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Lasting Change Doesn't Happen Overnight

Community Foundation Trustee and Fundholder, Lilli Trinchero, an advocate for the elimination of bullying has made real change in Washoe County. Her philanthropy through the Celebrate Diversity fund has been a reflection of her commitment for 17 years. Lilli Trinchero and Catherine Cortez Masto worked together in the Attorney General's Task Force on Bullying.[/caption] Lilli walked into the Community Foundation office in 2002 committed to reduce school bullying. She established the Celebrate Diversity Fund and worked with Community Foundation staff to research methods that make a difference. In 2003 Lilli began by putting together anti-bullying resource binders with the help of volunteers for elementary classrooms; she then worked with the Nevada Attorney General's Taskforce on Bullying. In 2013 the Celebrate Diversity Fund hired a consulting firm to conduct a school climate audit that helped the School District win a $4 Million Federal Grant to help children who have been exposed to pervasive violence. Today, The Celebrate Diversity Anti-bullying curriculum has evolved and is regularly taught in Washoe County classrooms by the CAP (Child Assault Prevention) program.

Cultural shifts are like landslides. It takes some shaking and washing of rocks and obstacles before the earth transforms itself.  When you work with our donor services staff and create a strategic philanthropic plan for granting, measuring, gathering, and giving feedback to your favorite organizations, coupled with a commitment to help over several years you will motivate bigger results. You don't need to be afraid to take on a big problem. The Community Foundation was established to help you do just that. You won't go it alone. You will have experts helping you with research, facilitating meetings and collaborations and helping evaluate the work funded through your generosity. Talk with us about your big idea. Call us at 775-333-5499.

Photo above: Lilli Trinchero (left) visited elementary school classrooms to present an award for reducing school bullying.