1. programming on
a blank slate:
a case on grant
making in rural
poverty
Candace Thomas, Olivia Evans &
Stephanie Gandolfo

2. About Robert Armstrong
 Grant maker from India
 Ford Foundation’s New York headquarters
 Director of Rural Poverty & Resources
 Had to define the contours of the program

3. Question 1
By what processes does Armstrong define his goals for the Rural
Poverty and Resources Program?
 Goal: to bring awareness to rural poverty and issues
 Thought of the name of the division & priorities
 Spoke with people who were knowledgeable about the “frontier
topics”
 Conducted his own research
 Brought up statistics in conversation
 Shared notes and ideas
 Thought about what the project WAS and WAS NOT

4. Map of the national level of Poverty in 2007

5. Question 2
What are Armstrong’s goals for the Rural Poverty and Resources
Program?
 Bring awareness to rural poverty
 Make people knowledgeable about statistics of rural poverty compared
to urban poverty
 To not associate the program with agricultural issues

7. Question 3
Which of the four proposals that Armstrong is considering should he
fund, and why?
 The Southern Water Project
 Main focus: healthy water & boost the economy
 Good reputation
 Share similar goals with Armstrong and the Ford Foundation

8. Work Cited
 http://www.loansandcredit.com/poverty-in-
america/
 http://visualizingeconomics.com/2007/08/11/
united-states-poverty-map/