In 2012 the Community Foundation had a big idea to add resident engagement as a key area of our work. Focusing on resident engagement prompted us to start initiatives to address persistent problems in our community. Through our initiative work, we continually discover just how important it is to hear from members of our community.
In 2013, our board members submitted their big ideas for our first initiative. We chose the Youth Network Initiative to address the needs of youth who are homeless, runaways, or aging out of foster care. In 2016 we accepted even more big ideas and from them, selected the Caregiver Support Initiative to identify and develop information, education, and other resources for unpaid family caregivers to seniors.
The idea for the Caregiver Support Initiative was brought to us by Grady Tarbutton, former director of Washoe County Senior Services. Prior to Grady’s proposed idea, the issue of caring for an aging family member was not on the Community Foundation’s radar. However, once we read Grady’s proposal, we realized that senior caregiving was both a crucial issue, and an issue in which the Community Foundation could make a positive impact. Similarly, before the Youth Network Initiative began, youth homelessness was largely unrecognized in our region and among Community Foundation staff.
The focus of these first two initiatives, which have made a real difference in our area, did not come from Community Foundation staff. We are your Community Foundation. We bring people together as neutral convener.
What causes matter to you?
Whether you are passionate about the arts, animal welfare, the environment, or any other issue,
we want to hear your big idea for the Community Foundation’s third community-wide initiative.
What issue do you think should be the focus of the Community Foundation’s next initiative?
Click here to fill out a simple online idea suggestion form and
Send us your big idea by April 30th.