Become a RARE Host Organization
Join us for a virtual information session:
Watch a video recording of an information session:
Host Organization Info Session Recording
What a RARE Can Do For You
You might be surprised what one of our amazing RARE AmeriCorps members can accomplish in an 11-month term of service! Whether it is developing a parks and recreation master plan; conducting critical community outreach and engagement; planning a large event or fundraiser; or, helping ignite the local economy – our members help create catalytic change in the communities we serve. We “get things done” for rural Oregon!
RARE members are placed to increase the capacity of rural communities to improve their economic, social, and environmental conditions. They assist communities in the development and implementation of projects for achieving a sustainable natural resource base and improving rural economic conditions. Most RARE AmeriCorps projects fall into three broad categories:
Visit our current member or past member pages for inspiration for what is possible:
The Benefit To Your Community
Capacity matters in rural Oregon and that’s where RARE comes to the table! The benefits of partnering with the RARE AmeriCorps Program include, but are not limited to:
- 11 months/1700 hours of service from a graduate-level RARE member
- Quarterly trainings for member and supervisor in Community Development, Grant Writing, Communication, Land Use, Economic Development, Facilitation, Leadership, Etc.
- Tools, resources, and expertise available to all members via the University of Oregon
- Member and community support from RARE staff
- Project support and topically focused expertise from the Institute for Policy Research and Engagement
- Member and community support from our statewide partners: Energy Trust of Oregon, The Ford Family Foundation, Oregon Food Bank, Oregon Main Street Program, and Travel Oregon
What We’re Looking For
We know the grit and spirit found in rural Oregon. We’re excited to work with rural host organizations who have identified capacity-building projects that address needs of underserved communities and can be completed or significantly improved in 11 months.
What counts as rural?
Just as no one description fits all of Oregon’s rural communities, no one definition of rural fits for all RARE projects. We welcome applications from rural and remote communities, like Lakeview, Enterprise, and Gold Beach, and we welcome applications from rural placements closer to urban centers, like Coburg, Independence, and Scappoose. We have placed members in every county in the state. The unifying factors in our placements are the need for added capacity and the focus on improving livelihoods for rural Oregonians.
When selecting RARE communities, we’re looking for impactful projects and strong service-learning opportunities. We know the key to a successful RARE placement is a strong support system in the community. RARE AmeriCorps Host Organizations will identify a specific person(s) within the organization to serve as supervisor and mentor to the member. RARE supervisors are expected to assist the member in developing a work plan and provide guidance throughout the term of service. Supervisors also benefit from RARE trainings and support from UO faculty and researchers.
Organizations eligible to host a RARE member include public agencies (including city, county, and regional governments); special districts (such as soil and water conservation districts, park and transportation districts); and not-for-profit organizations. Types of organizations include watershed councils, housing authorities, and economic development districts.
Host Organization Application Evaluation Criteria
We consider each of the following as part of the application evaluation process:
- Project Quality
- Supervisor Readiness
- Community Support & Capacity
- Commitment to Social Justice
- Rural
- Ability to match
For greater detail on these categories, please refer to our Host Organization Opportunity Description.
Fiscal Contribution
RARE is funded in part by AmeriCorps and in part by match-funding from our host organizations.
2025-26 Community Match: $26,500
The Ford Family Foundation provides financial support to offset the cost of partnering with the RARE AmeriCorps Program. Learn more.
Term of service:
September 2025 – July 2026
Each year we release information about applying in January with applications due in early April. The host organization deadline to apply for the 2025-26 service year is 5pm PT on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
For additional questions, contact our Program Director:
Titus Tomlinson
541-513-9989
titust@uoregon.edu
