What rural means to people is as diverse, textured and complex as the communities themselves. In some cases, rural is a way of being that resonates beyond regions and geographic boundaries. Here’s a small window of what it means to some of the folks we work with across the country.

Rural is

Resourceful, entrepreneurial, innovative and resilient.

Rural is

Where the mountains rise and the rivers flow.

Rural is

Collaboration and Connection.

Rural is

Home.

We Believe

Everyone deserves accessible and affordable clean water and sanitation.

Everyone deserves an opportunity to grow their community and their vision.

Tribal and indigenous communities should have sovereignty over their programs.

The future of rural is not written, it’s in our hands to imagine and write.

What We Do

In 2023, RCAP served more than 3.1 million rural and tribal residents and over 2,100 communities in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn More about our work this past year.

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Assistance

We have a team of Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs) across the country who live and work in the communities RCAP serves. TAPs help communities by providing practical guidance and capacity-building expertise – from financial advice, to environmental services like helping communities comply with federal and state regulations, and more.

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Training

We provide training on water, wastewater, solid waste disposal and economic development to equip communities with the knowledge, skills and expertise to manage their infrastructure, economic development projects and ensure financial sustainability.

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Capacity Building

We work with communities and partners across the country to advocate and generate economic opportunities for rural areas. Our efforts seek to ensure every community has the resources needed to thrive and sustain themselves now and into the future.

RCAP Regional Partners

partners communities

Communities Unlimited (CU) – The Southern RCAP

Serving Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas

partners great lakes

Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) – The Great Lakes RCAP

Serving Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

partners midwest

Midwest Assistance Program, Inc. – The Midwest RCAP

Serving Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

partners rcac

Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) – The Western RCAP

Serving Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

partners rcap caribbean

RCAP Solutions (RSOL) – The Northeastern and Caribbean RCAP

Serving all six New England States, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

partners rcap northeast

RCAP Solutions (RSOL) – The Northeastern and Caribbean RCAP

Serving all six New England States, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

partners sercap

Southeast Rural Community Assistance Partnership (SERCAP) – The Southeastern RCAP

Serving Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Get Started!

Latest News

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Read about the latest happenings at RCAP and in the rural communities we work with across the country.

Community Resources and Tools

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Explore technical, financial and managerial tools and resources we’ve gathered to support rural communities across the country.

Advocacy & Research

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Take a look at RCAP’s current advocacy priorities and the newest research to help elevate rural voices.

Publications

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Read RCAP’s publications to learn about the stories from our technical assistance providers and the communities they serve.

Get Assistance

If you would like to receive assistance for your communities, please visit our “get assistance” page and reach out to us or our regional partners directly.