Mission
FOUNDED AS A TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IN 1993, INCOURAGE EVOLVED INTO AN ENTREPRENEURIAL NONPROFIT, DEDICATED TO AND LED BY THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL WISCONSIN. IN THE MORE THAN THREE DECADES SINCE, INCOURAGE HAS ADAPTED ITS WORK TO MEET THE CHANGING AND COMPLEX NEEDS OF A RURAL REGION RECOVERING FROM SIGNIFICANT DISINVESTMENT. INCOURAGE PLAYS MANY ROLES IN COMMUNITY BUILDING: STEWARD, ADVOCATE, CONVENER, MODERATOR, TRAINER, RESEARCHER, GRANT-MAKER, INVESTOR, AND FUNDRAISER. INCOURAGE OPERATES FROM A CENTRAL BELIEF THAT PEOPLE ARE ITS MOST IMPORTANT ASSET, AND THAT POSITIVE COMMUNITY CHANGE HAPPENS WHEN SYSTEMATIC BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT ARE ELIMINATED, SO THAT EVERY PERSON, AND THE COMMUNITY, CAN REALIZE THE POWER OF THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. THIS INCLUDES THE BELIEF THAT RESIDENTS WHO FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING, OWNERSHIP, SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, AND SHARED DESTINY BY VIRTUE OF A SHARED PLACE, ARE ESSENTIAL IN SHAPING HEALTHY, SUSTAINABLE, AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH