We Did It!

I’m proud to announce that the Tribune Building Project has been selected to receive a $400,000 2014 Creative Placemaking grant from ArtPlace America. We are one of 55 projects, and the only grantee in the state of Wisconsin, selected to receive a grant out of more than 1,200 letters of inquiry. 

This investment will help to realize the resident-led vision for the future of the Tribune Building.  To celebrate the area’s history and riverfront asset, funding will be utilized for enhancements to the rooftop, expanded exterior landscape, and interior storytelling and signage.

Through the resident-led process, the community envisions a building that will feature space and programming for artists, makers, local food processors, and other creative entrepreneurs. When complete, the Tribune Building will be reinvented as an iconic symbol that serves as a source of community collaboration, innovation and pride. 

It’s an exciting day for south Wood County – thank you to the more than 500 residents who have invested their time in this exciting process, and thank you to ArtPlace America for investing in our community.

Watch the video announcement.
For more information on the Tribune Building Project, visit TribuneBuilding.org.

Here’s to our future!

Kelly

Places Define a Community, But They are Nothing Without People

Think about a place that has had a big impact on you. What was powerful, memorable and special about it?

I remember visiting New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. There was unbelievable devastation. But the more powerful sight for me was seeing people come together to support one another and rebuild the places in their neighborhoods that were important to them.

Places are not just a building or a sidewalk. They are what people make them. Please watch this video, which helps to visualize the opportunities that exist when we view spaces and places with an open mind.

Incourage saw potential in the former Daily Tribune building. As a result, we purchased the space with the intent that residents would make it a place of their own. Over 500 community members have been involved in this resident-led decision making process.

The plans for the building’s future, as determined by residents, were revealed at our first meeting of Phase 2 on April 29. For full details, go to TribuneBuilding.org.

Because residents came together and viewed this space with an open mind, soon they will be found sipping locally brewed beer at tables overlooking the Wisconsin River, or hooking into a safety harness for an afternoon climb on an indoor rock wall. They might rent a kayak for a paddle down the river, or participate in experimental learning in the creative workshop.

The Tribune Building will be a dynamic place that has a long-lasting impact in south Wood County. Most importantly, it will serve as an example of what happens when residents come together and exercise their power and ability to shape the future of our community.

Thanks for reading.

Kelly

Local Investment Makes Sense

Here’s a thought-provoking read from Don Schaffer, president and CEO of RSF Social Finance. Don mentions Incourage in an important blog post that highlights the need for community foundations to pursue impact investment strategies. All community organizations have the opportunity to reinvent themselves, but there is a “big gap between the desire many have to pursue impact investing and the knowledge they need to actually do it.”

I couldn’t agree more. Impact investing demands a change in an organization’s culture and mindset — something we’re pursuing at Incourage — but it’s not without challenges.

Don suggests organizations create fertile ground for impact investing by reevaluating investment opportunities, restructuring the organization and by working with their boards to change internal culture.

Read Don Schaffer’s full blog post.

Thanks for reading.

Kelly