Partners for Rural Impact

We’re proud to share the release of Building Evidence for an Emerging Field, a new white paper developed by Harvard Graduate School of Education’s EdRedesign in collaboration with Partners for Rural Impact, Purpose Built Communities, StriveTogether and the William Julius Wilson Institute at Harlem Children's Zone, alongside a national Place-based Partnerships Data and Evaluation Working Group.

The white paper reflects insights from leaders representing more than 100 place-based initiatives across 35+ states and explores an important question: how can cradle-to-career place-based partnerships better measure and demonstrate long-term impact for children, families and communities?

As communities across the country work to improve economic and social mobility, this resource outlines strategies to strengthen data practices, evaluation and evidence-building across the field, helping move promising work toward proven impact.

At PRI, we believe strong place-based partnerships, grounded in local context and powered by collaboration, can help ensure rural children and families have the support, connections and opportunities needed to thrive.

Read the white paper: edredesign.org/resources/building-evidence-emerging-field-white-paper-place-based-partnerships-data-and-evaluation

As we reflect on the 2026 Rural Summit, we’re grateful for the time, ideas and energy that shaped our experience in Buffalo last week.

Rural leaders and partners came together to share insights, experiences and a deep commitment to rural people, places and each other. What stood out most was a sense of togetherness. Not just being in the same space, but building something shared across communities, roles and perspectives.

Throughout sessions and conversations, there was generosity in lifting up what’s working, with substantive examples of partnership and innovation. These were not presented as finished answers, but as ideas to be strengthened and carried forward in communities across the country.

To amplify the brilliance in rural communities, speakers brought a shared commitment to ensuring young people have both roots and wings, empowering them to be grounded in who they are and where they come from while also having access to choice and opportunity.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s gathering possible.

We look forward to continuing this work together in Omaha, Nebraska for the 2027 Rural Summit.