Support Our Heart & Soul Communities
Building stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant towns in the US.
From Downeast, Maine, to the Heartland, to the Pacific Northwest, towns and residents are making change in their community. Click on the map to see where it’s happening and hear their stories.
Click here to see a complete list of Community Heart & Soul towns by state.
Akron-Westfield Heart & Soul served residents within the Akron-Westfield Community School District in northwest Iowa including the communities of Akron (population 1,588), Westfield (population 130) and surrounding rural areas. Set within the scenic Loess Hills region and adjacent to the Big Sioux River, the area offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Downtown Akron is home to locally owned shops and dining options, as well as the historic Akron Opera House.
The towns of Akron and Westfield, Iowa joined forces to improve their communities. They received $10,000 to kickstart Community Heart & Soul through our Seed Grant Program. Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul is discovering what matters most to the residents and playing the long game.
Akron-Westfield Heart & Soul served residents within the Akron-Westfield Community School District in northwest Iowa including the communities of Akron (population 1,588), Westfield (population 130) and surrounding rural areas. Set within the scenic Loess Hills region and adjacent to the Big Sioux River, the area offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Downtown Akron is home to locally owned shops and dining options, as well as the historic Akron Opera House.
The towns of Akron and Westfield, Iowa joined forces to improve their communities. They received $10,000 to kickstart Community Heart & Soul through our Seed Grant Program. Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul is discovering what matters most to the residents and playing the long game.
Akron joined other towns to form:
Akron-Westfield Heart & Soul
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Aledo joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better Together
In February 2020, we partnered with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council to bring Community Heart & Soul® to the town of Ambridge. The Ambridge community will build their own local Community Heart & Soul® leadership team with regional coordination and support from the Beaver County Planning Commission.
Ambridge borough (pop. 7,050) was established in 1824 by the Harmony Society and officially incorporated in 1905. Its 1.7 square miles are loaded with history, including the Old Economy Village which was acquired by the state of Pennsylvania as its first historical site in 1916. In addition to annual events and celebrations, the community boasts a library, a theater, churches, and many established family businesses. Ambridge is wonderfully diverse and starting to undergo a welcome revitalization that includes investment in key public infrastructure like parks and downtown improvements.
Through our partnership with the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, Arlington, Ohio was named the third Hancock County Heart & Soul community in 2022. The village was awarded up to $140,000 to implement the Community Heart & Soul proven process. They're currently in phase two, gathering stories from residents. Arlington Heart & Soul is working to bring their community together and identifying what matters most!
Please join us in welcoming Batavia, New York to Community Heart & Soul!
Located between Rochester and Buffalo, Batavia is unique in that both the City of Batavia and the Town of Batavia are participating in Community Heart & Soul. Together, these neighboring communities are creating opportunities for residents to have honest, meaningful conversations about what matters most, strengthen collaboration, and encourage broader participation in shaping their shared future.
Supported by Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF), Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo (CFGB), and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, Batavia is joining a growing network of New York communities using Community Heart & Soul to build a stronger, more connected future driven by resident voices.
Residents in Bellevue, Iowa, launched Community Heart & Soul® to focus on getting everyone involved in setting priorities for strengthening their town. In considering the town’s assets, natural beauty, heritage, neighborhood pride, and support for youth all ranked high. Attracting and retaining more Millennials (born 1981-1996) was identified as an opportunity for growth. That prompted taking a closer look at childcare needs, finding creative solutions to increase housing, and restoration of commercial space on the river. “We want the message to be, ‘You can thrive here, not just survive here,’” said Claira Sieverding, a Millennial who works and lives in Bellevue and was a leader in Community Heart & Soul.
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Bethel joined other towns to form:
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Bevington joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & Soul
Long struggling textile mill town, Biddeford (pop. 21,000), had come to be defined by an industrial trash incinerator in the center of town. But the facility represented 80 jobs and was a major taxpayer.
Through Community Heart & Soul, residents set change in motion by showing city leaders that there was strong support for tearing the incinerator down. The city purchased the plant, tore it down, and that sparked revitalization.
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, we're thrilled that Boulder, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network in Montana, is off and running! In partnership with the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) and Reimagining Rural, a partnership between MCF and Montana State University—Extension, residents in Boulder are looking to shape its future in a way that preserves its character while addressing new opportunities and challenges.
Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey!
Bridgton, Maine is embarking on Community Heart & Soul as the town updates its comprehensive plan. A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, this western Maine community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure the plan includes input from all residents. Residents in Bridgton, Maine have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read more about the great things happening in Bridgton here!
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, we're thrilled that Broadus, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network in Montana, is off and running! In partnership with the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) and Reimagining Rural, a partnership between MCF and Montana State University—Extension, residents in Broadus are looking to shape its future in a way that involves everyone and focuses on what matters most.
Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey!
Through a partnership with Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Brockway Township, Michigan has launched Yale Area Community Heart & Soul. Residents of Brockway Township, Michigan are working to re-engage the community, building on previous efforts to ensure every voice is heard through involving everyone with Community Heart & Soul. The exciting goal of Heart & Soul is to activate residents to take part in shaping their community's future.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of Michigan coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
We're excited to announce that Terrell County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, has support from Sumter EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Bucksport sits on the Penobscot River in the region of Maine known as Mid-coast. For 84 years the town's main employer was a papermill that manufactured paper made from wood harvested in the Maine forest. Paper from the mill was used for magazines such as Time and Good Housekeeping and catalogs for L.L. Bean and others. When the mill closed in 2014, this town was determined not to be defeated. Community Heart & Soul® inspired new ways for people and organizations to collaborate, volunteer, and get things done to build a better Bucksport.
