Chasing the Money or Funding a Vision

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Chasing the Moneyor Funding a Vision?

• Prepared by
• Will Andresen, Community Resource Development
  Educator
• Iron County UW-Extension
• 2007

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• One way to illustrate the difference between
  chasing the money and funding a vision is to
  use a building as a metaphor for the community
  development process.

3

• The buildings foundation represents the
  foundation of community development concepts.
• Without the foundation, there is nothing to build
  upon.

4

• The building structure (its posts, beams, walls
  and roof) represents the structure of the
  community what supports it, how big it is, what
  it is made of.

5

• Windows and doors represent the vision of the
  community What does it see, what are its
  values, where does it want to go?

6

• The finishing touches of paint colors, siding and
  window dressings are the final step, representing
  plans, strategies and action.
• This is what people notice but cannot exist
  without a foundation, structure and vision.

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• Using this metaphor, the difference between
  chasing the money and funding a vision
  becomes clear.

8

• When you fund a vision you understand the
  foundation, structure and vision of the community
  so you can create and enjoy a memorable finished
  product.

9

• When you chase the money, you lack an
  understanding and appreciation of these concepts
  and you have little vision.

10

• In the end, you get stuck with an artificial
  layer that doesnt fit the community.

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• The following table illustrates key differences
  between Chasing the Money and Funding a
  Vision.

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• Funding a vision creates a finish that
  understands, fits and accents the community.

13

• Funding a vision creates a finish that
  understands, fits and accents the community.
• Chasing the money doesnt.

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Change agents are motivated to enhance their
community.
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Change agents are motivated to enhance their
community.
Grant chasers arent.
16

• Grant chasers create projects that dont relate
  to the community.

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• Or dont relate to each other.

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• Change agents work to coordinate quality projects
  . . .

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• with other quality projects . . .

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• to create a synergy that transforms communities
  in natural and meaningful ways.