Rural Studies PhD alumnus Josh Barrett has co-authored a new article, “Place-Based Social Innovation: An Exploratory Study of Community Foundations in Rural Atlantic Canada,” with Edmund Yirenkyi. Published in the Journal of Rural and Community Development, the study examines how community foundations can help rural communities respond to challenges such as rising inflation and volatile natural resource markets.

Community foundations play a distinctive local role by managing endowed funds, awarding grants and bringing community partners together around shared priorities. Barrett and Yirenkyi explore the innovative tools and strategic-planning approaches these organizations use, paying particular attention to how local conditions shape social finance and philanthropy across Atlantic Canada.

By advancing understanding of place-based philanthropy and social innovation, the article offers timely insights into how community foundations can support stronger, more resilient rural communities. Read the open-access article.