Rural Democracy Initiative


"I am a rural Latina. I was born, raised, and live in a rural community in Ohio, and I know what the perception is of rural America — that it's white and male. The reality is that there are many people of color who live in communities like mine, across the country. — Mónica Ramírez, attorney, activist and founder of Justice for Migrant Women
PicturePhoto courtesy of Black Voters Matter

Sarah Jaynes has been a strategic political advisor to the Kelly Ann Brown Foundation since 2016. When we met her, she was working at the Progress Alliance of Washington. In 2021, KABF gave a grant in support of the Rural Democracy Initiative, where Ms. Jaynes now serves as executive director. Founded in 2018, the Rural Democracy Initiative recognized the need for progressives to invest in rural America where communities had been ignored and stereotyped as consisting only of conservative white voters. Ms. Jaynes informed us that 24% of rural residents are people of color. To invest in rural communities, Ms. Jaynes said they focus on racial justice and “seek partnerships with groups working in rural communities of color and with young people.” The Rural Democracy Initiative’s purpose includes empowering leaders in rural communities who care about social justice by connecting them with regional and national funders.

Gerrymandering and newly passed voter suppression laws adversely impact communities of color and seek desperately to hold on to power by a nonrepresentative few. Through grantmaking and the creation of a just rural policy agenda, which the Biden administration is embracing, the Rural Democracy Initiative hopes to see positive progressive change in rural America. As Ms. Jaynes envisions, both federal and private resources have the ability to provide a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in infrastructure, health care, child care, clean energy, and more. The civic infrastructure we've invested in is poised to make an even greater difference.”

Ms. Jaynes is encouraged that rural organizing is resulting in positive changes. She has seen “rural municipal wins in places like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Montana — communities where effective groups have been running year-round engagement campaigns.”
PicturePhoto courtesy of We The People Michigan

The Rural Democracy Initiative’s Heartland Fund has been working to provide grantmaking capabilities to rural progressive groups. The Heartland Fund connected with over 40 funding partners, enabling close to $6.5 million to reach over 90 organizations throughout the U.S. in 2021.

As Ms. Jaynes notes, “Some examples of our grantees include Native American Civic Engagement, Wisconsin Native Voice, Western Native Voice, Alaska Native People's Action, Native Organizing Table (Minnesota).” The Rural Democracy Initiative supported organizing by Black leaders in rural communities including Black Voters Matter, North Carolina Black Alliance, and Black Male Voter Project. As Ms. Jaynes states, “Our grantees' civic engagement work literally saves lives and bolsters our democracy. The groups provide critical health, housing, and food aid to rural communities. They lead year-round campaigns to engage voters on local issues, develop leaders, communicate to the public about critical issues, advocate for progressive policy, and register people to vote. Providing local leadership, deep knowledge of local issues, and ongoing relationship building, our grantees played a key role in crafting and passing historic federal legislation, local implementation of progressive programs, and creating the conditions for future progressive victories that will transform the lives of people living in rural communities.”

Ms. Jaynes's goal for 2022 is to double their grantmaking to worthy rural organizations. In January 2022 alone, they have already given out $5.6 million. As she states hopefully and succinctly: “(The Rural Democracy Initiative) is helping progressive leaders understand the imperative and potential in rural engagement. Rural people are more diverse, younger, and more with us on the issues than many people realize. Where we organize, we can win.”
 
For more information visit their website: ruraldemocracyinitiative.org