coaching and mentoring from the Foundation for Living's Learning and Resource Centre. Since 2004, this program has focused on philanthropy and fund development as a key strategy to building organizational sustainability. A comprehensive evaluation of this project, has helped us understand the difficulties small rural organizations have in developing the organizational readiness and skills to execute a comprehensive fund development plan and promote philanthropy. Through this research and community discussion, we believe financial, human and infrastructure resources can be provided to rural organizations through a supportive model. Read more on the Rural Development Officer Program.
21 Rural Organizations join the 2007 Rural Development Officer Program in Nova Scotia
September 25, 2007 - A group of 21 rural nonprofit organizations are going "back to school" this September. They are participating in an innovative program that will help them become more financially sustainable by increasing their fund development capacity. "This program is helping us rediscover our real mission and to rely less on financial support from institutions that have other agendas and demands" said Della Longmire, Executive Director of The Women's Place in Bridgetown.
The Rural Development Officer program is sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Living and receives funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Rural Secretariat and the Nova Scotia Deparment of Health Promotion and Health Protection.
"The RDO program is innovative in a number of ways" says Wendy Johnston, Program Manager. "Although the program has overall learning objectives to increase the fund development capacity of participating organizations, its delivery is highly participatory, building on the assets and needs of participating organizations. This helps to create a unique curriculum making it a custom-tailored learning experience. It also builds on local expertise, celebrating the already extensive fundraising expertise in Nova Scotia.
The Foundation for Rural Living welcomes the following Nova Scotia organizations:
Acadia Centre for Social & Business Entrepreneurship
The Women's Place in Bridgetown
Canning Area Parents for Real Employment
Digby Area Learning Association
East Hants Learning Association
Fisherman's Cove Association
Centre for Rural Sustainability
Guysbrough County Adult Literacy Association
Hants County Arts Council
Joggins Fossil Institute
Literacy Nova Scotia
Mahone Bay Founders Society
New Ross Regional Development Society
People Power Pathways
Re-Evolution Youth
Ross Farm Museum
Rural Communities Foundation
Tatamagouche Centre
Tatamagouche Creamery Square Association
Terence Bay Resources Opportunities Centre
VON Annapolis Valley
7 Rural Organizations join the 2007 Rural Development Officer Program in Ontario
October 1, 2007 - A group of seven rural organizations is joining the Foundation for Rural Living in the deliery of the 2007 Rural Development Officer program in Ontario. "This years program allows us to work with rural organizations on their organizational readiness for fund development in addition to supporting the fundraising strategies of organizations" says Mary Lou Kominek, Program Coordinator. "Strong vibrant organizations have a number of organizational capacities that allow them to flexible, resilient and responsive to community needs. The RDO program's coaching and mentoring approach will explore these aspects of financial sustainability as well as fund development."
The Rural Development Officer program is sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Living and receives funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Rural Secretariat.
The Rural Philanthropy Resource Network and the Rural Development Officer program has received funding in Ontario through Service Canada’s Job Creation Partnership Program (JCP) for three project periods 2004, 2005, 2006. In 2006, the RDO program provided employment opportunities for 25 JCP eligible participants allowing RDO's to gain experience in one of the fastest growing professions in Canada - fund development. Working with a host agency located in a rural community, the RDO assisted in fund development and implementing strategies. Both the RDO and the ‘host agency’ were supported through the development of FRL’s virtual Learning & Resource Centre (this website!) which provided the resources, coaching & mentoring for RDO's to participate successfully in the project.
In 2007 the Rural Development Officer program has evolved to become a organizational capacity building program. Rural organizations and their fund development team participate in an unique fund development coaching and mentoring program that provides rural organizations with support, training and resources to enhance their financial sustainability.
The Foundation for Rural Rural Living welcomes the following Ontario Organizations:
The Brant Cultural Centre (Friends of Paris Culture)
Museums Bayham
Transitions Action Coalition (Open Doors for Lanark Children & Youth)
Technology Alliance Group for Kawartha Lakes
The Caledonia Old Mill Corporation
Fun With Books Association
Centre Ice Youth Centre Optimist Club of Western Elgin
Read more about past rural organizations who have participated in the Rural Development Officer Program
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