COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

Community Foundation

of Pulaski County

About the Client

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that connects donors, distributes grants, and fosters local leadership to enhance the quality of life in Pulaski County. With a deep commitment to community-driven impact, the Foundation plays a vital role in supporting progress, partnerships, and long-term growth across the region.

Leadership. Broadband. Housing. Community growth sparked by focused listening with Project Matters at the table.

The Project

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County set out to better understand the hopes, concerns, and priorities of their community so their investments could be even more meaningful. Project Matters led a series of thoughtfully facilitated, focused listening sessions, uncovering key local needs, gaps, and opportunities.

Through deep, trust-based community engagement, shared priorities emerged and momentum grew around a collective vision for the future. Working alongside local partners, the effort sparked several community “firsts” in both community and economic development.

Project Matters Approach:

  • Community Listening Sessions

  • Community Action Analysis

  • Planning and Prioritization

  • Program Development

Result  

The work led to the development of two major initiatives: “Forward Thinking Leadership” and “Aspirations in Action.” These efforts sparked multiple community training programs and economic development projects, including nonprofit leadership development, elected official training, and a countywide leadership initiative designed to build capacity at every level.

Through strategic collaboration with economic development partners, the county saw tangible results: broadband access expanded by 50% across Pulaski County, and new housing development was launched to support future growth..

50%

broadband access expanded across Pulaski County

“Amy helped coordinate and guide the community engagement process, bringing people together in ways that hadn’t been done before in Pulaski County. Her collaborative, approachable style made it easy to work with her, and she helped others see a clearer vision for the future. If your community needs insights from stakeholders and guidance through the next steps, I strongly recommend Project Matters. They are the best at what they do.”

Wendy Rose
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Pulaski County