The town of Canaan is a picturesque community located on the Connecticut River in Northeastern Vermont. It is bordered by New Hampshire and Quebec, Canada, and many consider it to be the “real” Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Canaan is also the only town in Vermont to share a land border with New Hampshire, the town's far northeastern corner touches the southwestern corner of the town of Pittsburg, NH. The Connecticut River defines the state line from Canaan southward. The residents wished to create a relationship with the towns of Pittsburg and Colebrook New Hampshire to look at economic development on a regional scale.
Tucked away in Northeastern Pennsylvania, you will find the City of Carbondale, a city of historic charms and hidden treasures. Centrally located with a bustling Main Street, Carbondale has a strong sense of community and a pride in its history, local businesses, parks, churches, and recreational activities. Carbondale’s Community Heart & Soul project is collaborating with NeighborWorks of Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA).
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Great Carlisle Project (GCP) began in 2016. Following the Community Heart & Soul framework, members of the GCP, with the leadership of the Project Director, work with their community to tell, listen and share stories about the cultural heritage of the community. Through the storytelling process residents will come to know the "heart and soul" of their community - what they value, what matters most, how they relate to each other and to their landscape, and what they want for our future.
Carlisle joined other towns to form:
Greater Carlisle Project, PennsylvaniaPlease join us in welcoming Carlton, New York to Community Heart & Soul!
Supported by Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF), Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo (CFGB), and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, residents of Carlton are engaging in Community Heart & Soul to learn more about what matters most to their community. The process will help inform local priorities, support the town’s Comprehensive Plan efforts, and strengthen the vision for Carlton’s future — including opportunities for local businesses and community growth.
We’re excited to see communities across New York coming together to celebrate what they love most about their towns and work toward a shared vision for the future.
In 2018, Cascade Heart & Soul was formed to make a difference and affect positive change in the community using Community Heart & Soul. The community planning process will reach everyone in the community to identify the common values and goals of people who live here. Representatives of the Heart & Soul committee want to hear from resident's their unique stories of life there and the successes and struggles they've experienced.
Through a partnership with the Legacy Foundation, Cedar Lake is the first Heart & Soul community in Indiana. Cedar Lake (pop 16,068) has experienced significant growth in recent years. The Cedar Lake Heart & Soul team believes Community Heart & Soul will be a valuable grounding experience for newcomers and help residents identify what they love about their community, what future they want for it and how to achieve it.
We're thrilled that Cedar Lake, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Chelsea, Maine is a small town on the eastern bank of the Kennebec River. It was incorporated in 1851, separating from a portion of Hallowell. When the town asked for community input to shape revised ordinances and future planning, only a few residents participated. Town leaders recognized the need to try something different to foster genuine community engagement and began Community Heart & Soul in 2019. Chelsea Community Heart & Soul is a program that is driven by the residents of Chelsea, Maine and they are busy in their ongoing practice of keeping their Heart & Soul statements at the forefront of their decision making in the community.
Through a partnership with Innovia Foundation, Cheney, Washington has launched Cheney Heart & Soul. Through Community Heart & Soul, residents hope to better connect Cheney’s largely disparate demographic groups through community engagement. In addition, Cheney Heart & Soul hopes to make Cheney citizens and visitors alike more likely to look to Cheney for recreation and entertainment opportunities rather than make the drive to surrounding areas. Residents hope this provides focus to efforts to unify and revitalize their community.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of WA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read our press release here!
Please join us in welcoming Corfu, New York to Community Heart & Soul!
With support from Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF), Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo (CFGB), and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, residents of Corfu are coming together to identify the values, vision, and priorities that matter most to their community. Through Community Heart & Soul, the village hopes to reflect on its strengths, explore opportunities for the future, and build a strong foundation for a more connected and enriched community.
We’re excited to see communities across New York working together to shape the future they want and create lasting, resident-driven impact.
Engaging missing voices in local government was one goal of the Cortez Community Heart & Soul® project. The team used Community Network Analysis to take a deep look into who lives in the community, and they invested time building trust. The result was Community Heart & Soul changed the way that Cortez does business. Groups that had not been involved in local government including the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, the Hispanic community, and youth were all much better represented after Community Heart & Soul. And more engagement from residents helped planners make decisions and better advocate for positive change based on what mattered most to residents.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Cranberry Township, the City of Franklin, and Oil City have joined together to form Venango Area Heart & Soul.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
The North Fork Heart & Soul believed there is a better and more inclusive way to move forward together in the Valley and to make decisions that take into account the diversity of experience, knowledge, and understanding people have about where they live - about what makes this place home. Heart and Soul provides a path towards building thriving places where we as citizens steer the future of the North Fork Valley. We are a group of local residents, officials, and volunteers from the North Fork Valley who want to learn about what all our neighbors think matters most about where we live and where we are headed; about the common goals we share in our communities and for our local economy; and about how to protect and celebrate the heritage of the North Fork Valley.
Crawford joined other towns to form:
North Fork Heart & Soul, Colorado
Damariscotta is a picturesque coastal village with a rich history that can be dated back 2,500 years thanks to ancient oyster shell middens, or remnant piles, left along the banks of the Damariscotta River by the Wawenock Abenaki. Historically, Damariscotta’s economy was rooted in shipbuilding. Today, the town is a regional shopping and service center. In the summer months, the population grows with second homeowners and tourists. Managing growth and balancing the burgeoning tourist economy with the needs of the local community were front of mind when Heart & Soul launched in late 2008.
We're excited to announce that Terrell County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, has support from Sumter EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Dillsburg Heart & Soul seeks to help people to shape the future of our community by actively seeking the collective wisdom of all residents, improving local decision-making, creating a shared sense of belonging, and ultimately strengthening the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of our home. Dillsburg Heart & Soul began when a few locals from The Dillsburg Arts Council got the attention of The South Mountain Partnership and the teams at The Greater Carlisle and Mt. Holly Springs Heart & Soul project. This newly founded group then reached out to Community Heart & Soul and recommended that Dillsburg would be a wonderful place to go on the Heart & Soul journey. The Dillsburg team began their process of exploring the idea of becoming a Heart & Soul town in early 2019. After a few meetings with other Heart & Soul leaders, they began the application process, and were notified at the end of 2019 that they were awarded a grant to begin the first phases.
