Who can initiate the Community Heart & Soul process?

• A number of people! The process can be initiated by residents, community-based organizations, or local governments. The official applicant must be a nonprofit or unit of local government, or there must be a fiscal sponsor that meets these qualifications.

What is the eligible population range for Community Heart & Soul communities?

• Community Heart & Soul is designed for rural communities with populations under 30,000.

Are other "communities" besides cities and towns eligible for the program?

• Multi-town, regional, or county efforts may be eligible if the total population does not exceed 30,000.

How does Community Heart & Soul interact with other community development and planning efforts?

• Community Heart & Soul does not replace other community development and planning processes. However, it complements other community initiatives to increase community engagement and support for community-led programs and activities.

Can a community focus on a predetermined theme during the Community Heart & Soul process?

• Community Heart & Soul is a bottom-up, resident-driven process that should not driven by any predetermined theme. The strength of the model lies in the design: there is no agenda being promoted, other than a genuine desire to improve community relationships and collaborative decision-making.

Carrie Coan (West Yellowstone Foundation)

• Carrie Coan is the forward-thinking Executive Director of the West Yellowstone Foundation, dedicated to enriching the community through diverse programs. Leading with a strong commitment to growth, she enhances the lives of residents and visitors alike. In her role, Carrie oversees a wide array of impactful initiatives that touch every aspect of community life, from Public Transportation to Postsecondary Education Scholarships, Community Grants, Fiscal Sponsorships, Endowments, Housing Coalition Facilitation, High School Career Fairs, and Fundraising. Carrie’s leadership extends beyond her role, actively engaging in community activities, advisory boards, and collaborations. Originally from Minnesota, she now resides in West Yellowstone where she enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, canoeing, camping, biking, and skiing

Taylor Crowl (Montana Community Foundation)

• Taylor joined the Montana Community Foundation in August 2022 as the Program Officer for Local Community Foundations. In this role, she helps local community foundations build their endowments, conduct strategic grantmaking, and address their community’s needs now and in the future. Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She previously worked as a Program Specialist – Community Development for the Montana Department of Commerce, where she helped small towns across the state navigate their revitalization through the Montana Main Street, Montana Historic Preservation Grant, and Community Development Block Grant Programs. Although she grew up on the South Side of Chicago, she moved to Montana to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA and ever since then has been hooked on “The Last Best Place."

Elisa Fiaschetti (Montana Community Foundation)

• Elisa joined the Montana Community Foundation in June 2021 as the Program Director. In her role, Elisa is responsible for implementing, assessing, and improving MFC's Impact Programs. Prior to joining MCF, Elisa was the rural Community Development Manager for the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development where she developed and managed the Main Street Montana Rural Partners Initiative. Elisa has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sociology from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, and a master’s degree in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. Additionally, she is an American grant Writers Association Certified Grant Writer.

Mandie Reed (Montana State University Extension)

• Mandie is the Montanan State University Extension Agent serving in Wheatland County, Montana, a position she has held since 2004. She delivers programs to meet the needs of the people in Wheatland County in four program areas: 4-H and Youth Development, Family and Consumer Science, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Community Development. Mandie has also served on the statewide planning committee for Reimagining Rural and Big Sky, Big Leadership. She has offered the BSBL program in Wheatland County for 4 years. What Mandie loves most about her job is the opportunity to work with creative peers and to serve her community.
  

More information is available via the recorded April 2, 2024 information session. Watch now!