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Ending Persistent Poverty in Rural America: The Role of CDFIs

NonProfit Quarterly

This article introduces a new series, titled Eradicating Rural Poverty: The Power of Cooperation. For decades, community development financial institutions have delivered capital into communities and regions that otherwise suffer from disinvestment. This is true in urban areas and, critically, rural communities.

Poverty 117
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Making Policy Work for Rural Communities: The Value of Community Voice

NonProfit Quarterly

This article is the second in the series Eradicating Rural Poverty: The Power of Cooperation. Public funding programs often include conditions that exceed the capabilities of high-poverty areas, such as requiring matching funds that these areas do not have. A different approach that centers community voice is sorely needed.

Values 111
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Housing Innovation in Rural America

NonProfit Quarterly

This article concludes the series : Eradicating Rural Poverty: The Power of Cooperation. It is easy to disregard the lack of affordable housing options in rural areas when comparing the median housing value in Pine Bluff, AK (under $ 100,000 ) with that in New York City (over $750,000 ). But that is completely wrong.

Poverty 103
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How to Eliminate the Myth of Meritocracy and Build the World We Deserve

NonProfit Quarterly

The false belief that a person can leverage hard work and talent to pull themselves and their family out of poverty should they only try is a pervasive story that has shaped our culture and laws. In 1996, when the law was enacted, 68 percent of families with children living in poverty received welfare; in 2019, it was 19.5

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Impact investing: Catalyzing systemic change 

Candid

Examples of PRIs include investments in community development financial institutions, which make loans to small businesses owned by members of economically disadvantaged groups in underinvested communities. The Heron Foundation , for example, works with mission-aligned, poverty-oriented investment managers to grow its assets.

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Economic Justice: Nonprofit Leaders Speak Out

NonProfit Quarterly

Often, the very same nonprofit that is advocating for social justice policy may pay its own workers poverty-level wages. Nelson Colón of the Puerto Rico Community Foundation, and Clara Miller, president emerita of the Heron Foundation—come from philanthropy. The other five work for nonprofit intermediary organizations.

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From Food Pantry to Urban Farming: Food Justice Lessons from Camden

NonProfit Quarterly

While the answers remain complicated, we must use our collective power and community agency to address our needs. A Camden community vision emerges. Census figures confirm that Camden is a poor city (with a poverty rate of 33.6 However, persistent poverty plagues the city’s residents. percent) and overwhelming BIPOC (50.5

Food 130