Building Community Connections at the Council of Michigan Foundations Annual Conference
The Council of Michigan Foundations recently held its 53rd Annual Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan, bringing together philanthropic leaders from across the state to “Meet the Moment Together.” The gathering focused on how foundations can navigate challenges and strengthen their impact in communities across Michigan.
Among the presenters were Annie Halle and Duska Brumm of the Barry Community Foundation (Michigan), who joined Jillian Foster, Program Associate at Community Heart & Soul, to share how partnerships between community foundations and Heart & Soul communities can deepen local engagement and foster stronger connections.
Their presentation featured a case study from Nashville, Michigan, a village of just over 1,600 residents located in Barry County. Nashville is one of the newest communities to embark on the Community Heart & Soul journey—a resident-driven community engagement process that helps small cities and towns discover what matters most to the people who live there and use those insights to guide decisions for the future.
Duska Brumm, who serves as Nashville’s volunteer Project Coordinator, reflected on the impact of the process so far. “New leaders are emerging, and our team members are gaining valuable skills in data collection and story gathering,” she shared. “As a lifelong resident, I’m meeting people I didn’t know before and gaining a broader appreciation for what our neighbors care about most.”
The Nashville team is currently developing its Heart & Soul Statements, which will capture the shared priorities and aspirations of the residents and guide future action planning in the community.
Annie Halle and Jillian Foster also highlighted the importance of partnership in Nashville’s success. Community Heart & Soul connects community foundations with a network of experienced Coaches, field-tested tools, and proven practices from other towns across the country that have strengthened their communities through this work. This collective knowledge helps strengthen both community foundations and the communities they serve.
As Annie noted, “The partnership goes beyond two organizations—it’s about connecting to a broader community of people who are committed to building trust and engagement at the local level.”
The collaboration between the Barry Community Foundation and Community Heart & Soul in Nashville demonstrates how philanthropy and resident-driven approaches can work hand in hand to create lasting, positive impact in small cities and towns.
We’re grateful to our speakers, attendees, and the Council of Michigan Foundations for an outstanding experience. To those who couldn’t attend the conference: let’s connect! Community Heart & Soul is ready to help you bring residents closer together to help build a brighter, more prosperous future.
Want to learn more?
Reach out to our team to explore how you can bring Community Heart & Soul to your community. Contact us today.
