Rural Partners Membership Benefits

The Voice of Rural Illinois
Connecting people and communities with resources

The voice of Rural Illinois needs to be heard!  Your voice!  Your questions can be answered.  Your concerns can be addressed. Your goals can be defined.  Your leadership can be enhanced.  Your success can be shared.  You can do more for your community, your organization, your business and for yourself.

Yes, you can achieve greater things when you become a member of Rural Partners.  You will be part of a statewide, comprehensive organization that focuses on the economic vitality, quality of life and leadership development of rural Illinois.  You will benefit from interacting with many people and organizations to help achieve important personal and community goals. 
 
Rural Partners helps you connect with the resources needed to provide improved community services.  As a member, you can experience enhanced communication with government agencies, utilities serving rural areas, rural healthcare organizations, financial institutions, private businesses, other rural community leaders and many additional critical resources.  You can also gain access to practical, ‘take it home and use it’ information, education and networking. 

Rural Partners membership represents the diverse population of rural Illinois.  Members include local, state and federal governments and agencies; non-profit organizations; private businesses; and dynamic individuals.  Due to the representative membership and non-partisan status, Rural Partners is viewed as a significant voice for rural residents in Illinois.  Your voice needs to be included!


Special Membership Benefit!
Receive a weekly report by email or fax on available Grants and Funding opportunities as a special Rural Partners membership benefit!

Rural Partners was formed as a non-profit organization in 1989 to serve the State of Illinois by promoting enhanced coordination of private and public leadership efforts to improve community and economic development throughout rural Illinois.

Rural Partners embraces a comprehensive approach to rural development that recognizes the importance of all social organizations seeking to improve the quality of life in rural Illinois.

Rural Partners utilizes constituency groups and connects partners on many important rural issues including . . .
  • Expanding Broadband Access
  • Creating Affordable Housing
  • Enhancing Rural Education
  • Attracting and Retaining Industry
  • Improving Workforce Skills
  • Advancing Transportation Resources
  • Improving Rural Health Care
  • Providing Child Care
  • Enhancing Natural Resources
  • Developing Leadership Skills

Rural Partners convenes annual spring and fall conferences designed to provide access to innovative rural development strategies and networking capabilities.


Connecting with Partners
Rural Partners is your connection to the resources you need to bring economic and community development to your community.  Through your membership, you will have links to . . .
  • Capacity Building
  • Educational Conferences
  • Grant/Funding Resources
  • Experienced Partners
  • Web Portal Links


Raising Your Voice
Rural Partners serves on the following boards and collaborates with many additional organizations to promote rural issues.
  • The Governor’s Rural Affairs Council
  • The DECO – Small Business Development Center’s Advisory Board
  • The Extension Partners Board
  • The Peace Corps Fellows Advisory Board
  • The National Rural Development Partnership
  • Partners for Rural America


Membership Categories
President’s Council – $5,000
Annual membership.  Representative shall be entitled to serve on a special advisory council, receive annual conference attendance, newsletter, Grant Station and recognition at the annual conference.

Corporate Associate – $2,500
Annual membership.  Representative shall be entitled to annual conferences attendance, newsletter, Grant Station and recognition at the annual conference.

Corporate Member – $1,000
Annual membership, newsletter and Grant Station.

Regional Organization – $500
Annual membership, newsletter and Grant Station.

Local Government/Business – $200
Annual membership, newsletter and Grant Station.

Individual Member – $50
Annual membership for anyone interested in rural issues.  Entitled to newsletter and Grant Station.

Student Member – $20
Annual membership for full-time student.  Entitled to newsletter and Grant Station.



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