Heartland Fund Grants Boost Civic Engagement

The stakes are high this year, and it’s essential to fund groups as early as possible so they can build their leadership, field, and communications teams, strengthen relationships, and increase momentum ahead of campaign season. We're fighting against barriers to voting, gerrymandered districts that prevent competitive elections, and threats to how elections are regulated and certified. Additionally, the rise of disinformation and the loss of local media have disrupted normal communication methods. At the same time, historic federal legislation is on the table.

Heartland Fund grantees engage hundreds of thousands of people in rural areas, small towns, and small cities to encourage civic engagement and build power. By impacting local, statewide, and national government, the Heartland Fund network improves people’s lives and changes what’s possible in rural communities.

In 2022, we renewed grants to diverse groups leading powerful grassroots campaigns. Voces De La Frontera is engaging tens of thousands of voters in key parts of rural Wisconsin. Led by low-wage workers, immigrants, and youth, they have a groundbreaking relational organizing campaign. Faith in Public Life supports a diverse network of 2,500 faith leaders in Georgia. They particularly focus on South and Southwest Georgia, where there are critical opportunities for power-building and electoral outcomes at the local, state, and federal levels. Through the RAZE Leaders program, Rural Arizona Engagement supports young people in identifying the issues they want to work on, becoming their own subject matter experts, and creating solutions. Their campaigns have galvanized voters in Pinal county, and they are moving assertively into Yuma and other counties this year.

We also offered new grants to exciting emerging programs and initiatives. 603 Forward led a bold effort to recruit and support young leaders in New Hampshire. Michigan Rural Advocates are also implementing an ambitious rural engagement and messaging strategy to encourage neighbors in Michigan to turn out to the polls.

Heartland Fund also awarded its first three Rural Climate Partnership (RCP) grants in Minnesota, Georgia, and Arizona. Through investments in rural-based organizations and economic development hubs, as well as rural-focused advocacy and storytelling, RCP will help ensure federal funding spurs economic growth that advances clean energy and climate solutions, while reflecting local priorities, promoting racial and economic equity, and building political power.

A number of our grantees are national organizations doing work in our key states that complement our state-based grantees. Some national highlights include RuralOrganizing.Org deepening its network in Ohio and 1000 Women Strong expanding into East Texas. A new grantee, Courier Newsroom, is increasing civic engagement and combating disinformation by delivering local, relevant news to millions of low-information voters with local newsrooms in Wisconsin, Arizona, North Carolina, and other states.

The path to progress runs through rural America. Our grants ensure the groups in our network can build their capacity, engage in work that gives people the tools to make a difference in their lives, and mobilize people to engage in this year’s elections. This work requires ongoing, year-round engagement, and the opportunities far outstrip our current resources. With your help, we will continue to offer ambitious grant support to the highest impact efforts in small cities and rural areas.