For a startup community foundation, serving the needs of a single county can be a challenge. The Community Foundation of South Jersey is finding ways to work with eight counties, encompassing both impoverished rural regions and wealthy suburbs.
The foundation, now in its second year of operations, is finding that its best strategy is to listen and be flexible.
Sidney Hargro, the foundation's chief executive, says his organization places little emphasis on traditional analyses of community trends and instead reaches out directly to residents and potential donors to set priorities.
"The entire first year of our work, when we opened the door, we said, 'This is our year of listening.' It doesn't cost you anything to listen," says Mr. Hargro.
You can also hear a longer version of the entire interview.
Hildy Gottlieb is the co-founder of Creating the Future and author of "The Pollyanna Principles: Reinventing 'Nonprofit Organizations' to Create the Future of Our World." In this podcast, Making Change, she interviews leaders to discuss how those who are working for the greater good can effect more social change. New episodes of Making Change appear on the second Thursday of every month.
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