2017 Highlight Report

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Sheila Ramsey
5 years ago
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1 2017 Highlight Report

2 WE RE IN IT FOR GOOD. At the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, we know big ideas spring from small conversations and people invest in what they help create. When we come together as a community to listen to and learn from each other, we have the power to impact both neighborhoods and lives. On November 7, 2017, more than 6,500 individuals around the Chattahoochee Valley came together to do just that. As part of On the Table, they gathered in eight-to-12-person groups both friends and strangers to share food and drink, discussing our quality of life and what each of us can do to make it even better. And through next-step survey responses from nearly 1,200 of those participants, we ll all get a deeper understanding of the issues most important to our community. Our reasons for initiating On the Table were simple: the Community Foundation exists to enable and promote philanthropy that inspires, facilitates and fosters a vibrant and engaged Chattahoochee Valley. At CFCV, our work is to become the premier center for thoughtful philanthropy for people who want to make their Chattahoochee Valley communities better, both during and after their lifetimes. We believe in the power of conversation to clarify, energize, and organize people to do things for good. It may help you to know more about us. We began operations nearly 20 years ago, and our assets now total more than $170 million, a testament to the generosity of our community and the opportunity people see to make a difference through the economy of scale we provide. Our operating costs are themselves endowed through a $2 million Founder s Society Fund, enabling us to focus on strengthening the community. Our board is a cross-section of the community s leaders, and our staff members are local advocates who are honored to help make a difference. Since our inception, it has been our privilege to make grants totaling over $148 million and to add, via investment returns, a net $50 million in philanthropic value back to the community a testament to the power of pooled endowed funds. Based on the feedback we ve received, On the Table was a fantastic experience for our community. We re pleased to share the result highlights from that day based on responses to the survey. To download the full 2017 Impact Report, go to OnTheTableChatt.com. On the Table conversations are all about encouraging Chattahoochee Valley residents to think about the issues they care about, while adding a diversity of voices to the discussion about who we are, where we are going and what we can do to get there. It s about discovering how each of us can join the thousands of people making the Chattahoochee Valley a better place to live for all of us. 2

3 THE PEOPLE On the Table engaged participants from all walks of life representing diverse ages, races, interests, levels of civic engagement and more.* more than more than 600 6,500 conversations participants Following On the Table, 1,182 participants responded to the survey. Gender 71% Female 29% Male 0.3% Other Age 12% % % % % 60 & up Race 60% White 32% African American 4% Multiracial 2% Hispanic or Latino/a 2% Other 0.5% Asian 0.4% American Indian/ Alaska Native 0.1% Native Hawaiian/ Other Pacific Islander Education 42% Graduate Degree 33% Bachelor s Degree 13% Some College 8% Associate/ Vocational Degree 3% High School Diploma or GED 1% Less than High School Where Respondents Live 15% 15% 14% 14% 10% 8% 3% 3% 2% 1% *This data only represents the people who participated in On the Table and completed the post-conversation survey. It is not reflective of all On the Table participants. On the Table Highlight Report OnTheTableChatt.com #ChattChat 3

4 THE CONVERSATIONS On the Table 2017 conversations highlighted issues community members across the Chattahoochee Valley care about. These are the seven issues most frequently raised by On the Table respondents. Public Safety and Judicial System 31% Health 12% Education and Youth Development 31% Transportation 11% Economic Issues and Poverty 24% Media and Awareness 10% Equity and Social Inclusion 23% Why did respondents join the conversation? To discuss and address important issues in my community 72% To learn from and listen to others 58% To get more involved in my community To meet and build relationships with new people 42% 40% The Youth Voice* Youth respondents mentioned a variety of issues affecting their communities. The top issue brought up by youth respondents was with regard to violence, crime, and safety. Two other prominent topics were related to homelessness and health. Other issue areas raised by youth respondents included education and schools, littering and pollution, food insecurity, bullying, economic issues, transportation and infrastructure, and equity and unity. *Youth completed a post-conversation reflection activity called Head, Heart, and Feet. 4

5 THE CIVIC ATTITUDES AND ACTIVITIES of respondents are somewhat to very optimistic about the future of our community over the next 10 years. 92% 89% of respondents feel somewhat to very attached to their local community. Respondents are most happy about their: Respondents are most unhappy about their: Neighborhood 56% Public Safety 56% House/Apartment 55% Job Opportunities 44% Recreational Opportunities 52% Local Government 38% City or Town 50% Public Transportation 34% 68% it of respondents have a fair amount to a great deal of trust and confidence in local leadership in the area where they live when comes to handling local problems. A Highly Engaged and Self-Motivated Group 74% of respondents are somewhat to very involved in community and neighborhood activities. 82% of respondents donated more than $25 to a charitable organization in the past year. 70% of respondents always vote in local elections. On the Table Highlight Report OnTheTableChatt.com #ChattChat 5

6 THE OPPORTUNITY On the Table attracts some of the most civically engaged people in our area and inspires them to take action. 89% 88% of respondents say they better understand how they can help address community issues as a result of their On the Table conversations. of respondents believe they can have a moderate to big impact on making our community a better place to live. 89 percent of respondents are somewhat to very likely to take specific actions or next steps regarding an issue or solution discussed. Specifically, respondents said they plan to: Build Relationships and Collaborate Raise Awareness and Educate Others Get More Involved in Community 59% 73% 67% Volunteer 52% The Youth Voice* In addition to discussing issues, youth respondents brainstormed a variety of ideas for their communities and actions they could take inspired by their conversations. The top four ideas for action generated by youth respondents were: support education and schools. build up and improve community. speak up and take a stand. come together and organize. Other ideas for action less frequently mentioned but still important include: understand others and unify; create programs, recycle and care for the environment; donate; offer more activities and events; volunteer; develop one s character; share information and raise awareness; and communicate better. *Youth completed a post-conversation reflection activity called Head, Heart, and Feet. 6

7 THE CONNECTIONS Connecting with each other is part of the On the Table experience. Each day we connect with others in various ways and to the world around us through a variety of news sources. Where respondents like to connect with each other: Religious Institutions 65% Schools 43% Parks Public Squares Library Other* 29% 26% 26% 26% Shopping Centers Community Rec Center 19% 19% Community Garden 9% *The top 3 other responses are: Community Events and Meetings (5.5%), Restaurants (4.3%), and Work (3.5%). 71% not of respondents reported connecting with others at their conversation by speaking with one or more attendees they did already know before and/or after the conversation. When getting information about their local community, whether online or offline, the following were the most frequently used sources. Local Newspaper 33% Every day 20% Several times 14% Several times 19% Less often 14% Never Local TV News 37% Every day 22% Several times 13% Several times 19% Less often 9% Never Local Radio 26% Every day 22% Several times 12% Several times 22% Less often 17% Never Social Networking Site 28% Every day 27% Several times 19% Several times 12% Less often 14% Never Word of mouth 33% Every day 36% Several times 20% Several times 10% Less often 0.8% Never On the Table Highlight Report OnTheTableChatt.com #ChattChat 7

8 WHAT S NEXT? The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has invited CFCV to continue the work of On the Table, and the CFCV board has committed to at least two more years of bringing people together through this exciting initiative. Stay connected with us for the latest! OnTheTableChatt.com cfcv.com

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Hos t T oolkit 20 18 Host Toolkit 2018 YOUR VOICE MATTERS. 2 Blue Grass Community Foundation is celebrating its golden anniversary 50 years of inspiring generosity. The Community Foundation was created from the passion of