Orton Seeks to Unlock Potential with New Request for Proposals
Second RFP issued for $10 million Heart & Soul Community Planning initiative
For Immediate Release
Middlebury, VT — The Orton Family Foundation seeks to partner with four new communities in the second round of its five-year, $10 million Heart & Soul Community Planning initiative. The initiative challenges citizens to imagine and achieve a better future for themselves and their community. The Request for Proposals (RFP) was released Monday, April 18th.
“Orton is set apart by our unwavering belief in the power of citizen engagement, and the proven ability to harness this power to guide positive change,” said Bill Roper, Foundation President & CEO, as he announced the release of the RFP. “Having experienced success in our five pilot towns, we are excited to apply this process in four new communities.”
Every town has authenticity, character, spirit—its own heart and soul. One-size-fits-all development means that many towns in America have lost what makes them unique, those special qualities that keep a place from becoming Anywhere, USA. The Foundation works with communities to counter such consequences, first, by helping residents voice what they value most about their town and, second, by placing those shared values at the center of the planning process.
“The Foundation is developing a new way to energize people to play an active role in shaping their community’s future—a new way to plan that changes the conversation and gives community members a voice that leads to action,” said Lyman Orton, Board Chair and Founder of the Foundation.
Orton is offering a conference call series, Unlocking Heart & Soul, designed to acquaint applicants with the essential elements of Heart & Soul Community Planning. The calls will take place on Wednesdays, beginning May 4th.
“Heart & Soul Community Planning can only be as successful as the communities that pursue it,” said Roper. “We’re keen to partner with towns ready to embark on this cutting-edge approach to steering change and achieving tangible results.”