The Foundation is an operating foundation; as such its staff will be directly involved as a partner in the selected projects. Foundation staff members are not involved in project implementation on a day-to-day basis but rather serve in an “active advisory” role. In that role, Foundation staff will be available to assist with project design, the selection and application of community engagement tools, and the application of community engagement results to decision-making and strategic planning. Additionally, as a project partner, the Foundation will be involved with the approval of outside consultants and the scope of their work.
The Foundation will provide training, as described in Section 3, to project staff and volunteers around issues most relevant to the project. The Foundation will also work with project partners to evaluate the project and to communicate results to local, regional and national audiences. The Foundation will establish a learning network to facilitate the exchange of information among the Foundation’s Heart & Soul communities.
Participating municipalities and their partner organizations are expected to play the primary role in project design, management and implementation. The lead partners must demonstrate that they have the leadership and capacity to: ensure successful community engagement, carry out project activities, be responsible for implementing recommendations that result from the project and make structural and financial commitments to stewarding results.
The municipality and partners are expected to contribute to the assistance and participation of key town staff and boards as appropriate, oversee the Project Coordinator, provide budgetary oversight, participate on the Community Advisory Team, assist with communications and public outreach efforts, participate in Foundation training events and project evaluation as described in Section 3, and in sharing lessons learned with other communities.
Partner organizations will vary widely among communities. Examples from the Foundation’s experience includes: local or regional not-for-profits, Main Street organizations, local or regional economic development groups, conservation non-profits, chambers of commerce, local or regional business associations, cultural groups, schools and universities.