LOR Foundation
Discover what drives community engagement and leadership in rural America. Gallup and the LOR Foundation identify the key factors that encourage — or hold back — local action in rural communities nationwide.
Unlocking Local Leadership: Why Rural People Step Forward to Help Their Communities
Gallup’s research with the LOR Foundation finds that people in rural America are highly engaged in supporting their neighbors — 68% say they frequently help others in their communities. However, despite 46% expressing a desire to be more involved, fewer than one in 10 have taken on more formal leadership roles when it comes to projects that help their communities.
What is the greatest motivator for rural leadership?
Sixty-five percent of rural residents say knowing others who want to work with them would make them more likely to lead local action. This study highlights both what motivates — and what prevents — rural people from stepping forward, suggesting that deeper connections could unlock even more local leadership.
What are the barriers to stepping into rural leadership roles?
While many rural Americans want to be more involved in their communities, they face significant obstacles to leadership. Some of the most common barriers are lack of financial support (68%), not having enough people to help with the work (60%), and uncertainty about how to get started (52%). Many also cite limited time, skills, or encouragement as reasons for not leading projects that improve their communities.
Insights
