CRCF Partners with Community Heart & Soul to Deepen Community Engagement
Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Community Heart & Soul® have announced a new partnership to strengthen communities across the Chautauqua Region by expanding access to a proven, resident-driven approach to community engagement.
Community Heart & Soul engages the entire population of a town in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. Designed for small cities and towns with populations up to 30,000, the process helps communities listen at scale, build trust, and translate residents’ stories into shared priorities that help guide decisions over time.
Combining Community Heart & Soul’s resident-driven approach with Chautauqua Region Community Foundation’s local relationships, expertise, and resources, the partnership aims to leave a lasting impact on communities across the Chautauqua Region by helping residents and local leaders come together around what matters most. Through this partnership, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation will utilize the Community Heart & Soul model to help communities engage more people, listen to a broad range of local voices, and turn what residents share into clear priorities that can guide future action.
“We are honored to partner with Community Heart & Soul to engage with our community in new and meaningful ways,” said Tory Irgang, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. “Moving beyond grantmaking into community partnership and capacity building is a goal for the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Community Heart & Soul is making that goal a reality.”
Mark Sherman, President of Community Heart & Soul, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, “We’re excited to partner with Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to support community engagement in southwestern New York. When residents take the time to listen deeply and act on what matters most, they build a strong foundation for the future.”
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 130 communities.
About Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
Chautauqua Region Community Foundation partners with its community to ignite positive change and create legacies of impact in the Chautauqua region. CRCF was established in 1978 by visionary community leaders who were committed to creating a vibrant region where every resident feels connected and has the opportunity to thrive.
