Community Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation partner to strengthen rural philanthropy through fellowship

This story was originally published by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

“Having grown up in rural St. Clair County, I know our small towns have a heart you won’t find anywhere else,” said Holzberger. “I’m here to provide the face-to-face support they deserve. Whether that’s a shovel in the ground for a new park or the deep work of defining a community’s future. We’re building growth from the ground up, and I can’t wait to start.”

Holzberger is one of 15 professionals selected nationwide for the 2026–2027 Rural Philanthropy Fellows cohort, which includes 12 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Rural Philanthropy Fellows and three Herrick Foundation Philanthropy Fellows serving community foundations across Michigan and New York. Each two-year Fellowship offers emerging and established professionals a unique opportunity to make meaningful contributions to rural philanthropy while strengthening the capacity of the community foundations they serve.

Through grant support from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Herrick Foundation, Fellows are employed by local community foundations to advance rural-focused efforts that prioritize resident voice, local leadership, and long-term community vitality. In St. Clair County, the Fellowship directly supports the Community Foundation’s strategic focus on rural communities, which represent more than 80 percent of the county’s municipalities.

This investment reflects the Community Foundation’s belief that rural places are not defined by scarcity, but by opportunity—when local residents are equipped with the tools, partnerships, and trust needed to shape their own futures.

“We’ve always known that our rural communities have a unique spirit and a lot of untapped potential. Having Collin as our rural philanthropy fellow, born and raised in the very communities we seek to deepen relationships in, allows us to be more present in those areas,” said William Oldford, Community Foundation Board Chair.

Putting Rural Voices First

In his role, Holzberger will work across the county to support resident-led initiatives that align with the Community Foundation’s rural philanthropy approach—an approach rooted in listening, partnership, and place-based investment. A key component of this work includes supporting Community Heart & Soul, a nationally recognized framework that helps communities identify shared values and translate them into locally driven action.

Kim Cowhy and Barbara Stasik, Yale Heart & Soul Project Co-Managers, shared, “It’s exciting to see the Community Foundation put a real focus on towns like ours. Having a dedicated partner to help us manage projects like Heart & Soul and eventually our new community fund means we can grow while keeping the small-town character we all love.”

Holzberger will also support rural placemaking and quality-of-life initiatives, including public art, trail development, and outdoor recreation projects—efforts that strengthen community identity while making small towns more vibrant and connected.

Cindy Babisz, Ira Township Parks and Recreation Director, said, “For a community like Ira Township, large-scale recreation projects can feel out of reach without the right support. The Community Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation didn’t just provide the matching funds we needed for our DNR grant; they provided the partnership to make it happen. Seeing a dedicated Fellow like Collin focus on these rural projects gives us great confidence in the future of our community.”

Building the Next Generation of Rural Philanthropy Leaders

Beyond direct job experience, Holzberger and broader Rural Philanthropy Fellows cohort will receive ongoing support from philanthropic practice experts through the New York Funder Alliance (NYFA), including cohort-based learning opportunities, an individualized professional development budget, and tailored one-on-one networking support to explore long-term career pathways within philanthropy and related fields. Fellows also participate in local and national stakeholder meetings and conferences, further strengthening connections across the philanthropic sector.

A Regional Legacy of Giving

This Fellowship is made possible through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, a grantmaking organization dedicated to improving quality of life in Southeast Michigan and Western New York. As a spend-down foundation committed to granting its full $1.2 billion legacy by 2035, the Foundation has made significant investments in leadership and infrastructure to ensure lasting impact beyond its lifespan.

By investing in rural philanthropy today, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation are helping ensure that small towns and rural communities remain places where residents can thrive—now and for generations to come.