Learn how to get involved at Community Foundation 101

"We have a hunger of the mind which asks for knowledge of all around us, and the more we gain, the more is our desire; the more we see, the more we are capable of seeing."

Maria Mitchell

Community foundations are great resources for advancing the community. Community foundations work every day to make life better for everyone.

The goal of their work is very simple - Make Good Things Happen!

Even though the goal is simple, the step process of achieving that goal can be complicated. How does someone convey the essence of the work of a community foundation?

The Board of Directors of the Crown Point Community Foundation and staff struggle with this question daily. They know that the foundation's work is multifaceted and they want the community to better understand the work that is done.

They want to explain how the funds grow, how the grants are distributed and how the foundation connects to the community. They want everyone to know about the foundation and about how each individual can play a part in making the community a better place for all.

The Board of Directors of the Crown Point Community Foundation has devised a plan in an effort to make the community more familiar with the foundation. During 2012, the Crown Point Community Foundation will host a series of one-hour sessions, Community Foundation 101.

These small group sessions will give attendees the opportunity to meet the board of directors and the staff of the foundation and:

• Tour the building/offices of the foundation

• Hear an overview of the foundation's history and current facts about the foundation

• Define the terms endowment, philanthropy, grant maker, community connector

• Ask questions of staff and board members

• Find out how to get involved as a donor, grantee, volunteer or community advocate

If you have always wondered what a community foundation does, how they do it, or how you can help build a better community with it, then Community Foundation 101 is for you.

Our goal is to share our story. Our goal is to make everyone a part of this wonderful asset serving everyone in our community. Come hear the story, become a friend of the foundation.

Call our office at (219) 662-7252 to schedule your Community Foundation 101 session.

Patricia Huber is president and executive director of the Crown Point Community Foundation. She can be reached at (219) 662-7252 or cpcf@sbcglobal.net. The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.