Rural Youth Institute Featured in Chronicle of Philanthropy

At the heart of our work is a simple but powerful belief: when we invest in long-term relationships and cultivate a deep sense of belonging with young people, we create the foundation for them to thrive and aspire.

Through RYI’s signature program, the Aspirations Incubator, we’ve built a model that prioritizes connection over curriculum, people over programs. The Incubator partners with community-based organizations across rural Maine to provide young people with a 360° network of support: mentors, educators, and peers who walk alongside them from middle school through high school graduation.

Our work was recently highlighted in the Chronicle of Philanthropy article “Spending It All: How a Small Foundation’s Big Bet Is Changing Lives.” The piece tells the story of how the Rural Futures Fund made a bold decision in 2016: to focus its remaining endowment on a single, long-term investment in rural youth.

Rather than scattering resources across dozens of initiatives, we bet big on sustained partnership. That decision led to the creation of the Aspirations Incubator, a six-year pilot that provided significant, stable funding and hands-on support to eight community organizations across Maine. The results have been transformative: higher school attendance, stronger academic performance, and an increase in postsecondary enrollment among participating youth. But even more powerful are the stories of connection and confidence that have emerged from these communities — young people who now see themselves as capable of achieving what once felt out of reach.

At RYI, we’re honored to carry forward this work by deepening the model, expanding partnerships, and sharing what we’ve learned about the power of sustained investment in rural youth. As we look toward the future, our focus remains the same: ensuring every young person has the relationships and resources they need to turn possibilities into pathways and dreams into reality.

We extend our gratitude to the Chronicle of Philanthropy for shining a light on what’s possible when funders commit to long-term, trust-based philanthropy. Their storytelling underscores a truth we see every day: that real change happens at the speed of relationship.