In a country riven by political divides and a world rife with conflicts, it’s easy to feel helpless and disconnected.
Yet there’s a lesser-told story quietly playing out across America that offers another vision infused with hope, unity, and progress: local people working together to make a positive difference in their home communities.
As leaders of two community foundations separated by nearly 1,200 miles, we see this dynamic in action every day. And we are far from alone. Community foundations serve more than 900 U.S. communities, from small rural towns to major metropolitan areas. While each of these institutions is unique, we all share an unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of our neighbors and fellow citizens.
Each year, Nov. 12 to 18 marks Community Foundation Week, which is dedicated to raising awareness of the vital role of community foundations to inspire civic progress through supporting local nonprofits, encouraging productive dialogue, and making tangible investments in parks, libraries, and other community assets.
While this week brings welcome recognition to community foundations, we see it as representing something more — a chance to spotlight the power and potential of community.
Even when neighbors and fellow citizens don’t agree on big national issues, we all share a common concern for the places we call home. And when we invest our time and resources in working together to improve those places, we can light a new path forward for our divided nation.
That’s happening right now in Colorado Springs, where Pikes Peak Community Foundation is leading a regional visioning initiative called Our Spacious Skies, which has captured insights from more than 4,000 residents in two counties to discern what issues matter to them most.
The foundation is now working to align government, philanthropy, business, and the nonprofit sector around the priorities lifted up by their residents. As this effort moves forward, it has the potential to protect, promote, and preserve what residents love about the region and guide, motivate, and inspire the public and community leaders to work together, creating the desired future.
Greater Cincinnati Foundation has embarked on similar efforts that have led to investment and innovation in early childhood literacy, affordable housing, and cultural vibrancy. The partnerships developed through such initiatives allow for swift pivots to direct resources to emerging issues, such as partnering with local organizations to address immediate needs related to the recent disruption of SNAP benefits, while also developing a sustainable strategy to tackle food insecurity.
Community foundations also play a central role in helping communities rally when disaster strikes by swiftly establishing relief funds that donors can feel confident about supporting. And by tapping into existing relationships with local nonprofits, leaders, and citizens, community foundations can quickly distribute those funds to agencies prepared to address the most pressing needs – both in the direct aftermath of a storm, or another catastrophe, and in the necessary recovery efforts long after the national media has left town.
It's no accident that productive, community-led efforts are happening under the banner of community foundations — nonpartisan organizations that are uniquely positioned to foster a big, welcoming tent. We focus on understanding and listening to our local communities and then bringing people together around a shared vision for how to move forward around shared goals.
At a time when improving community conditions is unlikely to come through top-down approaches, solutions will rise from the grassroots, one community at a time.
They will come from people who see the common sense of working with their neighbors to improve lives in their neighborhoods, towns, and cities.
They will come from people who bring together their personal resources and shared spirit to tackle local challenges and who contribute their time to help others.
They will come from local elected officials who listen to their constituents and are willing to partner with community-based institutions to create better lives.
Join us. You can get involved in your community and start making a difference now – in the lives of others and your own.
Whether it be through volunteering, donating to a local cause, or taking steps to create a lasting legacy, your local community foundation is ready to help make it happen.
Margaret Dolan is Chief Executive Officer for Pikes Peak Community Foundation.
Matthew Randazzo is President and CEO of Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
