Ask Catalyst

Ask Catalyst Issue II: Supporting Rural Communities

QUESTION

Our foundation is considering expanding to fund rural areas, including Imperial County. How can we better understand local needs and support the work already happening? 

ANSWER

When Catalyst expanded our work to Imperial County in 2020, we knew we had a lot to learn. I would encourage funders to approach this work with both curiosity and a commitment to long-term partnership. Here are a few key insights we’ve gained from working in Imperial: 

  1. Revisit what a ‘grantee’ means for your organization. In rural areas, impactful work often happens outside of traditional 501(c)(3) structures. Consider how your funding could support fiscal sponsorships, community groups, or organizations like libraries, faith communities, small businesses, and colleges. Change looks different in different communities, and informal networks and leadership structures can be just as impactful as large institutions.  
  2. Recognize that impact may look different. Local funding in Imperial County is more limited than in San Diego, and systemic challenges take time to address. Funders should be prepared to make a long-term commitment – five years or more – and understand that the pace of change can vary. Factors like limited staff capacity, leaders balancing multiple roles, and seasonal realities (Imperial often slows down in August due to extreme heat) shape how change happens, and it may not fit your traditional metrics of return on investment.  
  3. Assess your staff’s familiarity with the community you are engaging with. Consider whether your staff has the knowledge, experience, and relationships to engage effectively.  Understanding the history of funding in the region, including past partnerships and community dynamics, can help build trust and strengthen your approach.  
  4. Commit to listening and working alongside the community. Effective funding in rural areas isn’t about starting from scratch; it’s about recognizing and strengthening the work already happening. This means taking the time to listen, co-create solutions, and engage deeply with the community’s history, expertise, and priorities. Strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful, long-term impact.  

I hope these tips are helpful as you explore funding in Imperial County and other rural areas. If you’d like to connect further, please feel free to reach out. If you want to expand your knowledge, I also found these resources helpful: 

Looking to learn more and connect with others engaging in this work? Join us for the inaugural Imperial Valley Funder Collaborative on Thursday, February 27.