Convening

The Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia uses learning and conversation to help create new connections, ideas, insights and partnerships that will lead to effective, thoughtful solutions, meaningful collaboration and often unexpected action! Our convening leads to the sustainability of our rural and coastal environments.


 

Maureen Coady, Vice Chair, Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia

Vital Conversations

The Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia received a Community Foundations of Canada Vital Conversations grant to host a series of conversations about rural philanthropy. The following questions about rural philanthropy guided the vital conversations:

  • What is the difference between rural and urban philanthropy?

  • What is the role of philanthropy for rural transformation?

  • How do we build endowments in a rural context?

  • What are the most effective approaches to grant-making specific to rural communities?

  • What strategies are working now in rural philanthropy, and how can they be shared?

Our goal was to gather as many observations and insights about rural philanthropy as we could, relating not only to Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia, but also to the work of community foundations in general. To achieve this goal in a relatively short time, we asked our Board members to host conversations with people from their communities who brought a wide range of perspectives. As a result, the conversations included individuals with experience with non-profits, charitable fundraising, learning institutions, local philanthropic initiatives, social enterprise, and rural development.

image of rocky Nova Scotian shoreline with waves crashing
Cover page of a report titled 'Final Report: Vital Conversations on Rural Philanthropy in Nova Scotia' by the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia. The page features logos for Alliance 150, Canada 150, and Vital Conversation at the bottom.

Click here to read report