FutureMakers Coalition chosen for national effort to rethink and revitalize economies in rural communities

FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory has been selected by CivicLab to participate in a three-year incubator to rethink and revitalize their communities by strengthening rural higher education and employment systems. FutureMakers Coalition joins other communities participating in this cohort from states across the country, including Arkansas, California, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina.

Supported by Ascendium Education Group and ECMC Foundation, FutureMakers Coalition will receive training, technical assistance and direct financial support for system-level strategies

that create stronger education-to-employment pathways aligned to future economies.

After a national call for proposals, FutureMakers Coalition was selected through a rigorous review process and demonstrated a readiness to focus on rural redevelopment in order to strengthen the communities they call home for the future.

“FutureMakers Coalition has a successful history of building relationships and working to create lasting change in the communities they serve,” said Amber Fischvogt, director at CivicLab. “We are excited to work with FutureMakers as they continue to focus on strengthening rural higher education and employment opportunities.”

The initiative launched in July 2024 with a team from FutureMakers Coalition

attending a three-day institute focused on stakeholder engagement and system building tools. A total of six institutes will be provided over the three-year period.