Community Builders Network

Community Builder Elizabeth Kirby and her daughter make signs of appreciation for wildland firefighters.

We are Community Builders and we encourage others to be Community Builders too! The Ford Family Foundation defines a Community Builder as "someone who cares about his or her community and takes action to make it better."

Citizens4Community brings community builders together for an opportunity to collaborate more broadly to build a strong, welcoming, and resilient community for all who live and work in Sisters Country. Community Building is the heart of C4C's work and we invite others to join us as we seek to understand and address the emerging issues and needs in Sisters Country.

Our growing group of dynamic individuals and organizations meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10-11:30 AM. Our host venue changes each month; check our Events page for upcoming locations.

Do you live, work and/or volunteer in Sisters Country and want to build more connections with other community collaborators? Send an email to director@citizens4community.com and request to be added to the Community Builders Network contact list.

Sisters Country Vision

WHAT IS THE SISTERS COUNTRY VISION? In 2018, the Vision project engaged the people of Sisters Country in a lively conversation about the future of this place we call home. We conducted more than 80 interviews, hosted 13 community meetings across the region, fielded two online community surveys, held four community forums on topics of vital importance to our future, and more. Learn about one of these outreach projects—the amazing Sisters Country Visioning Quilt.

With 20 strategies prioritized by the community and a series of action steps developed by the Vision Action Team, our community’s vision is now underway! But the Vision isn’t meant to be a static set of goals—it’s meant to continue developing over time as new community priorities emerge. In 2021, C4C became co-facilitators of the Sisters Country Vision. Utilizing our Community Builders Network (see above), we introduce new grassroot projects and volunteers into the Vision process.

Learn more about the Sisters Vision: sisterscommunity.org/sisters-country-vision

Momentum Grants

Each year, C4C commits funding toward community-led actions aligned with the Sisters Country Vision. The program supports grassroots efforts to make our community more Prosperous, Livable, Resilient, and Connected. We are particularly interested in projects that:

  • Are early-stage but show potential for bigger, longer-term impact

  • Incorporate new voices into community building work

  • Demonstrate collaboration with fellow community builders

In 2023, we issued $6,000 in small grants to local organizations and individuals. This year we’re giving away $7,000 (maximum $1,250 per applicant)! Applications open March 1st and close March 31.

A thank you note from a 2023 grant recipient at Wellhouse Academy.

Let’s Learn! Workshops

In late 2021, C4C surveyed their community building partners for what free and low-cost workshops we could offer that would help build skills and instill important information that will help us all serve Sisters Country better.

We offered our first Let’s Learn! event virtually in November 2021 on the topic “The Science of Being Happy and Productive at Work (and in Life).” Ninety-nine participants joined us for 90 minutes of informative content provided by Scott Crabtree of Happy Brain Science.

From our survey, other top choices for upcoming workshops include:

  • DEI Best Practices

  • Fundamentals of a Non-Profit Board

  • Basic Mediation and Conflict Resolution

  • Civic Leadership Academy

  • Truly Tapping Your Strengths and Those of Your Team

  • Collaboration Through Candid Conversations

Are you interested in joining us? The best way to be informed about these and other C4C education opportunities is to sign up for our monthly newsletter.