Rural Pathways

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Company Description

Rural Pathways, a women-owned social enterprise based in Duluth, Minnesota, is dedicated to “bold strategies for quiet places”, empowering rural nonprofits and communities to thrive. Through grant writing, program evaluation, applied research, and technical assistance, Rural Pathways delivers essential support to help organizations and communities achieve lasting success.

Founded by Drs. Staci Gilpin and Charity Anderson, Rural Pathways is supported by a diverse network of highly skilled affiliates—professionals with deep personal and professional expertise across a wide range of fields. As individuals with lived experiences in rural areas, we intimately understand the unique assets and challenges that these communities face. This insight allows us to provide tailored, practical support that aligns with the specific needs and opportunities of rural organizations.

Our collaborative model enables us to address complex challenges with innovative, customized solutions, focusing on economic mobility and community development in historically underserved areas.

As part of our commitment to social impact, we donate 10% of our profits back to the communities we serve, ensuring our work fosters meaningful and lasting change.

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Services Provided

Grant Writing: We specialize in grant writing, grant management, fundraising, and prospect research to help your organization secure the resources it needs to thrive. Every organization has a story to tell, and success depends on effectively communicating that story. If time, staff capacity, or experience are barriers to crafting winning proposals, we’re here to help. We bridge your resource gaps, identify viable funding opportunities, and write compelling grant applications that align with your mission and goals.

Applied Research & Program Evaluation: Our applied research and program evaluation services gather valuable insights directly from community members, enhancing local practices and driving meaningful improvements. We assess the effectiveness of programs and initiatives in meeting community needs, offering actionable insights that help organizations improve outcomes. Program evaluations are especially vital for nonprofits—they demonstrate whether a program is successful and worthy of continued funding. Investing in evaluation signals to funders that your organization prioritizes efficiency, effectiveness, and impact, increasing the likelihood of future support.

Technical Assistance: We provide targeted support tailored to your organization’s specific needs. Whether it’s data analysis, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, or staff training through workshops and professional development, we act as temporary team members (fractional professionals), stepping in to tackle tasks that require specialized expertise or extra capacity. Let us help your team achieve more by filling in the gaps and driving your goals forward.

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Fee Structure

We operate as a fee-for-service LLC and are committed to working with organizations of all budget sizes. If funding is a challenge, we can help connect you with potential funders who may be able to support your project.

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