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Downe Township will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
With approximately 4,500 residents, Cameron County is the least populated county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It boasts an abundance of natural beauty, including expansive forests and outdoor recreation opportunities. Once home to thriving industries, Cameron County has faced economic challenges as major employers left over the years. Through Community Heart & Soul, the community has restored pride, celebrated its heritage, and shaped a vision for the future. Driftwood joined other Pennsylvania towns in receiving support and guidance from our partner, the PA Humanities.
Driftwood joined other towns to form:
The Cameron County Project
Located just outside of Austin, Dripping Springs is a fast-growing community working to stay connected through change. As its population continues to rise, local leaders are partnering with Community Heart & Soul to better understand what matters most to residents across the community.
With a focus on bridging an emerging east/west divide and strengthening unity—especially as the town prepares for a second high school—Dripping Springs is committed to building a more cohesive future shaped by the voices of its people.
Check back soon for updates as their Heart & Soul journey unfolds!
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, this Oklahoma community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents. Residents in Duncan, Oklahoma have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Earlham joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulMadison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
East Peru joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Eliza joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better Together
We’re thrilled that Elk City Area Heart & Soul, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network in Montana, is off and running!
Through a partnership with the Innovia Foundation, residents in Elk City, Idaho are working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Community members are coming together to imagine their future, connect with each other, and create a plan for Elk City. New leaders can emerge, volunteers can decide how and when to participate, town residents can learn to trust each other as they redesign a thriving Main Street while honoring the town’s history and culture.
In the summer of 2016, the City initiated the Community Heart & Soul process to understand what matters most to our community with the goal of identifying Heart & Soul statements that will guide our 20-year plan and help maintain Ellensburg’s quality of life.
Through a partnership with Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Emmett Township, Michigan has launched Yale Area Community Heart & Soul. Residents of Emmett Township, Michigan are working to re-engage the community, building on previous efforts to ensure every voice is heard through involving everyone with Community Heart & Soul. The exciting goal of Heart & Soul is to activate residents to take part in shaping their community's future.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of Michigan coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
With approximately 4,500 residents, Cameron County is the least populated county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It boasts an abundance of natural beauty, including expansive forests and outdoor recreation opportunities. Once home to thriving industries, Cameron County has faced economic challenges as major employers left over the years. Through Community Heart & Soul, the community has restored pride, celebrated its heritage, and shaped a vision for the future. The county seat, Emporium, serves as a central hub, but efforts have been made to ensure all towns and villages within the county feel included in revitalization efforts.
Emporium joined other towns to form:
The Cameron County Project
The Town of Essex and Village of Essex Junction are overlapping municipalities grappling with how their futures fit together. For more than 50 years, residents of the two municipalities have debated the merits of merging or separating. Governing boards, committees, and municipal services coordinate to varying degrees, though many of these entities still function separately, including planning. Heart & Soul of Essex looked to find common ground. The question was not whether to merge or separate, but how to work together to lay the groundwork for an enduring future.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, the City of Etna became one of the newest Heart & Soul communities in Pennsylvania. Etna Borough (pop of 3,426) is a demographically diverse community along the Allegheny River just outside of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Located in South Carolina, we partnered with the Arras Foundation to bring Community Heart & Soul directly to the town of Fort Lawn. Heart & Soul Team members and resident’s worked to revitalize the community - everything from education to economic development to the character that draws people. The project initiatives were supported by Community Heart & Soul-led coaches, training and technical assistance to guide community engagement activities throughout the community development projects.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, the City of Franklin, Oil City, and Cranberry Township have joined together to form Venango Area Heart & Soul.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
During fall 2015, Community Heart & Soul, a small town revitalization effort started in Vermont, made its way to Galesburg, IL. Ever since then, Galesburg On Track has discovered what Galesburg residents love most about their community and how everyone can make it a place residents are proud to call home. Since the beginning of the Galesburg On Track initiative, this team has gone out into the community, listened to the needs of residents, and made plans for the future.
Gardiner was hard hit by the steady decline of manufacturing in Maine, losing employers, jobs, and population. In 2002, hoping to reverse the city’s fortunes, Gardiner built a business park near the highway. It never filled and amassed more than $1 million in debt. The seven mills that lined the Cobbossee Stream in Gardiner, Maine, were monuments to the city’s industrial legacy. Here the shoe, textile, fabrication, and paper industries thrived until the latter half of the 20th century. Now, the mill buildings are gone or reduced to rubble. One thousand jobs went with them. The decline continued into the 21st century. One of Gardiner’s remaining major employers went out of business, a loss of 141 jobs. A candle company left town siphoning away another 70 jobs. Population continued to slide, dropping 14 percent while the county population grew 5 percent. Hoping to reverse Gardiner’s fortunes, the city built a business park. It never filled. A $5.7 million expansion failed to solve the problem. Half of the lots weren’t sold and debt mounted to more than $1 million.
Growing Garnett Community Heart & Soul started in the summer of 2020. The project is driven by the residents of Garnett, Kansas and includes people of all ages who live, work, play, and learn within the city limits of Garnett.
Check out this great article here about Growing Garnett Community Heart & Soul in The Anderson County Review!
