Pomeroy garners $30k Innovia grant

SPOKANE–Innovia Foundation recently announced that Pomeroy is among the first eastern Washington and North Idaho communities selected for the Community Heart & Soul® initiative. The City of Pomeroy will be embarking on a two-year journey to engage residents in identifying what they love the most about their community, what future they want for it and how to achieve it.

"In our small community, Heart & Soul will provide the direction and personality to facilitate bringing our legacy families and our newcomers together, working toward a shared vision," said Jack Peasley, mayor of Pomeroy.

Community Heart & Soul is open to communities with a population of 30,000 or less in Innovia's 20-county service area. The program follows three guiding principles to engage and improve communities: involve everyone, focus on what matters most and play the long game. Selected communities will each receive a $30,000 grant from Innovia to support community-based project coordinators and activities for up to two years. During that time, communities build a network of volunteers and partners, find common ground and shared goals, and create an action plan to be incorporated into future decisions.

"As rural cities and towns seek new ways to enrich their communities, it is crucial for residents to unite in prioritizing what they value," says Shelly O'Quinn, CEO of Innovia Foundation. "We look forward to collaborating with each of the seven communities as we work to build vibrant and sustainable communities through the Community Heart & Soul process."

Outcomes, such as increased participation in community decision-making, increased volunteerism, greater investment in community-supported programs and increased economic development, have been achieved in towns involved in the Community Heart & Soul program across the United States.

Innovia Foundation is a community foundation for eastern Washington and North Idaho, and partners with citizens who want to improve their communities and make the world better. Innovia works with community members to identify and respond to the region's greatest opportunities, help those in need, and leave a lasting impact. Innovia's mission is to ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities and it envisions vibrant and sustainable communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive. Each year, Innovia Foundation invests $10 million into local communities through grants and scholarships.

Community Heart & Soul is a nonprofit organization which has a goal to build stronger, healthier and more economically vibrant small cities and towns across the United States. In addition to promoting the Community Heart & Soul model, the organization trains and supports a nationwide network of Certified Community Heart & Soul Coaches who provide training and guidance to over 120 local communities. The organization is currently offering $10,000 Seed Grants to qualifying small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul process.