Five Hometowns Pilot Thriving Communities Reboot

After a pause since 2017, the Initiative Foundation is relaunching Thriving Communities, a proven program that helps small towns bring people together to imagine and build local projects and vibrant, resilient futures.

Braham, Motley, Sebeka, Staples and Taylors Falls are the first Central Minnesota communities to participate in this renewed effort. Designed for towns with populations of 5,000 or fewer, the Initiative Foundation’s Thriving Communities program guides residents through a team-based process to identify community assets, assess local needs and prioritize opportunities for growth.

Here’s what each participating community is focusing on in the early stages of the program:

• Braham: Expand team to engage the community, share the vision and present plans at an upcoming City Council meeting.
• Motley: Host first community gathering to foster open conversation and build stronger neighborhood connections.
• Sebeka: Launch new engagement approach to encourage resident involvement and share revitalization ideas.
• Staples: Develop winter holiday festival to boost community pride, strengthen connections and attract visitors.
• Taylors Falls: Expand rustic trails, create gathering spaces and improve branding through outreach efforts.

“The heartbeat of Central Minnesota is in our small towns,” said Amy Trombley, Initiative Foundation vice president for community. “These community teams are stepping forward with energy and vision, and we couldn’t be more excited to cheer them on as they shape plans that reflect their local strengths and aspirations.”

Thriving Communities is part of a growing effort by the Foundation to invest and bring local people together to address challenges and opportunities in their communities. It’s rooted in the Foundation’s mission to build thriving economies, vibrant communities and a lasting culture of generosity. By supporting locally driven solutions, the program helps ensure that every community has the tools and connections it needs to thrive.

Over the coming months, teams from each participating community will engage in listening sessions, visioning workshops and action planning. The goal: build a shared roadmap that leverages community strengths while addressing local challenges—from economic vitality to quality of life.

“Thriving Communities is about more than planning,” Trombley added. “It’s about building connections, nurturing local leadership and creating momentum that lasts for generations.”

See the TCI page for more information.