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A strong sense of connection to community is a powerful but underutilized asset in rural America, where nearly half of residents (46%) expressed a desire to become more involved but fewer than 10% currently lead local action, and, philanthropic support is even lower.
In a study by Gallup, for the LOR Foundation in Lander, Wyoming titled “Unlocking Local Leadership: Why Rural People Step Forward to Help Their Communities,” improving social connections and creating easier access to financial support emerged as ways to support further action.
LOR Foundation has invested roughly $80 million to support locally led solutions in the region. Despite U.S. Census data that shows more than 20% of Americans live in rural areas and 97% of the nation’s land mass is considered rural by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, only 3% of philanthropic dollars reach rural places according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. And, federal grant funding per capita is about 30% lower in rural areas. These gaps highlight the urgent need for targeted investment and support in rural America — as well as a better understanding of what motivates and prevents locals from taking the lead in their communities, according to foundation officials.
More than eight in 10 rural Americans say they are proud to be part of their communities (81%) and that people in their communities help one another when needed (82%). This emotional connection forms the foundation for community engagement. Among those who report high levels of community cohesion, 42% are motivated to lead a local initiative, over triple the rate of those perceiving low cohesion (12%), according to authors of the study’s report.
Rural Americans are especially likely to contribute through informal acts of support, with 68% saying they frequently help neighbors, compared with 55% of urban Americans. A gap emerges when it comes to formal leadership involvement, with fewer than one in 10 rural residents saying they have organized or led a local event or program, even though 22% said they are somewhat or very motivated to do so.
Although financial resources are often needed to start a project, when asked what would make them more likely to lead a local project or initiative, the most common motivator that rural Americans report is being connected to others who want to work alongside them (65%).
Barriers Prevent Action Despite Readiness
The most common obstacle to organizing or leading a local initiative is a lack of financial support, cited by 68% of rural respondents. Other challenges include not having enough people to help (60%), not having time (59%) and not knowing where to begin (52%). Notably, four in 10 say they simply haven’t been asked to lead.
“Rural Americans don’t lack ideas or motivation for helping their communities; we see that work in action every day,” Gary Wilmot, executive director of the LOR Foundation, said via a statement. “What they need is support for what they are already building. Strengthening these local connections and increasing investment is key to unlocking that untapped potential.”
The poll demonstrates rural people already connect with and support each other regularly and at higher rates than their urban peers. Given the right conditions, they are motivated to do more for their communities. Nearly half (46%) would like to be more involved. This desire to do more to ensure their communities are vibrant places to live means that targeted investment of resources into these communities could be even more catalytic, according to the report’s authors.
Results for the Gallup poll are based on web surveys conducted June 25-July 16, 2025, and mail surveys conducted June 25 through Aug. 18, 2025, with 4,577 members of the Gallup Panel. The Gallup Panel is a nationally representative, probability-based panel of U.S. adults, aged 18 and older.
Go here to see the full report, https://www.gallup.com/analytics/697370/unlocking-local-leadership.aspx