Golden’s population grew more than 30 percent between 1990 and 2000, presenting challenges of walkability, community engagement and affordable housing. In the 1990s, residents became concerned about the pace and consequences of growth and worked to impose strict regulations on development and expansion. Voters adopted ordinances limiting construction of new residences to one percent per year and curtailed the physical expansion of the city limits. With further growth projected, Golden wanted to proactively involve the entire community in discussing potential challenges.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Grand Isle and Van Buren, Maine have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. We're thrilled that Van Buren Heart & Soul one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Something GRAND is happening in Grand Lake: The Grand Lake Heart & Soul Project. We believe that the strength of a community lies in the hands and the hearts of the people who live there, and that the community’s heart and soul is the common cause that residents will rally around. By listening to and working closely with people who live in the community, these citizens begin to get involved and see themselves and their personal stories as part of a larger community story. This investment by our residents, and the understanding that our residents are the creators and guardians of the community story, helps to define the heart and soul of Grand Lake, constructing a profoundly stronger, thriving, unified community.
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, this South Carolina community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents. Through partnership with the Arras Foundation, residents in Great Falls have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read more about the great things happening in Great Falls here!
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Great Carlisle Project (GCP) began in 2016. Following the Community Heart & Soul framework, members of the GCP, with the leadership of the Project Director, work with their community to tell, listen and share stories about the cultural heritage of the community. Through the storytelling process residents will come to know the "heart and soul" of their community - what they value, what matters most, how they relate to each other and to their landscape, and what they want for our future.
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Greenwood joined other towns to form:
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul
Hammonton, New Jersey is located in Atlantic County in close proximity to Philadelphia and Atlantic City. It sits within the vast Pinelands National Reserve, a unique region known for its picturesque landscape and outdoor recreation opportunities. Known as the "Blueberry Capital of the World," Hammonton is home to thriving blueberry farms, a key part of its economy and identity. The town also boasts a thriving historic downtown with a flourishing arts scene alongside restaurants and local businesses that highlight the community’s Italian heritage and growing Hispanic population.
Through a partnership with Innovia Foundation, Harrington, Washington has launched Harrington Heart & Soul.
Harrington has a long tradition of civic pride, and it boasts several influential and dedicated community groups, each with the skills and initiative to get things done. Residents look forward to becoming a more organized and cohesive community. Through Community Heart & Soul, residents are excited to increase civic engagement and encourage new leadership while developing better relationships between residents, businesses and city government.
We're so excited to see the residents of Harrington, Washington coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read our press release here!
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, we're thrilled that Havre, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network in Montana, is off and running! In partnership with the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) and Reimagining Rural, a partnership between MCF and Montana State University—Extension, residents in Havre are looking to shape its future in a way that involves everyone and focuses on what matters most.
Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey!
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Honesdale became one of the newest Heart & Soul communities in Pennsylvania. Honesdale (pop of 4,458) is part of the Route 6 Alliance and situated in the NE corner of PA.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
The North Fork Heart & Soul believed there is a better and more inclusive way to move forward together in the Valley and to make decisions that take into account the diversity of experience, knowledge, and understanding people have about where they live - about what makes this place home. Heart and Soul provides a path towards building thriving places where we as citizens steer the future of the North Fork Valley. We are a group of local residents, officials, and volunteers from the North Fork Valley who want to learn about what all our neighbors think matters most about where we live and where we are headed; about the common goals we share in our communities and for our local economy; and about how to protect and celebrate the heritage of the North Fork Valley.
Hotchkiss joined other towns to form:
North Fork Heart & Soul, Colorado
In 2013, McComb lost its anchor retail store, leaving 16 buildings vacant downtown. At the same time, expansion of an intermodal rail terminal nearby puts McComb at a potential pivot point. With a grant from the local community foundation, townspeople decided to draft a new future and create McComb Region Heart & Soul.
Hoytville joined other towns to form:
McComb Region Heart & Soul, OhioThrough our partnership with PA Humanities, the towns of Johnsonburg and Ridgway have come together to launch the Johnsonburg-Ridgway Heart & Soul initiative.
Driven by a desire to rekindle local pride and empower residents to shape the future of their towns, this project aims to strengthen connections between community members and local leaders. Although Johnsonburg and Ridgway have separate school districts, they share high school sports teams — a reminder of how much they already have in common. Now, through Community Heart & Soul, they’ll deepen those ties and build a shared vision for the future.
We're thrilled to see more Pennsylvania communities coming together to discover what they love most about where they live, what kind of future they want, and how to make it happen — together.
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Joy joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Keithsburg joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherThrough a partnership with Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Kenockee Township, Michigan has launched Yale Area Community Heart & Soul. Residents of Kenockee Township, Michigan are working to re-engage the community, building on previous efforts to ensure every voice is heard through involving everyone with Community Heart & Soul. The exciting goal of Heart & Soul is to activate residents to take part in shaping their community's future.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of Michigan coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Located in South Carolina, we partnered with the Arras Foundation to bring Community Heart & Soul directly to the town of Kershaw. During the initial two years of the Heart & Soul Kershaw program, youth and adults engaged in a series of conversations, community mappings, and other creative activities for the purpose of identifying our common interests and values. Kershaw Heart & Soul created a clear values and vision statement for the Kershaw community. The Heart & Soul process designed a plan that can guide community decision-making processes for the future of the area.
We're thrilled that Kremmling, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Residents of Kremmling, Colorado are working to re-engage the community, building on previous efforts to ensure every voice is heard through involving everyone with Community Heart & Soul. The exciting goal of Heart & Soul is to activate residents to take part in shaping their community's future, while strengthening local pride, increasing community engagement, and planning for the future by developing actionable plans.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of Colorado coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Laconia is a small city in central New Hampshire distinguished by the four bodies of water that either border the city or are within city limits: Lake Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam Lake, Paugus Bay, and Opechee Bay. Laconia has three distinct villages as part of the makeup of the city: Downtown, Lakeport and Weir’s Beach. This has created a divide for years with residents arguing on how each area should develop, allocate budgets, and plan land use. As a tourist community, there is conflict between the economic benefits of tourism and the strain on local resources.
