“Thanks to the efforts of an excited and engaged steering committee that was formed as a result of the Ball State University Community Development Course in June of 2021, we are now putting aspirations into action in four key areas for growth in Pulaski County,” declared Executive Director Wendy Rose.

The Aspirations in Action Steering Committee defined the following key impact areas to actively pursue:  Broadband, Housing, Downtown, and Recreation/Tourism.  An intensive workday in November utilized guidance from topic experts, leading to plans for pursuing actions in each of the areas.  The workplans align with the strategic plan of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission. 

This free event offered interested individuals an opportunity to learn about the process of running for elected office. Topics included election laws and required paperwork, the basics of running a campaign, the role of party chairs in the election process and more. A panel of local elected officials shared "real-life" experience and answered questions.

"Helping to educate new and existing leaders is one way the foundation is investing in the future growth of our county," remarked Wendy Rose, CFPC Executive Director.

View the event presentation.

The Leadership Pulaski County program launched in August, 2021 and is presented by Purdue Extension Pulaski County and sponsored by the CFPC Forward Thinking Leadership Initiative. The program is for individuals interested in advancing their leadership skills; learning more about the community; connecting with business and community leaders; and who have a desire to become more involved in the Pulaski County community. 

Additional sponsors:  

Gold Sponsors - First National Bank of Monterey, Global Energy Generation, Next Era Energy, Regional Development Company

Silver Sponsors - Greenbridge Farms, Meadow Springs Manor, One Eyed Jacks & Jack’s Celebration Station, Photography by Karla, Winamac Eagles #2580

Bronze Sponsors - Monterey’s Meeting Place, Pulaski County Fair & Community Association, Pulaski County Human Services.

Twenty-eight individuals gathered for 2.5 days in June, 2021 for this course through the Indiana Communities Institute at Ball State University. Elected officials, community leaders, and engaged citizens were introduced to concepts for building stronger, more sustainable communities. 

Sessions included readiness for change, community engagement, local economies, civic design, comprehensive community wealth, integrated storytelling, and a capstone exercise for actionable items. They were also given tools for community visioning, tips on facilitation, placemaking principles and more. Read full story.

The 2020 Excellence in Nonprofit Management Series was the first program launched under the Community  Foundation's Forward Thinking Leadership Initiative.  

The training series was created following a survey of Pulaski County nonprofits to assess the status of local nonprofit management. Click here to view the Nonprofit Survey Results.

The training was deemed a huge success and was very well received by community nonprofits.  Click here for the 2020 program results and quotes from participants.

Six participants successfully met additional specific requirements and were awarded Certificates of Excellence. View them here.

Following the Community Conversation process of 2019 in which the community expressed their desire for visionary leadership and forward momentum for Pulaski County, the Community Foundation of Pulaski County developed and launched its Forward Thinking Leadership Initiative. Read more here.

In the fall of 2020, the Community Foundation received a Community Leadership Grant of $100,000 as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s seventh phase of Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VII) initiative. With the grant, the community foundation will pursue efforts to build and strengthen forward-thinking leadership across the county. Read more...