About Us

Our Vision

Rural Community Alliance members have a vision for just and thriving rural communities that offer access to an excellent education, economic opportunity, and rewarding quality of life to all residents.

Our Mission

The mission of Rural Community Alliance is to empower rural communities to effect change by creating opportunities in education, economic development, and youth empowerment to improve quality of life and place.

Our Theory of Change

RCA members believe change happens through informed and organized residents defining the change they want, building collective power, and taking action to improve their lives. We work to bring about change in communities with a process that starts with assessment and visioning, then strategic planning and implementation–all led and controlled by the grassroots. RCA staff supports community members with information, resources, and training.

<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer="">CHAPTERS

<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer=""> WHERE WE Are

Rural Community Alliance operates across all regions of the state, focusing on initiatives to revitalize communities, support public schools, foster regional collaboration, and advance RCA’s statewide policy work.

– Ashley
– Boone
– Calhoun
– Clark
– Columbia
– Crittenden
– Lafayette

– Lee
– Lonoke
– Marion
– Miller
– Monroe
– Newton
– Ouachita

– Perry
– Phillips
– Pike
– Saline
– Searcy
– St. Francis
– Van Buren

Arkansas Chapter Map

Annual Reports

We work through our 21 chapters in rural communities throughout Arkansas to share resources, information, and strategies, and we collectively advocate for policies that benefit low-income families, children, and communities. Our members decide on the issues and concerns they address at the local level as well as state-wide and national issues that we support. Each year, we produce an annual report that shows our progress on chosen issues.

Rural Community Alliance

History & Accomplishments

2022 Highlights

RCA held the first in-person Rural Pitch Competition during Global Entrepreneurship Week. The competition took place virtually in 2020 and 2021.

2021 Highlights

RCA launched two key programs: Afterschool Initiative and Cybersecurity training program.

2020 Highlights

The Representing Rural podcast was launched in August 2020. RCA held its first Rural Pitch Competition in November 2020.

Arkansas State Capitol building.

2019 Highlights

The inaugural RCA Youth Day at the Capitol was held in February. Over 250 youth from five rural school districts traveled to Little Rock for