The Rural Development Officer Program
The Rural Development Officer program is an opportunity for your charitable, nonprofit, or community based voluntary organization to participate in a year long program designed to increase your fund development capacity and enhance your philanthropic investment.
In the Rural Development Officer program, rural nonprofit organizations partner with the Foundation for Rural Living to build a long term sustainability plan. But we know having a plan is only part of the strategy - coaching, mentoring and networking with your peers will help keep you moving forward to achieving some of those goals.
The Rural Development Officer program has your organization and fund development team participating in a combination of in-person and online learning, training and networking opportunities that along with the opportunity of implementing planning, strategies and activities in your organization are increasing your fund development capacity. We believe that each organization and individual participating in the program brings with them different skills, experience and a readiness level to begin a comprehensive fund development strategy. That is why the Rural Development Officer program actively engages you in developing and planning learning opportunities you require to meet your individual needs, and encourages you to participate as learners and coaches.
Training and Learning Opportunities
Rural Development Officers participate in training and learning opportunities that will provide them with the opportunity to develop and enhance their skills and build a career in fund development. Sessions are primarily conducted through an interactive e-learning environment that provides live training sessions, panel discussion and coaching. Additional opportunities are provided through access to print and web based resources.
Training and Learning Opportunities are posted in the Learning Centre.
Mentorship and Coaching
Sometimes a tip from a peer, guidance from the Executive Director or detailed advice from an experienced Fund Development Advisor is just what’s needed to address a fundraising challenge. RDO’s are mentored throughout their placement by their Host Organization’s Executive Director, the Senior Management Team at the Foundation for Rural Living and the Community of Advisors; our fund development experts. They are available to share their experience, provide a helping hand, stimulate learning and link the RDO to the resources needed to be successful in their position.
Linking Rural Development Officer Interns with Community Host Organizations
There are two ways in which Rural Development Officer Interns can enter the program:
- A Community Organization has made an application and been accepted as a Host Organization and a search is initiated for an individual to fill the role of a RDO Intern.
- An individual living in a rural community has identified an organization they would like to be placed in and the individual and agency make a joint application to the program.
Get Involved!
Find out how to be a part of the Rural Development Officer Intern Program
download our application form
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