Incourage
plays a unique, valuable and vital role in our community. This was reinforced
for me while reviewing the first collection in a series of Impact Papers
designed to serve as a periodic “Report to the Community”. The papers describe
Incourage’s work and changing role over the last two decades in south Wood
County. I have paused repeatedly – impressed by the people and organizations
who have supported Incourage and our community – and thought, “How lucky are we?”
A clear pattern of learning and adapting by
Incourage over the years has led to a wide spectrum of activities that touch
many aspects of life in our community. It is no wonder we are regularly asked “What is Incourage?” To effectively answer the question, I must
begin by sharing our origin story.
Virginia Brazeau established the former
“South Wood County Community Foundation” (now Incourage) in 1994, with support
from the Richard S. Brazeau Family Foundation.
Virginia, her family and advisors were visionaries. They were champions
of the ‘community foundation’ concept and created an innovative plan to launch
ours. It was designed to be an organization that would serve and reflect the
interests of not just one wealthy family or one corporation. It was designed to
be created by the people, for the people. It was incorporated as a “permanent
charitable organization with a long-term perspective” to “meet the changing
needs of the community”. Vision, flexibility, a commitment to learning and
innovation were embedded in our DNA from inception.
It is these very traits – vision, flexibility,
learning and innovation – that have served us well in ‘meeting the changing
needs of the community’. There has been no greater change for our community
than globalization, automation and downsizing of the paper industry; the
backbone of our economy for over a century.
Incourage drew on these organizational
strengths and sought input from residents to determine what role we should play
in meeting the need. We conducted community focus groups in 2002 after the sale
of Consolidated Papers in which residents asked us to do more. They asked us to
create jobs and focus on growing a strong, local economy. Again, in 2012
through the community survey, over 4,000 respondents identified the top four
priorities for our region: a strong, local economy; attract and retain young
adults and families; natural
resources and recreation; openness to new ideas and change – priorities that
continue to inform our strategic direction today.
“Meeting this changing need” – to rebuild
and diversify an economy – is not easy work.
This is long-term, generational change. It requires new thinking,
flexibility, persistence, innovation, collaboration and a sense of shared
destiny among the people, businesses and organizations that call this place
home.
So
then, “What is Incourage?”
Incourage is a community economic development
organization. But not just any community developer.
We are a community developer that uses
philanthropy as a primary tool, is anchored in this community and uniquely
suited to lead long-term, multi-generational work.
We are a community developer that stewards
and connects community capitals – moral, social, human, intellectual,
reputational, financial and natural – toward a powerful shared vision: a
community that works well for all.
We are a community developer that uses our
values of equity, opportunity and shared stewardship to guide our investments.
We are a community developer with a central
belief that the greatest asset we have is our people, many of whom are featured
in this 2013 presentation recognizing Incourage as a national “Big Bet for the Future of
Philanthropy”.
We are a community developer with a belief
in the wisdom of residents to determine and shape the community they desire.
So, how do you accomplish this? What does the
day-to-day look like?
Incourage has and will continue to invest permanent
charitable funds and distribute grants for the benefit of the community…and, we
do so much more.
We are a lender
to local small business and entrepreneurs. We are an investor
in community banks, credit unions, affordable housing, downtown development and hold shares in local paper companies. We are leading
efforts to transform
manufacturing workforce development for the benefit of both businesses and
workers. We bring individuals and organizations together for community
dialogue on issues and opportunities important to our future. We support
and facilitate networks of individuals and organizations with common interests
to increase collaboration, impact and advance collective good. We commission
and are a source of research,
educational
briefs and data on
community indicators of economic growth and opportunity. We advocate for
policies and investments that benefit our region. We operate training and leadership programs
that support the growth and development of residents and community
organizations. We are a community organizer around a shared vision.
Incourage will continue to learn, adapt and
be responsive to the changing needs of south Wood County. We will seek partners
and model shared leadership. We will respectfully challenge ‘business as usual’
thinking. We will embody courage and take prudent, values-aligned risk. We will
be transparent and share both successes and failures. We will test new
approaches that capitalize on learning, build trusting relationships, reflect
resident priorities and maximize resources to realize a community that works
well for all.
If you are a resident of south Wood County
or have an interest in its future, I do hope you’ll take the time to read the Impact Papers.
Economic Growth is a great place to start. You might be surprised and impressed
by the involvement and support of so many in this journey – engaged board
members and staff, donors, residents, former residents, volunteers, businesses,
community organizations, national foundations, state and federal funding
agencies.
Perhaps you’ll consider Virginia’s foresight
in creating an organization that is “by the people, for the people”, and join
me in thinking “How lucky are we?”
Kelly
