Communities Served

The Whitman Mayo Foundation has a rural and urban footprint because of the ever growing needs of both communities. The widening gulf between the haves and have not's is not limited to the Rust Belt’s cast-off manufacturing workers, working class suburbanites, or inner-city poor working on a stagnant minimum wage. The same trends have taken hold in farm country, though in different forms. The farms that once generated wealth for entire communities are now creating a new class of superfarmers, therefore the demand for the foundation's economic development and education initiatives. We are currently in 15 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—but coming soon to many more communities in need.

Changing demographic and economic needs

 America is becoming less rural. In the past, both rural and urban areas have grown—urban growth just far surpassed rural growth. Recently, however, non-metro areas in the U.S. have seen the first overall population decrease. The Whitman Foundation serve these changing community needs.

RURAL communities issues

The lack of population growth across rural and small town America presents some interesting and unique challenges. Although some small places have bustling economies and plenty of activity, these areas often get painted with a broad brush. It can be challenging to attract new private investment to these areas--which is at the heart of many issues.

Urban communities issues

Risk is inevitable wherever you go. Adverse lower income urban environments — characterized by economic disadvantage, crime, and segregation — are associated with chronic psychological and physiological stress... But people in these areas are worse off when it comes to their education and employment. The issue, research shows, is the need to greater access of capital and better educational initiatives.