In 2017, our founding group of funders gathered to consider how—working together—we might mobilize the power of philanthropy to strengthen rural Texas. Our group engaged in deep learning about issues impacting rural parts of the state and began to envision a shared strategy for investment in cross-sector issues impacting rural Texans’ quality of life.

We are now an independent nonprofit organization focused on collective action. Texas Rural Funders members are private foundations, community foundations, and a variety of intermediary organizations, both statewide and national, small and large.

Our unique interests in rural Texas span healthcare, education, economic development, infrastructure, and natural resources. What unites us all is our interest in increasing attention, resources, and collaborative action that strengthens rural Texas. By leveraging our diverse expertise and co-funding opportunities, we are able to make a bigger, more systemic impact than one funder could alone.