New Rural Project

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

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(4)
Website: www.newruralproject.org
Formation:

2021

Executive Director:

Cynthia Wallace

Location: Charlotte, NC View on map
Tax ID: 86-3220083

Contents

    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

    Grant Activity

    All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $2,469,500
    • Number of Grants: 18
    • Number of Funders: 9

    Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $750,0002023 Open Society Action Fundto support the grantee's social welfare activities
    $250,0002024 Open Society Action FundTO SUPPORT THE GRANTEE'S SOCIAL WELFARE ACTIVITIES
    $250,0002022 America VotesSOCIAL WELFARE
    $165,0002022 Neo Philanthropy Action Fund IncProgram Grant
    $150,0002023 Tides FoundationHEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES
    $125,0002024 Imagine North Carolina FirstFunding Non-Partisan Programming
    $102,5002024 Sixteen Thirty FundCIVIL RIGHTS, SOCIAL ACTION, ADVOCACY
    $100,0002024 Tides AdvocacyCIVIC PARTICIPATION
    $100,0002024 Make North Carolina FirstEducation of public on various social issues
    $78,0002022 Sixteen Thirty FundCIVIL RIGHTS, SOCIAL ACTION, ADVOCACY
    $75,0002024 Tides FoundationHEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES
    $75,0002023 Sixteen Thirty FundCIVIL RIGHTS, SOCIAL ACTION, ADVOCACY
    $59,0002023 Make North Carolina FirstEducation of public on various social issues
    $50,0002022 Tides FoundationHEALTHY INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES
    $50,0002022 All Hands on Deck Network IncUNRESTRICTED
    $50,0002021 Sixteen Thirty FundCIVIL RIGHTS, SOCIAL ACTION, ADVOCACY
    $20,0002023 All Hands on Deck Network IncUNRESTRICTED
    $20,0002022 Imagine North Carolina FirstFunding for C3 Operations

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    Financials, employee compensation, and grant information provided by Candid.

    Mentioned in this Article

    References

    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