RARE - Resource Assistance for Rural Environments

The story of a RARE member experience, much like the rural communities they serve, are drastically different and yet you will find similar patterns woven throughout all of them. It’s a story old as time. A story of grit, determination, hardship, perseverance, community. The RARE experience, is one about the power of the individual, the collection and about the power of place.

This year looked different for RARE, undergoing a strategic planning process after the loss of its federal AmeriCorp funding last year, the program had no new members directly working across the state. But RARE’s impact doesn’t stop at new members, in fact that’s really only the tip of the iceberg. The power of RARE’s impact resides in the vast network of program alumni continuing the good work long after leaving the program. No matter what happens to RARE, its legacy and impact will continue to live on through the work of the rural champions pictured (and so many others who are not)!

We are thankful that in a time of so much uncertainty, Rural Development Initiatives () gave us the chance to convene at this year’s Regards to Rural and directly see that impact at play!

After months of research and analysis exploring program models, potential organizational “homes”, and the financial implications of each, Kelley Nonprofit Consulting has outlined several potential paths forward for the RARE program to sustain and strengthen rural capacity across Oregon.

The following scenarios represent three distinct pathways for RARE’s future:

1. RARE Classic – This model closely mirrors the original RARE structure—placing members full-time within a single community or organization and maintaining the traditional cohort experience.

2. Hub & Spokes – Instead of being placed full-time at one site, members are shared across multiple aligned organizations (“spokes”) and supported by a regional or statewide partner (“hub”).

3. University-Based Model (IPRE) – RARE is absorbed into the IPRE team at University of Oregon. RARE placements are driven largely by IPRE programming and projects, with IPRE staff sharing the load of mentoring and advising RARE members.

It should come as no surprise that each scenario presents unique strengths and challenges. To determine the best path forward, the RARE Reimagined Advisory Committee and Program Director, Titus Tomlinson, have been actively exploring these options in depth. At this juncture, we have determined the “RARE Classic” and “Hub & Spoke” models are the most viable options we have on the table.

The reality is that we had hoped to have our home and funding secured at this point. That said, the current financial landscape has proven more challenging than anticipated, and we are still seeking a path forward. Despite strong support from statewide partners, host organizations, and alumni, no organization engaged in this process has committed to housing RARE moving forward.

Over the next month, Titus will continue pursuing all viable options. If a sustainable path forward cannot be secured, the program may be shut down indefinitely.

To learn more about the process and a definitive of what comes next, join us for a Zoom session on April 22, 2026 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, RSVP link in bio.

If you’d like to read the full Strategic Plan, please visit the link in our bio.

To close out the year, we want to share an update on the RARE Reimagined Strategic Planning process and express gratitude for the support and engagement from our community!

Over the past three months we have been deeply engaged in reimagining the RARE Program in the face of losing AmeriCorps funding. The first phase of this process was “Discovery,” during which we conducted in-depth community engagement to hear from our extensive community of alumni, site supervisors, and statewide partners. This work included:

• 140 survey responses
• 21 in-depth interviews
• An in-person focus group with more than 40 attendees
• A virtual focus group with 25 attendees
• Strategic conversations with UO, OSU, RDI, and Regional Solutions
• Formation of the RARE Advisory Council

We are now moving into the Analysis phase. Over the next two months, the Kelley Nonprofit Consulting team will review all collected data, engage with stakeholders, and conduct scenario planning to identify the most sustainable and impactful path forward. In early 2026, we plan to host an informational session to share what we are learning and offer an early look at the emerging direction. Stay tuned for this!

As we wrap up this process in February 2026, we will host a formal presentation of our findings to the broader community and begin building the next iteration of RARE.

More than anything, we want to express our appreciation. The care you all hold for this program and for the communities we serve is evident and we walk away from these beginning conversations truly inspired by our community. Your willingness to reflect, critique, dream, and share remains the heart of this process!

From the Desk to Deer Island: Interviewing Partners on Grant Programs Across Oregon — Energy Info We continue On the Road in Oregon, a blog series that takes you on a journey through the heart of Oregon's diverse communities with our Community Navigator Program. This month, we hear from RARE Member Sara Lark Millies-Lucke as she meets with communities from Southern Oregon to northwest of Portlan