Rural Development Initiatives (RDI) is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Oregon dedicated to helping rural communities and people achieve the visions and goals they set for themselves. RDI builds leadership networks and rural communities by working in the areas of Community Building, Leadership Development, Economic Vitality, Networking, and Organizational Development including programming for Latino, Tribal, and Youth audiences.

Rural Development Initiatives, Inc. (RDI) has been a major player in rural community development since 1992. The organization started from interests in the OECDD and was initially focused primarily on building the capacity of communities to engage in economic development. In 1996 it had evolved into a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with no state support. Through the late 1990s, RDI presented leadership classes under the title of Rural Futures Forum and organized the regional Regards to Rural resource conference.

In 2003 RDI took on the contract of delivering the many classes offered in rural communities by the Ford Institute for Community Building. Through this contract, RDI has become a state leader in community leadership training, including in Latino and Native American communities. The Ford training replaced the Rural Futures Forum, however Regards to Rural continues. RDI has a primary office in Eugene and staff located around the state.

In addition to working with the Ford Institute, RDI is engaged in a variety of other contract and grant activities. Rural communities may wish to look to RDI for economic development, nonprofit development, leadership training, collaboration facilitation, and vision development.