Legacy Foundation, the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana, is excited to launch its newest community-based initiative, Community Heart & Soul; a national model designed to help build stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant communities through a resident-driven planning process.
“Building upon our Neighborhood Spotlight initiative, Community Heart & Soul will bring residents and municipal leaders together to develop a plan for the future,” said Legacy Foundation President and CEO, Kelly Anoe. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Community Heart & Soul to implement this unique opportunity with Lake County communities and residents.”
Through this partnership, Legacy Foundation will encourage meaningful public participation to help residents identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
This fall, Legacy Foundation will select one community to receive training, technical assistance, and supporting funds to implement the Community Heart & Soul process over a two-to-five-year period. Any Lake County, Indiana town or city with a population of 40,000 or less will be eligible to apply.
Legacy Foundation will be hosting a Community Heart & Soul Information Workshop on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the Lake County Public Library, Merrillville Branch. This workshop is open to anyone in Lake County interested in learning about the Community Heart & Soul process for their community, including residents, municipal leaders, and nonprofit organizations.
“We are excited to kick off Community Heart & Soul in Lake County at this workshop event,” explained Maranda Engquist, Legacy Foundation Grants & Partnerships Director. “We encourage anyone who is interested in learning about Heart & Soul for their community to attend!”
To learn more about Community Heart & Soul in Lake County and to register for the upcoming Information Workshop, visit www.legacyfdn.org/heart-soul.
About Legacy Foundation
Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. Our mission is to transform Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve. Through the generosity of a wide base of donors, Legacy Foundation has awarded over $50 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit organizations and individuals since its founding in 1992. The foundation manages nearly $85 million in assets and is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing a diverse spectrum of business, education, and the nonprofit and public sectors. Learn more at www.legacyfdn.org.
About Community Heart & Soul
Community Heart & Soul, a nonprofit organization, builds stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant small cities and towns across the United States. In addition to promoting the Community Heart & Soul model, the organization trains and supports a nationwide network of certified coaches who provide training and guidance to over 120 communities. The organization is currently offering $10,000 Seed Grants to qualifying small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul process. www.communityheartandsoul.org