Rural Prosperity and Investment

Equitable Rural Philanthropy

The Equitable Rural Philanthropy Program works to heighten the awareness and capacity of philanthropic entities to engage in rural communities. Our primary goal is to increase philanthropic investment in addressing intersectional rural equity issues of race, place, and class as a mechanism for systems change.

Local Partnerships for Public Funding

The Local Partnerships for Public Funding Program develops and facilitates collaborations between statewide and community-based partners. Collectively leveraging their diverse strengths and skills, they work to ensure that federal funds are used to do the maximum good in their communities.

North Carolina Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network (NCIDR)

The North Carolina Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network (NCIDR) is a collaborative of public, private, non-profit, and faith organizations seeking avenues for community voice and equitable access to resources in a disaster recovery system.

Dan Broun Award and Internship

MDC offers an internship to honor the late Dan Broun, a staff member who championed place-based strategies to improve outcomes for marginalized people in rural communities in the South.

Nonprofit Capacity Community

The Nonprofit Capacity Community provides coaching, resource tools, and support for nonprofit leaders to achieve greater impact and sustainability within their organizations and communities. It often serves as a liaison between larger funders and community-based organizations.

Rural Forward

Rural Forward identifies, strengthens, supports leaders to make rural counties healthier and thriving.

Equity Centered Leadership and Philanthropy

Race Matters
Institute

The Race Matters Institute works toward a more just and vibrant nation where every child, family and community thrives. For more than a decade, RMI has helped government units, nonprofits, community-based and regional organizations, philanthropies, and state and national networks become more race-informed and equity-focused in their work.

Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF)

Oak Foundation and MDC partnered to launch the Oak-MDC Emerging Leaders Fellowship (ELF) to support young leaders interested in social change, offering them an opportunity for practical experience as they learn how philanthropy can promote equitable systems-change.

Investing in Leaders of Color Fellowship (ILOC)

The Investing in Leaders of Color (ILOC) Fellowship is a one-year leadership- and capacity-building initiative to acknowledge and support the work of twelve leaders of color who serve communities of color throughout the Carolinas.

Autry Fellowship

The Autry Fellowship Program builds networks of emerging leaders who will address social issues related to equity in the South. Each year, MDC recruits a talented and passionate recent college graduate for this one-year Fellowship.

Equity Centered Leadership and The Equity Centered Leadership Institute

MDC’s Equity Centered Philanthropy and Leadership practice seeks to support a relational, ethical, and collaborative process of people and institutions fostering positive change that addresses the systemic impact of racial equity at the intersections of economic, gender, and other types of equity.