Passion & Purpose: Fall 2026
The CFO and other nonprofits offer essential support to rural schools
Philanthropy plays a valuable role in advancing rural education. While it can’t be considered part of school districts’ core revenue, charitable funding — from scholarships to grants — has a crucial place in advancing opportunities in the classroom and supporting students’ futures, particularly in a time of flux for funding.
“Many small schools struggle with per-pupil funding models, economies of scale, and challenging tax bases, and are having to make hard choices with already challenging budgets and potential unfilled or underfilled roles,” says Taylor McCabe-Juhnke, executive director of the Rural Schools Collaborative, a CFO agency partner that works to build sustainable rural communities through a focus on place, teachers and philanthropy.
From her perspective, philanthropy — and greater community conversations — are part of forging a productive future for rural districts.
“We need to rethink rural school challenges; these are not siloed to K-12, but are instead an opportunity for community-wide solutions,” McCabe-Juhnke continues. “Nonprofits, higher-ed, philanthropy and definitely individuals have a great opportunity to wrap around and champion their local schools, from volunteering time, giving resources, or building creative partnerships.”
The CFO has long had a commitment to this work. An example is its Rural School Partnership, an effort that began in 2009 to encourage rural school districts to establish school foundations. Today, about 100 districts and foundations have partnered with the CFO to raise private dollars for needs and special projects not covered through public funding. That commitment is also seen through the Ozarks Teacher Corps, a program that supports future educators with funds for their college education and professional development if they commit to teaching in a rural district for at least three years after graduation.
Grant funding, of course, is a big part of this work. In partnership with the CFO, the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation grants annually to support needs in districts across central and southern Missouri. In May, 24 rural school districts and school foundations received $98,000 to “amplify local voices, showcase student success and strengthen community connections.” Supported projects ranged from books and supplies for a literacy program that engages students, families and staff, to the creation of a mural that highlights growing up in rural America.
That philanthropic support also translates through actions by people whose connections — with a community or a cause — lead them to give back. Scholarships are a key example: The CFO distributes more than $1.7 million each year for college, graduate and technical education. Many of those scholarships are created by donors with a desire to make a long-term impact on the lives of people in their communities.
“The CFO’s scholarship program exists because of the hundreds of donors who choose to invest in students,” says Beth Hersh, the CFO’s director of scholarships. “Their generosity creates life changing opportunities and makes a direct, measurable impact on students’ ability to pursue higher education and reach their goals.”
—by Kaitlyn McConnell