Mount Blanchard Selected as The Community Foundation’s Second Community Heart & Soul™ Project
March 15, 2017
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation has selected the Village of Mount Blanchard to participate in its second Community Heart & Soul™ project.
After a competitive bidding process from applicant towns in Hancock County, Mount Blanchard was selected for a Community Foundation grant of up to $170,950 carry out a two-year community engagement and development project.
“We have seen nothing but progress in Mt Blanchard,” said Kathy Kreuchauf, President of The Community Foundation. “The excitement is palpable and we are ready to start this journey with the Village.”
Community Heart & Soul is an approach to community development and planning developed by the Orton Family Foundation that increases participation in local decision-making and invites residents to shape the future of their communities based on what matters most to them. The Community Foundation has partnered with Orton for the second time after positive feedback with the McComb Region Project.
“The community in McComb has become deeply engaged in planning its future and bringing forward what matters most to them for the future of the village and region,” said Kreuchauf. “The results were encouraging and we are excited to see what is to come for Mount Blanchard.”
Arcadia also participated in the application process, and will continue to work closely with The Community Foundation going forward.
About the Orton Family Foundation
The Orton Family Foundation seeks to empower people to shape the future of their communities by improving local decision-making, creating a shared sense of belonging and ultimately strengthening the social, cultural and economic vibrancy of communities. The Foundation does this by assisting the residents of small cities and towns in the use of the Community Heart & Soul™ method. This barn-raising approach to community planning and development increases participation in local decision-making and invites residents to shape the future of their communities in a way that upholds the unique character of each place. The Orton Family Foundation is based in Shelburne, Vermont and Denver, Colorado. For more information visit www.orton.org