Through our partnership with The Greater Worcester Community Foundation, we’re excited to welcome Leicester, Massachusetts. By combining Community Heart & Soul’s proven resident-driven engagement model with the Greater Worcester Community Foundation’s deep local relationships and resources, this initiative will help communities listen at scale, build trust, and translate resident voices into shared priorities.
We look forward to the lasting impact this collaboration will create across central Massachusetts.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Lincolnville, Maine have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Lyons, Georgia are working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. It’s being done in partnership with Altamaha EMC (electric membership cooperative), an affiliate of our partner, Georgia EMC. Lyons Heart & Soul Core Team will involve everyone in the community to establish a collective vision for the future of the City of Lyons. We're thrilled that Lyons Heart & Soul is off and running!
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, Macedonia is writing the next chapter of the town’s history with the help of Community Heart & Soul. The community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents. As the community enters the next phase of Community Heart & Soul, they’re analyzing data collected and will use this to craft Heart & Soul Statements, representing what matters most to the community.
Read more about the great things happening in Macedonia here!
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Macksburg joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulMadison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Madison County Heart & Soul joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulMahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Manning Heart & Soul is a community driven effort focusing on what matters to the citizens of the Manning area in South Carolina. By sharing stories and ideas they will build a common vision for their future. The Manning Heart & Soul leadership team and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to listen to what matters most to residents. While working with residents through the Community Heart & Soul process, the Manning Heart & Soul team identified that a strong “sense of community” was something that mattered most to everyone. Residents wanted to have more community events and opportunities for residents to foster a sense of community-mindedness and be involved. Manning Heart & Soul volunteers have participated in over 20 community events, ranging from high school sporting events, outdoor concerts and festivals, as well as holding their own events.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Mansfield became one of the newest Heart & Soul communities in Pennsylvania. Mansfield is a borough located in east-central Tioga County, Pennsylvania, United States, in the Tioga River valley.
We're thrilled that Mansfield, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Matherville joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherIn 2013, McComb lost its anchor retail store, leaving 16 buildings vacant downtown. At the same time, expansion of an intermodal rail terminal nearby puts McComb at a potential pivot point. With a grant from the local community foundation, townspeople decided to draft a new future and create McComb Region Heart & Soul.
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, My Meadville started to bring the community together by talking about and identifying what matters most to all residents – the heart and soul of the City of Meadville. By bringing everyone who lives, works, plays and prays within the city limits into the conversation, the statement of what Meadville values most will aid in guiding city’s elected and appointed officials as well as individuals, agencies, groups and businesses to make the best decisions for the future.
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, this Illinois community looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents and revitalize downtown Mendota so all residents have a great place to live, work and play. With Community Heart & Soul, residents in Mendota have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. In recent years, Mendota faced some of its most difficult challenges. In 2022, the downtown experienced two devastating fires, wiping out years of revitalization efforts and leaving behind empty lots.
In response, the community came together to chart a new path forward. Through the launch of Community Heart & Soul, they embraced a resident-driven approach to rebuilding—not just buildings, but identity and pride. This initiative invited everyone in Mendota to have a voice, ensuring that future decisions reflect the hopes, values, and needs of all who call Mendota home. Together, they’re shaping a stronger, more connected, and more resilient future.
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Monticello’s Community Heart & Soul project started in the spring of 2015 in partnership with Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, and was envisioned as the first of several Heart & Soul projects in the region aimed at helping towns assess their assets and make decisions that enrich the community. Monticello has a diverse economic base of agriculture, manufacturing and small, locally owned businesses. The approximately 14 industries in town include injection molding, hydraulics, steel building manufacturing, and custom sewing and design.
Through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, the Great Carlisle Project (GCP) began in 2016. Following the Community Heart & Soul framework, members of the GCP, with the leadership of the Project Director, work with their community to tell, listen and share stories about the cultural heritage of the community. Through the storytelling process residents will come to know the "heart and soul" of their community - what they value, what matters most, how they relate to each other and to their landscape, and what they want for our future.
Mount Holly Springs joined other towns to form:
Greater Carlisle Project, Pennsylvania
In March 2017, our partnership with the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation started the Heart & Soul work within the community of Mt. Blanchard, creating Mt. Blanchard Heart & Soul. This process resulted in developing a plan for growing the community based on what matters most. The Heart & Soul process gathered information from all who call Mt. Blanchard home, built networks and connections and established goals for the future that represent all residents.
Please join us in welcoming Munster, Indiana as a new Community Heart & Soul town!
Located in the northwest corner of Indiana, just 30 miles southeast of Chicago, Munster is a vibrant community of more than 23,000 residents. With strong local leadership and a commitment to collaboration, the Town of Munster is eager to engage residents in shaping its future.
Through Community Heart & Soul, Munster aims to better understand what matters most to its residents—bringing people together, strengthening connections, and creating a shared, resident-driven vision for thoughtful growth and lasting impact. With support from our partner, the Legacy Foundation as well as, the Munster Civic Foundation, Munster is ready to begin this important work.
Muscatine Community Heart & Soul is an initiative to involve all residents in conversations to improve their community. They are off and running building on the valued strengths of their community to continually improve Muscatine in ways residents want to see. The Heart & Soul team has been hosting events and having meaningful conversations to help involve citizens in generating ideas to act upon. Their focus is on building what is working and valued in their community while ensuring all voices are incorporated into solutions.
Learn more about Muscatine Community Heart & Soul here!
We're thrilled that Nashville, Michigan, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running!
Nashville Community Heart & Soul is committed to helping Nashville build a stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant community, through a resident-driven process that will engage the entire population of Nashville. Nashville received a very strong interest from many key community members who want to discover more about what other residents are thinking and how the Community Heart & Soul process can facilitate positive action.
We're so excited to see the residents of Nashville coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it!
