The New Rural Project is a left-of-center advocacy group that promotes increasing voter turnout within rural counties in the state of North Carolina. The group was founded in 2021 by Cynthia Wallace and Helen Probst Mills, who both ran as Democrats during the 2020 election cycle but lost their respective races. In 2024, the group endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President and state Attorney General Josh Stein (D) for Governor of North Carolina, among other Democratic candidates. ^{1 2}

The group has received funding from the left-of-center group George Soros’ Open Society Foundations, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the Tides Foundation, and NEO Philanthropy Action Fund. ^{3 4}

Background

The New Rural Project was founded in 2021 by Cynthia Wallace and Helen Probst Mills, whom both ran as Democrats in the 2020 election cycle but lost their respective races. The group advocates for increasing voter turnout in several rural North Carolina counties including Moore, Hoke, Robeson, Scotland, Richmond, Anson, and Union. ^{5  6 7}

Activities

The New Rural Project has operated several local get-out-the-vote (GOTV) events to encourage voting and registration amongst those between 18-40 years of age. F.A.D.E. (Fruitful African-American Discussions on Empowerment) and C.U.R.L.S. (Cultivating Unified Relationships with Ladies for Success) were events located in barber shops and beauty salons to discuss topics of wellness, voting, entrepreneurship, and involvement with the local community. ⁸

The group collaborates with similar left-of-center organizations including the NAACP and the League of Women Voters. ⁸

Funding

In 2023, the New Rural Project received a $750,000 grant from George Soros’ Open Society Foundations’ Open Society Action Fund. ⁹

Other left-of-center funders include the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the Tides Foundation, NEO Philanthropy Action Fund, Make North Carolina First, Democracyfirst, Imagine North Carolina First, America Votes, and All Hands on Deck Network. ³

1. “About us.” New Rural Project. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.newruralproject.org/about-us
2. “NRP Endorsements.” New Rural Project. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.newruralproject.org/nrp-endorsements
3. “Full Text Search: New Rural Project.” Propublica Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/full_text_search?q=%22new+rural+project%22
4. “New Rural Project.” Open Society Foundations Grants Database. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=new+rural+project&grant_id=OR2023-90688
5.  “Home.” New Rural Project. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.newruralproject.org/
6. “Helen Probst Mills.” Ballotpedia. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://ballotpedia.org/Helen_Probst_Mills
7. “Cynthia Wallace.” Ballotpedia. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://ballotpedia.org/Cynthia_Wallace
8. “Programs.” New Rural Project. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://www.newruralproject.org/programs
9. “New Rural Project.” Propublica Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/863220083