Sarah Smith

Championing Rural Sustainability Through Strategic Funding, Readiness, and Partnerships

Role
Grant Manager at Center for Rural Affairs
Location
Lincoln, NE, US
LinkedIn followers
500 followers

About Sarah Smith

With several years of experience across nonprofit organizations, state and federal agencies, and higher education, I bring a cross-sector perspective to my work in funding strategy, program development, and partnership-building.Currently serving as Grant Manager at the Center for Rural Affairs, I support diverse teams in strengthening and sustaining their work through strategic funding, readiness, and collaboration. My work centers on recognizing existing strengths and building opportunities that lead to long-term impact.In previous roles, I’ve led outreach and funding initiatives with organizations such as the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, the Federation of American Scientists, the Nebraska Department of Education, Growing Hope, and Carbon County Higher Education Center. I’m proud to have helped secure funding to grow Nebraska’s Farm to School network, support regional food systems across the Heartland, and deepen my expertise in asset mapping—from local communities to state-level initiatives.At the core of my work is a belief in the power of partnerships, place-based knowledge, and strategic investment to create resilient, equitable systems.

Experience

  1. Grant Manager

    Center for Rural Affairs

    Jul 2025 — Present · NE, US

Education

  • Concordia University, Nebraska

    BS, Psychology

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Sarah Smith — Grant Manager at Center for Rural Affairs in Lincoln, NE, US | Unifers