Public dialogue and involvement, collaboration, leadership development and attention to the next generation are proven building blocks for success. Resources that will help you improve your community building efforts.

The Cherokee Preservation Foundation’s mission is to:

• Help protect, preserve and enhance the natural resources and aesthetic appearance of Cherokee tribal lands in North Carolina against anticipated long-term degradation from increased traffic and growth in connection with gaming activities.
  
  
• Assist in economic development of the Cherokee community and the seven westernmost counties in North Carolina in which the EBCI’s tribal lands are located (Haywood, Jackson, Swain, Macon, Clay, Graham and Cherokee) through improved public services, recreation and entertainment capabilities, and community economic development.
  
  
• Foster employment opportunities on or near Cherokee tribal lands.
  
  
• Provide funding for the preservation, research, restoration, and/or development of the history, tradition, culture, language, arts, crafts, heritage and overall well-being of the Cherokee people.
  
  

It has been well documented over time that successful community building takes place only when citizens pay attention to four critical building blocks: public dialogue and involvement, collaborative partnerships, extension of the leadership pool, and focus on the next generation. Accordingly, grant proposals for projects, plans and other endeavors that demonstrate the applicant organization will effectively incorporate these fundamentals into its work will be valued most highly by the Foundation and give the applicant organization its best opportunity of receiving Foundation support.
Click here for more information about these vital community building blocks.

For ideas about how to make these building blocks a reality in your community building efforts, visit the Community Building Resources portion of this Web site.