Initiative expands access to proven resident-driven approach, with Leicester and North Brookfield among first participating communities
Greater Worcester Community Foundation and Community Heart & Soul® have announced a new partnership to help strengthen smaller towns across Worcester County by expanding access to a proven, resident-driven approach to community engagement.
Community Heart & Soul engages the entire population of a town in identifying what they love most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it. Designed for small cities and towns with populations up to 30,000, the process helps communities listen at scale, build trust, and translate residents’ stories into shared priorities that help guide decisions over time.
Greater Worcester Community Foundation identified Community Heart & Soul as a strong fit for its commitment to supporting local leadership, strengthening civic life, and helping communities respond to challenges and opportunities with clarity and unity.
Combining Community Heart & Soul’s resident-driven approach with Greater Worcester Community Foundation’s local relationships, expertise, and resources, the partnership aims to leave a lasting impact on towns across Worcester County by helping residents and local leaders come together around what matters most.
"We believe the strongest communities are shaped by the voices of the people who live there. We want to be intentional about bringing value to every town and city in Worcester County, and this partnership reflects our commitment to resident-led change and to supporting smaller towns as they listen, engage, and build a shared vision for their future.”
- Pete Dunn, President & CEO of Greater Worcester Community Foundation
The first two Worcester County towns participating in Community Heart & Soul through this partnership are Leicester and North Brookfield, with Greater Worcester Community Foundation also providing funding for existing Community Heart & Soul town, Winchendon. Over the next year, the Foundation hopes to engage at least two additional small towns in this initiative.
“We’re excited to partner with Greater Worcester Community Foundation to support community engagement in central Massachusetts. When residents take the time to listen deeply and act on what matters most, they build a strong foundation for the future.”
- Mark Sherman, President of Community Heart & Soul
About Community Heart & Soul
Community Heart & Soul, a nonprofit organization, builds 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 coaches who provide training and guidance to over 130 communities.
About Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Greater Worcester Community Foundation is central Massachusetts’ leading community foundation, employing its expertise and resources to address the region’s most urgent needs. For the past 50 years, it has worked in partnership with donors to build a $270 million endowment composed of more than 650 named charitable funds and award over $186 million in grants that have helped transform communities and build a strong and vibrant region. For more information on the Foundation’s programs and how to give, please visit www.greaterworcester.org
