From rising inflation to volatile natural resource markets, rural areas in Atlantic Canada face challenges building the socio-economic resilience of their communities. Research surrounding innovative philanthropic approaches for resilient rural communities in the Atlantic has been established, but is limited, fragmented and underdeveloped, with recent research suggesting that further work is required to better understand the breadth of philanthropy and innovation in Atlantic Canada (Oldford et al., 2024).
Much of the existing research on philanthropy in Atlantic Canada builds on earlier research led by the applicant and team members (Barrett and Gibson, 2014; Gibson et al., 2014; Gibson and Barrett, 2018), which features exploratory research pertaining to philanthropic opportunities in the Atlantic region, specifically the role that community foundations play in rural resilience. Key points from this research have been made by other researchers, such as Foster et al. (2021) and Holland (2022) where they reiterate the vital role communities play in the social fabric and social economy in Canada, the complex dynamics involved in the role they play in enhancing sustainable well-being, as well as the potential they have for cultural and economic resilience (Slawinski, 2016).
This Connection Grant initiative focuses on convening intentional discussions to serve as a catalyst for knowledge creation, networking, and community-led development in building resilient rural communities and in particular the current and potential future role of philanthropy. Since the initial philanthropic research in Atlantic Canada there has been an emergence of new research knowledge and there is a strategic opportunity to share and weave this emerging research with community practice, policy, and programming. This initiative will share knowledge of innovative successful practices; create a network of community leaders, businesses, governments and researchers; identify new seminal questions related to the role of philanthropy in resilient rural communities; and providing training and mentorship to graduate students and community leaders. This initiative will provide funding to facilitate a carefully designed and executed two-day interactive workshop, host community-centred knowledge exchanges, support training and mentoring of students and emerging community leaders, and a series of knowledge mobilization activities: online repository, edited book, webinars and social media/newsletters messages. This initiative is supported by partners across Canada, representing nonprofit organizations, economic development actors, and academic partners.
As work continues to better understand the breadth of philanthropy and innovation in Atlantic Canada and the role it plays in building resilient rural communities, it is critical to facilitate dialogue among community development practitioners, policy makers, non-profit organizations and researchers to generate new insights, mobilize innovative practices, and expedite the sharing of lessons. To date, these fora do not exist. The outputs of this initiative will influence community-led development, rural policy, and academic knowledge.
Project Team
- Joshua Barrett, Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward Island
- Ryan Gibson, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph
- Kelly Vodden, Environmental Policy Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus
- Edmund Yirenkyi, Environmental Policy Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus
- Laurie Brinklow, Institute of Island Studies University of Prince Edward Island
- Nicole Dawe, Community Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Kent Hudson, Community Foundation of Prince Edward Island
- Erika Rolston, Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia
- Samantha Mark, Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation
Funding
This research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Resources
Philanthropy in Place: Community, Care, and Rural Resilience in Atlantic Canada (2026 | Joshua Barrett)