Critical Impact Award Reflects Local Residents’ Commitment
to Build Strong Communities

May 29, 2008

When people in a community share a common vision, they can do great things.

Local residents, working with the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County, the Barker Mead Fund, and the Ford Foundation, have made significant investments in developing existing community assets, stimulating entrepreneurial growth, and harnessing the power of philanthropy to promote the common good, through the Community Progress Initiative. 

 These three funders were recently recognized with the Council on Foundation’s Critical Impact Award in Washington, D.C. The award was presented at the Council’s Leadership Summit of more than 4,000 foundation representatives. It is presented in recognition of grant-funded projects that have had a demonstrated impact on the common good – locally, nationally, and/or globally – and can serve as models for others in philanthropy. 

"When a community foundation the size of South Wood County wins, it's a real tribute to the work it does. They showed a commitment to go beyond their traditional work to provide community leadership, creating change," noted Steve Gunderson, Council on Foundations President & CEO.

“This award recognizes the hard work and effort put forth by the staff and boards of both organizations in delivering the Community Progress Initiative,” said Kelly Lucas, Community Foundation CEO. “Most importantly, it recognizes the residents of this area who shared a common vision, engaged in, and supported the Progress Initiative. They are building strong communities.”

As rural communities across America compete with a powerful and changing global economy, they must develop new and creative approaches to respond to these challenges. The Community Progress Initiative - a bold three-year change effort created and launched through a partnership between the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and the Community Foundation - provided the structure for a nontraditional response to community and economic development.

It empowered a diverse group of residents to get involved in shaping and creating the kinds of communities in which they wanted to live. Local residents, working with these funders, have made significant investments in developing existing community assets, stimulating entrepreneurial growth, and harnessing the power of philanthropy to promote the common good.