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
New Boston joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
New Windsor joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherMahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Newry joined other towns to form:
Mahoosuc Heart & SoulStarting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
The North Fork Heart & Soul believed there is a better and more inclusive way to move forward together in the Valley and to make decisions that take into account the diversity of experience, knowledge, and understanding people have about where they live - about what makes this place home. Heart & Soul provided a path towards building thriving places to steer the future of the North Fork Valley. A group of local residents, officials, and volunteers from the North Fork Valley who wanted to learn about what all our neighbors think matters most about where they lived and where they were headed; about the common goals they shared in their communities and for their local economy; and about how to protect and celebrate the heritage of the North Fork Valley.
North Fork Valley Heart & Soul joined other towns to form:
North Fork Heart & Soul, ColoradoSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
North Henderson joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better Together
The Town of Walden is in Jackson County (known as “North Park”), a remote and breathtakingly beautiful valley surrounded by mountains on the Colorado/Wyoming border. The area has historically depended economically on its natural resources and is currently known for natural gas extraction, as well as for its world-class fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing. North Park Heart & Soul has engaged residents to work collectively to create a vision for Jackson County that ensures the Soul of the community thrives.
Starting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Through a partnership with Innovia Foundation, Oakesdale, Washington has launched Oakesdale Heart & Soul along with the Oakesdale Community Association. The goal is to bring people together to learn each other’s stories, develop connections through conversation, and discover what residents love about Oakesdale as well as what they would like to see in the future!
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of WA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read some recent press about the great things happening in Oakesdale here!
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, the City of Oil City, the City of Franklin, and Cranberry Township have joined together to form Venango Area Heart & Soul.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of PA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
The North Fork Heart & Soul believed there is a better and more inclusive way to move forward together in the Valley and to make decisions that take into account the diversity of experience, knowledge, and understanding people have about where they live - about what makes this place home. Heart and Soul provides a path towards building thriving places where we as citizens steer the future of the North Fork Valley. We are a group of local residents, officials, and volunteers from the North Fork Valley who want to learn about what all our neighbors think matters most about where we live and where we are headed; about the common goals we share in our communities and for our local economy; and about how to protect and celebrate the heritage of the North Fork Valley.
Paonia joined other towns to form:
North Fork Heart & Soul, Colorado
We're thrilled that Paradise, Michigan, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running!
Whitefish Township (which incorporates Paradise) has less than 500 full-time residents. There are probably another 1000 seasonal residents. The Paradise Area Community Foundation is a driving force behind the project and there are over 60 volunteers in the community participating in Heart & Soul activities. Along with the Paradise Area Community Foundation, the Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce, the Paradise Area Tourism Council and the Whitefish Township Board are all supporting the Heart & Soul effort.
Paradise Area Heart & Soul is committed to helping build a stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant community, through our resident-driven process that will engage the entire population. We're so excited to see the residents coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it!
We're excited to announce that Terrell County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, has support from Sumter EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Patterson joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulWe’re excited that Peosta, Iowa has launched Peosta Today, Tomorrow, Together Heart & Soul and will be working to engage residents in identifying community values and goals to guide future decision-making through Community Heart & Soul. The effort was spearheaded by Peosta Economic Development Corp. and our existing long-standing partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
We're so excited to see the residents of Peosta coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it!
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Pittsfield, Maine are working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. They want to engage residents and bring people together, working toward a common goal of increasing community activities and engagement, as well as attracting new residents. The town’s leadership are open and excited for community participation in shaping the future of the community.
We're thrilled that Pittsfield Heart & Soul is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
The Polson Heart & Soul project asked residents what they loved about Polson and their hopes for Polson’s future. The Team listened and recorded every one of their answers. The data was compiled and about eight themes emerged. Following the confirmation and determination of a final set of values in early 2014, the final step was the recommendation and action-planning phase. Recommendations provided community volunteers, nonprofit organizations, civic groups, and local government with a clear idea of how to align their projects and collaborate on community priorities.
Through a partnership with Innovia Foundation and in collaboration with Save the Blues & Rural Launch NW, Pomeroy is now a Heart & Soul community in Washington. Pomeroy is the county seat and only incorporated city in Garfield County, Washington, located in the southeastern part of the state. It lies in the hilly region between the Blue Mountains to the south and the Palouse region to the north. Residents of Pomeroy are using Community Heart & Soul to build on the progress they’ve made and further strengthen the bonds within their community.
We're so excited to see the residents of Pomeroy coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read our press release about the great things happening in Pomeroy, Washington here!
It was more than 20 years ago that the City of Pontiac last prepared a comprehensive city plan for the future. Much has changed in our community over those 20+ years, and it is time to create a new plan. In the simplest terms, an effective city plan helps government and citizens, working together, create a great community -- a wonderful place to live, to work, to raise a family. Having a plan allows us some control over the future of our city and provides us with a set of guidelines that we can refer to as circumstances change over time.
In order to get more public input on the shape of the City of Pontiac’s future, the City Council will be utilizing a new method of planning. At its December 18, 2017 meeting, the Council approved a resolution authorizing the implementation of the Community Heart and Soul.
Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Port Allegany became one of the newest Heart & Soul communities in Pennsylvania. Port Allegany (pop 2090) is nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
We're thrilled that Port Allegany, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Postville, Iowa, is a small community with almost 3,000 residents, encompassing a little more than two square miles in a land of gently rolling hills. With a Seed Grant from Community Heart & Soul and the enthusiastic support of the Postville City Council, the Allamakee County Economic Development, the Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative, and the nonprofit Our Postville, a team of volunteers is off and running working on resident participation.
Through a partnership with Innovia Foundation, Pullman, Washington has launched Pullman Community Heart & Soul. Residents of Pullman, Washington are working to re-engage the community, building on previous efforts to ensure every voice is heard through involving everyone with Community Heart & Soul. The goal is to strengthen connections with groups and individuals who may currently be disconnected.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of WA coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Read some recent press about the great things happening in Pullman here!
