Rural Action Network®
Strengthening rural leadership, building networks, and connecting funders to communities.
Rural Action Network® (RAN)
Community Resource Center’s (CRC) work is defined by a unique focus on rural communities, intentional cross-sector outreach, and creating spaces that deepen local impact and opportunity. Each year, CRC serves thousands of nonprofit professionals, with programming that spans training, funding connections, and leadership development.
RAN is CRC’s statewide strategy to strengthen rural leadership, build cross-sector networks, and connect funders to communities. Through a four-year cycle (2026–2029), RAN will:
- Host Rural Philanthropy Days® (RPD) conferences in each of Colorado’s eight rural regions. In 2026, CRC will host RPD in the Northeast region in July and Heart of Colorado in October.
- Deliver Virtual Funder Roundtables to sustain connections between nonprofits and funders between major convenings.
- Provide regional trainings and capacity-building supports designed with local leaders to respond to local opportunities.
- Expand place-based staffing to ensure consistent, locally rooted presence in every rural region by 2030.
Rural Philanthropy Days
In 2026, CRC is hosting two RPD conferences in the Northeast and Heart of Colorado regions.
The Rural Philanthropy Days (RPD)® program provides a powerful opportunity for the state’s most influential funders, government representatives, business leaders and local nonprofit organizations to strengthen partnerships and better meet the needs of Colorado’s rural communities. CRC hosts 2 RPDs each year in alternating regions.
Virtual Funder Roundtables
Serving San Luis Valley, Western Slope, Southwest and Southeast regions.
Virtual Funder Roundtables allow nonprofit staff and grant seekers the opportunity to learn more about leading foundations and also pitch their organization to leading Colorado funders alongside other nonprofit leaders. Learn more about the 4 regions that are hosting the Virtual Funder Roundtables in Feb, March, April and May 2026.
Why Rural Matters
Over 719,000 Coloradans live in rural areas, nearly one-quarter of whom are people of color. Rural nonprofits are essential lifelines in their communities, yet they face persistent inequities: higher poverty rates, fewer philanthropic investments, and limited access to training and networks compared to their urban counterparts. Rural leaders, however, bring forward innovative solutions and deep community knowledge. CRC’s role is to connect them to the resources and relationships needed to bring these solutions to life.
History of Rural Philanthropy Days® & our Rural Action Network (RAN)
Established more than 30 years ago
For more than 30 years, CRC has been organizing the Rural Philanthropy Days (RPD)® program, which provides a powerful opportunity for the state’s most influential funders, government representatives, business leaders and local nonprofit organizations to strengthen partnerships and better meet the needs of Colorado’s rural communities. What started as a single event for Mesa County nonprofits and Front Range foundation representatives in 1990, has grown into a statewide, year-round program that remains rooted in developing and strengthening rural leaders and nonprofits and increasing philanthropic investment in rural communities.
Recognizing the need for consistent, year-to-year support in rural communities, CRC integrated RPD into our broader Rural Action Network (RAN) program to expand connection-building and capacity-building opportunities across Colorado.
Thank You to our Rural Action Network® Funders
