Grant creates virtual public square for local organizations

Jan 25, 2010 - The Community Foundation of North Florida, in partnership with The Village Square, recently received a $72,000 challenge grant to revitalize the dialogue among the city’s diverse residents around community issues.

The project entitled "We the People" will create a 21st Century virtual and face-to-face public square, offering unique town hall forums that will encourage people with varying opinions to come together and talk it out.

The Community Foundation of North Florida is one of 24 community and place-based foundations recently selected to receive a grant in this highly competitive national grant contest.

The challenge is a five-year, $24 million initiative to help community and place-based foundations find creative ways to use new media and technology to keep residents informed and engaged.

“Access to information is essential for the quality of life in our community and for providing resources to help increase access for all citizens,” said Joy Watkins, President of the Community Foundation of North Florida.

“Information is as important to a thriving democracy as clean air, jobs and schools. As leaders, local foundations are taking the initiative to meet those information needs,” said Trabian Shorters, Knight Foundation’s vice president for communities, who leads the challenge.

To compliment these face-to-face forums, the project will have an online component: A Wiki-based online problem-solving tool, where neighbors can collaborate to assemble relevant facts and resources for addressing local, state and national issues. “We hope to create an online community that defies the trend toward angry like-minded groups; where people will treat each other with the same respect as they do when they see neighbors at the grocery store or at their mailbox,” said Liz Joyner, Executive Director of the Village Square.

To learn more about the project or to get involved with The Village Square, head over to www.tothevillagesquare.org.