The purpose of WCI's Community Initiative is "...to
assist communities and the greater region in developing the capacities necessary
to address priority needs and sustain their economic
and social viability." The assistance
provided to communities in west central Minnesota may take the form of direct services,
technical assistance, grant funding, and development
of local philanthropic resources. WCI also undertakes
a number of region-wide efforts that have impact on the
viability of local communities through this initiative. |
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The Major Elements of WCI’s Community
Initiative include:
Community Organizing and Visioning Grants
Grants to west central Minnesota communities to help them develop a partnership among concerned citizens and a shared community vision to address critical community needs.
Picture It Painted Grants
A partnership with Valspar
Corporation that provides grants of paints and coatings for qualifying
community projects in west central Minnesota.
Leadership / Management
Programs designed to increase
the leadership capacities of individuals in west central Minnesota communities and the
management capacity of community nonprofit organizations in the region.
- Leadership
Development Grants
Grants that
help communities establish and sustain programs to recruit
and train additional leaders to meet local needs.
- Leadership
Diversity Grants
Grants to
ensure that a wide diversity of individuals have the
opportunity to receive leadership training. Funds are
used to help overcome barriers to participation in
leadership training such as childcare costs, lost wages,
transportation, etc.
- Management
Assistance Grants
Grants to help
nonprofit organizations overcome management and governance
issues that limit their effectiveness or threaten their
viability. Application for management assistance grants
is by invitation only.
Grant Frequently Asked Questions Community
Development
A partnership with the Economic Development Administration
to conduct community and economic development planning in west central Minnesota.
Transportation Planning
A partnership
with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to conduct
transportation planning
in west central Minnesota.
Component Funds
Philanthropic funds established by communities,
corporations, individual donors and institutions in west central Minnesota to fulfill
their charitable objectives. Contributions to component funds
are restricted
for purposes established by the donors. Distributions (grants
and loans) are typically based on recommendations by the donor
or a community advisory committee. |