Through our partnership with PA Humanities, the towns of Johnsonburg and Ridgway have come together to launch the Johnsonburg-Ridgway Heart & Soul initiative.
Driven by a desire to rekindle local pride and empower residents to shape the future of their towns, this project aims to strengthen connections between community members and local leaders. Although Johnsonburg and Ridgway have separate school districts, they share high school sports teams — a reminder of how much they already have in common. Now, through Community Heart & Soul, they’ll deepen those ties and build a shared vision for the future.
We're thrilled to see more Pennsylvania communities coming together to discover what they love most about where they live, what kind of future they want, and how to make it happen — together.
Rockland Heart & Soul began in 2016 to collect input in support development of a new Comprehensive Plan for the city. The project was organized, led and implemented by a group of volunteers who collected over 300 interviews of community members. Drawing on data from interviews and other engagement activities, the Rockland Heart & Soul team developed twelve Heart & Soul statements and identified 65 actions to strengthen the community.
A Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant recipient, Rosendale looked to the Community Heart & Soul model to ensure input from all residents. The Rosendale Heart & Soul effort was initiated in spring 2022 by the Rosendale Economic Development Committee which was aware that the most recent Rosendale comprehensive plan was completed in 2005.
Rosendale Heart & Soul seeks to build on the prior town plan, increase and improve engagement between Rosendale Village Route 32 corridor bordering Main Street and the hamlets. The project received a supporting resolution from the Town Board and then became an independent NYS nonprofit group supported by a core group of volunteers. This project will provide a process to bridge business, geographic divides and create a community that supports all residents.
Through a partnership with Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Ruby, Michigan has launched Yale Area Community Heart & Soul. Residents of Ruby, Michigan are working to re-engage the community, building on previous efforts to ensure every voice is heard through involving everyone with Community Heart & Soul. The exciting goal of Heart & Soul is to activate residents to take part in shaping their community's future.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of Michigan coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
We're excited to announce that Terrell County, one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! This county-wide initiative, which includes the communities of Bronwood, Dawson, Parrott, and Sasser, has support from Sumter EMC, Georgia EMC, and the Terrell County Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Seaton joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherSince the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Sherrard joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherWith approximately 4,500 residents, Cameron County is the least populated county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It boasts an abundance of natural beauty, including expansive forests and outdoor recreation opportunities. Once home to thriving industries, Cameron County has faced economic challenges as major employers left over the years. Through Community Heart & Soul, the community has restored pride, celebrated its heritage, and shaped a vision for the future. Sinnemahoning joined other Pennsylvania towns in receiving support and guidance from our partner, the PA Humanities.
Sinnemahoning joined other towns to form:
The Cameron County ProjectWith a population of 1,945, the town of Spirit Lake is located next to a lake of the same name in the heart of the state’s “panhandle region” about 25 miles north of Coeur d’Alene. Through a partnership with the Innovia Foundation, residents in Spirit Lake, Idaho are working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
We're thrilled that Spirt Lake Heart & Soul is off and running!
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
St Charles joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulPlease join us in welcoming Strawberry Point, Iowa to Community Heart & Soul!
Located in northeastern Iowa, about an hour northwest of Dubuque, Strawberry Point is a close-knit community of approximately 1,267 residents. Through Community Heart & Soul, the town is looking to engage residents, local officials, and community leaders in identifying shared priorities, strengthening connections, and supporting a vibrant local economy.
Known for its small-town charm, Strawberry Point is also home to the world’s largest strawberry—a 15-foot fiberglass landmark that celebrates the community’s unique character. We’re excited to see residents come together to identify what matters most and help shape the future of Strawberry Point.
With approximately 4,500 residents, Cameron County is the least populated county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It boasts an abundance of natural beauty, including expansive forests and outdoor recreation opportunities. Once home to thriving industries, Cameron County has faced economic challenges as major employers left over the years. Through Community Heart & Soul, the community has restored pride, celebrated its heritage, and shaped a vision for the future. The county seat, Emporium, serves as a central hub, but efforts have been made to ensure all towns and villages within the county feel included in revitalization efforts.
The Cameron County Project joined other towns to form:
The Cameron County Project
Georgia EMC’s Community Development Team partnered to offer Community Heart & Soul® to the Thomaston-Upson (T-Up) community on behalf of Upson EMC. T-Up Heart & Soul was a joint effort of the City of Thomaston, The Upson County Commission, Upson EMC, the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, private businesses, and countless volunteers. In March of 2020, the T-Up Heart & Soul team was recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for being the first community in the state to complete the process.
Georgia EMC’s Community Development Team partnered to offer Community Heart & Soul® to the Thomaston-Upson (T-Up) community on behalf of Upson EMC. T-Up Heart & Soul was a joint effort of the City of Thomaston, The Upson County Commission, Upson EMC, the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, private businesses, and countless volunteers. In March of 2020, the T-Up Heart & Soul team was recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for being the first community in the state to complete the process.
Thomaston joined other towns to form:
Thomaston-Upson Heart & Soul
Tidioute Borough is a small community nestled in a valley in the foothills of the Allegheny mountains. Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Tidioute became a 2021 Heart & Soul community. Tidioute residents recognize that these challenges require a broader, creative approach to revitalization, which is why they have embraced the Heart & Soul process.
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Truro joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & SoulStarting in February 2021, our partner Pennsylvania Humanities Council is bringing Community Heart & Soul to four sites along the Route 6 Corridor, including Wyoming County. This town is part of Wyoming County, replete with natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Its over 400 square miles are situated along Route 6 and the Susquehanna River, where rolling farmlands and vast woodlands are dotted by quaint rural villages, historic sites, tumbling streams and scenic vistas. Just a short drive from Scranton, Wyoming County has an interesting mix of rural towns and friendly neighborhoods with plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun.
