Mission and Principles

PRWA is a non-profit organization led by representatives from all levels of government, community and regional nonprofit organizations and the private sector. While we operate under the name Partners for Rural Washington, we are the official Rural Development Council for Washington State.

We create positive climates for the advancement of policy issues, collaboration, innovation, best practices, attraction of resources – financial and other – and build rural leadership capacity in Washington.

We work with other nonprofit organizations, community leaders, state agencies and organizations, private business and industry and locally elected public officials to improve the quality of rural life in our state. We are also a member of Partners for Rural America, the national association for rural development councils across the nation.

rural field
rural town

Our collaborative structure enables us to work with partners and policy makers to:

  • Help them develop and complete projects and initiatives that improve the vitality of rural communities
  • Help identify and navigate regulatory and other barriers
  • Help communities understand and address their needs and build confidence in the local and regional development process
  • Serve as an experienced and recognized convener and vehicle for collaboration
  • Tap into all available resources to implement best practices, obtain technical assistance, identify and secure funding sources and assist local leaders in community development

PRWA is guided by the following operating principles:

  • The importance of individual and community self-sufficiency
  • The interdependency of communities
  • The value of building local capacity
  • Respect for locally made decisions
  • Respect for Washington’s unique culture
  • Respect for the unique nature of each community
  • Respect for the balance between economic stability and environmental integrity
  • The importance of the ability to effectively participate in the global community and economy of the 21st Century
farmers