Rural Health Capital Resources Council Receives Second Year of Funding

The Rural Health Capital Resources Council is a NOSORH program that began in the fall of 2021, with funding from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. The Council comprises over 30 organizations focused on increasing capital resources directed to rural health, including federal agencies, Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), philanthropy, national associations, and representatives of State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) and local initiatives.   

While we often think of using capital for hospital and clinic buildings or service development, there is a world of capital that builds healthy communities and reduces health inequities. CDFIs, USDA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), foundations and Treasury programs are just a few of the vast resources available. These organizations have the expertise and funds to address housing, transportation, early childhood, walking trails, broadband, food programs and the many other issues identified in community health needs assessments conducted by rural hospitals. There is a lot of enthusiasm among these organizations to work hand in hand with the rural health community by partnering with SORH. 

The first year of the Council focused on strategic planning. This coming year, the program is focused on building productive partnerships that will result in more capital flowing to the types of rural health programs needed at the state and local levels.   

Highlights of the strategies for the new fiscal year are: 

• • Learning together – NOSORH is working with capital resource agencies and organizations to design webinars and a learning community targeted to SORH, CDFIs, rural development organizations, philanthropy and other rural health and community development organizations. 
  • Power of Rural– The Council is building partnerships with agencies like USDA and SBA, philanthropic organizations, and the community development community. Through these partnerships, the success and economic impact that rural health has in building rural prosperity can be spotlighted. 
  • Building alliances – The Council will present at national meetings, host sessions with federal agency state directors, and develop joint training and projects. A goal is to provide technical assistance on how to build capital resource partnerships at the state level. 

Be on the lookout for information on the Council’s first webinar – Community Catalysts – and updates on a Capital Resources Learning Community starting next spring!