Investing in afterschool programs helps children of rural communities break out of the cycle of poverty and creates opportunities for at-risk youth. In areas where prospects and resources are limited, afterschool programs are often the only source of supplemental enrichment in literacy, nutrition education, technology, and preparation for college entrance exams. Afterschool programs offer an effective and affordable way of overcoming obstacles confronting rural communities and helping children realize their full potential. Twenty-one percent of the nation's children attend public schools in rural areas. Children attending rural schools have the lowest median per-student funding for afterschool programs under the 21st Century Community Learning Centers federal grants program, as compared to their urban and suburban counterparts. Additionally, rural schools have fewer financial resources--largely as a result of diminished local property tax bases and inequitable distributions of state funds. This disparity underscores the fact that children living in persistently poor rural America need greater attention. This issue brief highlights several afterschool programs that have successfully addressed rural community needs. (Contains 22 endnotes.)