Citing statistics that showed funding for rural areas well below the national average, Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana called for grantmakers to stop neglecting underserved rural populations and to double funding within the next five years, PND News reported May 10.

Baucus spoke at the 57th Annual Council on Foundations in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The 10 most rural states – Alaska, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Vermont, and Wyoming – received $35 per person in foundation grants. The national average is $104. Baucus encouraged grantmakers to commit to his five-year plan by Labor Day.

In addition, the senator committed himself to working with the council to coordinate public and private efforts in these areas and limit federal red tape. The National Rural Funders Collaborative and 11 other foundations endorsed the senator's call-to-action.