Our Mission
Celebrating 10 Years of Rural Schools Collaborative
As we celebrate Rural Schools Collaborative’s 10th anniversary in 2025, we are filled with gratitude for the journey alongside rural educators, students, and advocates. What began as a desire to support rural schools has grown into a national movement, with impact far beyond what we ever could have imagined. At the root of it all are partnerships, collaboration, and a shared unconditional belief in the possibility of rural places.
In 2021, RSC’s founding director, Gary Funk, passed the torch to new leadership. His family created a $50,000 endowment for RSC, signaling a belief that our impact would continue into an unknown future.
In 2024, our Board of Directors made a commitment to match the Funk’s endowment in advance of our 10 Year Anniversary. Through a special campaign honoring our Founding Board members, we exceeded the goal of $100,000 in endowment, affirming yet again that RSC is here to stay.
Thank you to all who have been a part of the first decade of RSC. We are thrilled to celebrate with you!
Who We Are
Rural Schools Collaborative maintains a small, dedicated team to support our Regional Hub Network programs and partnerships.
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RSC Programs
As a collaborative network, the many partners of Rural Schools Collaborative make possible our diverse programs dedicated to building strong and sustainable rural communities.
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Theory of Change
Every rural community needs well-resourced schools, talented educators, peers to support them, and a positive outlook for the future.
Learn MoreRegional Hub Network
Rural Schools Collaborative's Regional Hub Network brings together local rural-serving organizations to work together on behalf of rural communities. The Regional Hub Network provides a flexible and cost-effective infrastructure that connects authentic regional efforts to the national dialogue. Regional Hubs share resources, stories, and learnings to strengthen rural education across the country.
The latest from our Hubs and Partners:
News and Updates
Capturing Community Stories at the Captina Creekin’ Festival
Ohio University Rural Teacher Corps students capture sense of place and community through storytelling
‘That’s not my job’ Isn’t a Thing: Inside the thriving Menoken School (ND)
Dedicated and adaptable teachers create a family-friendly, student-centered learning environment in Menoken, North Dakota
I Am A Rural Teacher: Mary McHugh - Sweet Briar, ND
Mary shares her passion for designing effective education in a small North Dakota school
How to Build Resilient Teachers: An Interview with Aaron Nydam, PhD
In this interview, Aaron Nydam (Wyoming) shares the research and results of his dissertation on teacher resiliency.