Rural Insights for Philanthropy

Becoming Part of the Tapestry

It’s a partnership between us and every single person that walks through the door.

– Robert Batt, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Extension (Orleans County, NY)

By: Katie Brisson, Senior Director of Special Initiatives
May 2026

Through this series, Senior Director of Special Initiatives Katie Brisson shares stories and insights from rural communities across Southeast Michigan and Western New York. Each post highlights lessons from local leaders that can help shape more responsive and effective philanthropy.

As we spend more time visiting the rural communities we serve, our foundation staff has come to the realization that – it’s not only what we see, but how we see – that leads to successful investments.  There is a need to learn about the legacies we are building on, and people we are building with.  Local leaders are best poised to provide that guidance.

As we think about how to honor Mr. Wilson’s legacy, we know the most lasting impact will be the investments that honor the donors who have come before us, and those who will come after us.  It has become clear that we need to weave our investments closely with the goals of residents, especially in communities where close-knit networks and shared stewardship make community vision deeply personal.

Local Leaders as Guides

One amazing local leader we have learned a lot from is Robert Batt.  Robert started coming to 4-H programs at the Orleans County fairgrounds when he was 8 years old.  He is now the Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) – Orleans, which oversees the 4-H programs, the county fairgrounds, and much more. 

Last September, the Foundation awarded a grant to CCE-Orleans County of $250,000 for upgrades to the Trolley Building on the fairgrounds campus.  A key building utilized by area nonprofits, government partners and residents – for everything from archery to baby showers to entrepreneur training – made it an obvious focal point for the grant.

Thanks to Robert’s guidance, the organization is also utilizing a portion of the grant to launch a new community collaboration program aimed at strengthening connections between nonprofit organizations from across the county.  Robert helped us make the investment better.  He helped us to understand the dynamics of the county’s civic infrastructure post-pandemic and how facilitated convenings could make a real difference at this time in spurring thoughtful partnerships.

Having the support to help us nonprofits talk about collaboration, focus on it, and create time and space that sometimes we all struggle to have … has been inspirational.

The Giving USA data continues to remind us that foundation dollars are just a portion of charitable giving in this country.  There is danger when organized philanthropy works on visions and goals isolated from the communities it serves.  Knowing philanthropic giving in rural communities is limited, we are particularly mindful of this.

No gift is worthwhile if it doesn’t connect to the aspirations of the people it is working to serve. 

The ones who are learners become the teachers… A mom of some of the younger 4-H kids was once in the program.  Now she’s a leader who’s out teaching her kids and other kids all about livestock and animal husbandry.  She dedicates hours and hours and hours of time.  … Eileen has probably contributed a small University’s worth of education to the people in our county.

Keeping Strong Ties

Having ties to home communities is critical for some nonprofits to survive, and this is made difficult when people move away.  We need to work to maintain those ties to inspire those still present. 

Turns out the “Trolley Building” was named after Harold Trolley who, in 1965, was president of the County Fair committee, right after they bought the grounds.  He was instrumental in building the first few buildings.  To this day, the Trolley family has made contributions to help with maintenance even though many of them have moved away.  Similarly, Robert told us about a former Master Gardener who moved south to retire, but still encourages his grandchildren to give back. 

While we always appreciate philanthropists and grants, people here are part of what we do, and they contribute just as much … And as long as we keep doing a good job, we keep people passionate.

Being Part of the Solution

To maximize the impact of philanthropic investments, it’s critical to learn on what you are building before you build.  The overall tapestry of our rural communities has already been woven.  As our foundation adds our threads to the whole, we will become a part of it.  If we do it right, the community won’t know a different type of thread has been added.  It just fits with the rest of it.

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