Challenges of Fundraising in Rural Areas: How small campuses raise funds in the land of cows, cotton, corn and timber
“Fundraising in rural areas and in those areas experiencing economic hardship represent a real challenge for small and medium-sized Colleges across the nation. In this session, we will share our ‘Top 10’ issues for working in these environments and how we are trying to solve them. Is there money in these rural communities to support the mission of the College? If so, how does the leadership team of the College build the relationships and community engagement that is needed and how should those messages be communicated? Following the presentation, we will seek the feedback and advice from those that attend to develop a list of “best practices.” We want the discussion to be interactive and productive. We believe rural fundraising is a niche that needs further exploration and discussion among CASE schools. Our campus, East Georgia State College, is in southeast Georgia and we serve 1,800 students. The city in which our main campus resides, Swainsboro, has a population of approximately 7,500.”