Community Development has continued building relationships with organizations throughout Fond du Lac County to better understand community needs and identify opportunities for collaboration. Recent conversations with Holy Land Food Pantry explored ways to reach residents who face barriers to accessing food assistance, particularly homebound individuals and those with limited transportation, as well as to provide educational programming. Work has also begun with Salute the Troops to learn more about its veteran support and entrepreneurship programs, discussing opportunities to strengthen fundraising, expand community partnerships, and connect veterans with new skills and resources. In addition, there have been regional housing discussions focused on affordability, housing availability, and planning for a proposed 2027 housing summit that brings local community partners together to explore practical solutions.
Another important area of work has been the nonprofit organizational survey, developed in partnership with Sophia Partners and the Fond du Lac Area Foundation. The survey was designed to better understand the challenges, strengths, and support needs of smaller nonprofits throughout the county. The partners are now reviewing and analyzing the responses to help guide the development of a collaborative nonprofit network. Rather than assuming what organizations need, this approach allows the network to be shaped by the experiences and priorities of the nonprofits themselves. The goal with this work is to strengthen connections between organizations and encourage resource sharing, reduce duplication of efforts, and help organizations build the capacity to better serve their communities.
Additionally, be sure to explore our upcoming winter nonprofit webinars. If you are unable to attend or have other training or educational needs, please contact our Community Development Educator to discuss opportunities for bringing customized programming to your organization.