A rural impact network fueling change through grants, philanthropy & collective vision

Partners for Rural Impact isn’t just another nonprofit.

It’s a bold, community-rooted network catalyzing systemic change in education, health, and opportunity across rural America.

They’ve been running The Pollinator model since 2010—raising and aligning grants, federal funding, and philanthropic capital to seed long-term rural transformation.

Here’s how they do it—and what your network can learn.

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Partners for Rural Impact at a Glance

🌍 Based in Berea, Kentucky, now expanding nationally

👥 Operates in Kentucky, Texas, Missouri & more

📅 Founded in 2010 (formerly part of Berea College)

💸 $78M+ budget with 75%+ from federal grants

🤝 Blends public funding, big philanthropy & local ownership

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How PRI Implements the Pollinator Model

1. Blending Public & Philanthropic Capital

PRI anchors its funding in federal education grants (Promise Neighborhoods, GEAR UP, AmeriCorps), then attracts flexible philanthropic support from:

• Ballmer Group: $12.5M over 5 years
• Blue Meridian Partners: $5M for national scaling
• TLL Temple Foundation: $2M+ for East Texas
• Tyronn Lue Foundation: $2.5M for rural Missouri

These funds: