The Rural Assembly 2025 Annual Report is out now! Director Madeline Matson introduces the report below. Read her letter and explore our work in the full report.
Dear friends and allies,
Our work at Rural Assembly leans into the simple but strong belief that good work relies on building trust and relationships across communities, across organizations, and across social divides. A foundation of trust is essential to our mission to build a more inclusive nation — deep change-making follows.
Since 2007, Rural Assembly has served as a platform for rural people to gather, partner, and advocate. Our aim is to amplify rural voices and issues leading to greater connectedness, more civic participation, and increased investment in rural people and places. While our overall goals have not wavered, the course we are charting to accomplish them has shifted as we continue to understand and adapt in these constantly shifting times.
Our Annual Report outlines the key moments of 2025. Our biggest success was pulling off one of the largest Everywhere events of recent years, which included for the first time, an in-person component—an effort we are excited to build upon this year. Everywhere, a digital broadcast born out of the pandemic, is our annual celebration of rural people, places, and stories. We realize that even as online gatherings remain an important part of our work and lives, there is special magic in gathering together in person, sharing a meal, and having community-based conversations. We can’t wait to get together again this year.
I invite you to learn more about our programs and collaborations in this report. We look forward to connecting with you, and to finding ways to strengthen the core of our country — rural America — together.
Warmly,
Madeline Matson
Director, Rural Assembly
A special thank you to Mary Welcome for the report design.