Located in southeastern Pennsylvania, Upper Chichester Township is a quiet suburban community with a diverse population. Its residents enjoy short commutes to Philadelphia and Wilmington, as well as easy access to the many amenities of the greater Philadelphia area. Small businesses line the main roads offering opportunities for shopping, dining, and services. Community Heart & Soul provided a framework for engaging residents, strengthening community networks, and creating a shared vision for the township’s future—one that everyone in the township can take pride in.
With the help of a Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant, residents in Grand Isle and Van Buren, Maine have been working to identify what matters most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. We're thrilled that Van Buren Heart & Soul one of the newest additions to the Heart & Soul network, is off and running! Be sure to check back in the future - we’ll post updates and links as they progress in their Heart & Soul journey.
Envision Victor sought to implement a new kind of planning in our City, a process that focused on engaging our citizens, bridging our divisions, and honoring our shared values, in order to realize a vibrant and enduring Victor for years to come.
Since the inception of Mercer County Better together in 2016, using Community Heart & Soul they have leveraged the power of collaboration to strengthen our county and communities. Mercer County Better Together (MCBT) is a 501c3 nonprofit community and economic development organization committed to improving the strength, sustainability and vibrancy of Mercer County, its communities, businesses and organizations through the alignment of resources and priorities.
Viola joined other towns to form:
Mercer County Better TogetherAkron-Westfield Community Heart & Soul served residents within the Akron-Westfield Community School District in northwest Iowa including the communities of Akron (population 1,588), Westfield (population 130) and surrounding rural areas. Set within the scenic Loess Hills region and adjacent to the Big Sioux River, the area offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Downtown Akron is home to locally owned shops and dining options, as well as the historic Akron Opera House.
The towns of Akron and Westfield, Iowa joined forces to improve their communities. They received $10,000 to kickstart Community Heart & Soul through our Seed Grant Program. Stronger Together: Akron and Westfield Heart & Soul is discovering what matters most to the residents and playing the long game.
Westfield joined other towns to form:
Akron-Westfield Heart & Soul
The Heart of Williamsport, a Community Heart & Soul® project through our partnership with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, actively seeks the collective wisdom of all citizens, including those whose voices are often missing, to bring people together to build stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant community.
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Willingboro Township will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
Known historically as “Toy Town” for its once-thriving wooden toy manufacturing industry, Winchendon is a small town in north-central Massachusetts that has long embraced creativity and craftsmanship. Today, it is home to approximately 10,300 residents and features scenic outdoor and recreational offerings, including forest trails, lakes, and wildlife areas. Like many small towns, Winchendon has faced challenges related to economic transition and civic engagement, but it is also a place of resilience and pride. With a walkable downtown, rich cultural heritage, and a tradition of volunteerism, Winchendon is drawing on Community Heart & Soul to build a stronger, more vibrant future.
Winchendon was selected to receive one of the first three $10,000 Seed Grants awarded by Community Heart & Soul. With leadership from HEAL Winchendon, a community-based coalition, resident, and youth leaders are promoting inclusive community engagement through Community Heart & Soul in Winchendon.
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Winslow will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
Madison County, Iowa Community Heart & Soul is aimed at reconnecting people with what they love most about their town and translates those personal and emotional connections into a blueprint for future community decisions. The ultimate goal of the the Madison County Community Heart & Soul Initiate is to create a permanent shift toward more effective and participatory decision making in Madison County, Iowa.
Winterset joined other towns to form:
Madison County Heart & Soul
In the summer of 2019, the Community Foundation of South Jersey launched Transform South Jersey, a new initiative to strengthen the social, cultural, and economic vibrancy of South Jersey communities by activating residents to influence community development and shape the future based on what matters most to them. Through the Transform South Jersey partnership the community of Woodbury will go through the Heart & Soul process, receive training & coaching, and get support in establishing and building their own locally controlled endowed community fund to be responsive to the priorities they identify through their Heart & Soul work.
Be sure to check back for updates on their journey as we highlight their work in the community here!
Mahoosuc Heart & Soul includes Greenwood, Woodstock, Newry, Bethel, and the surrounding townships. The process involved over 100 volunteers who contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours to the process. Through one-on-one interviews, group storytelling events, coasters in restaurants, story circles, poetry nights, online surveys, and classroom assignments the team heard thousands of responses from community members. Mahoosuc Heart & Soul followed the four phases of the Community Heart & Soul method while tailoring activities to meet the needs of the Mahoosuc community.
Woodstock joined other towns to form:
Mahoosuc Heart & SoulThrough a partnership with Community Foundation of St. Clair County, Yale, Michigan has launched Yale Area Community Heart & Soul. Residents of Yale, Michigan are working to re-engage the community, building on previous efforts to ensure every voice is heard through involving everyone with Community Heart & Soul. The exciting goal of Heart & Soul is to activate residents to take part in shaping their community's future.
We're so excited to see entire communities across the state of Michigan coming together to identify what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
Georgia EMC’s Community Development Team partnered to offer Community Heart & Soul® to the Thomaston-Upson (T-Up) community on behalf of Upson EMC. T-Up Heart & Soul was a joint effort of the City of Thomaston, The Upson County Commission, Upson EMC, the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce, private businesses, and countless volunteers. In March of 2020, the T-Up Heart & Soul team was recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives for being the first community in the state to complete the process.
Yatesville joined other towns to form:
Thomaston-Upson Heart & Soul
Youngsville is a community nestled in a valley within the Pennsylvania Wilds along Route 6 and has a variety of local businesses, a library, churches, and several parks. Through a partnership with PA Humanities, Youngsville became a Heart & Soul community. Youngsville's Heart & Soul aims to listen to the community, cherish all traditions, embrace their diversity, and ensure inclusion to build a strong social, cultural, and economic environment now and for future generations.