Community Heart & Soul program pitched to North Brookfield; foundation offers $10,000 activation grant

Consultants and foundation representatives described the Community Heart & Soul program to the select board on Jan. 13 and asked the board to consider a letter of support.

Catherine Abraham White (who asked to be called Kat), identified herself as a Community Heart & Soul coach and described the program as a two‑year, four‑phase resident‑driven process aimed at gathering community stories, developing 'heart and soul' statements, and creating an action plan. She said the Greater Worcester Community Foundation would pay for coaching and the program provides a $10,000 activation grant to a fiscal sponsor to support community engagement activities.

A foundation representative said the foundation seeks to invest in small towns and that the grant is intended to activate resident participation rather than replace town planning. Board members asked about cost and oversight; presenters said the grant would be awarded to a nonprofit fiscal sponsor (the school was discussed as a candidate) and would not touch town funds or require town accounting oversight. Several residents voiced support while a few asked that select board and town staff review the initiative more closely to ensure alignment with local priorities.

The presenters asked the select board to ask the town administrator to send a letter acknowledging the resident‑driven work and supporting the effort. Board members emphasized the program is community‑led and that the town's role would be supportive rather than managerial.