Listen in as Alex talks with his predecessor, former President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Patty Grant. Patty retired in March of 2025, leaving a legacy of servant leadership, humility, innovation, and a deep commitment to Wabash County and the Community Foundation. Under Patty's leadership, the Community Foundation grew from around $30M in assets to over $100M in just over a decade.
In this episode, we dive deep into the work of the Community Foundation and one of the most critical, systemic challenges that rural communities face: low educational attainment rates and their implications on population, individual prosperity, and business attraction. We highlight the Imagine Early program, an innovative early awards scholarship program studied across the country, which awards scholarships in the 4th-8th grades to Wabash County students. Unlike most programs, Imagine Early awards behaviors, not grades, shifting the mindset of both children and families about post-secondary education and asset building.
Buckle in to this heartfelt conversation with one of Wabash County's most influential leaders as we discuss some of the most important challenges and opportunities for Wabash County's future.
To learn more about the Community Foundation of Wabash County or the Imagine Early Program, visit either of the links below:
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A special thank you to our supporters: The City of Wabash, Lisa Gilman Investment Fund, Sandra Kunkel Trust, Mark & Amy Ford, PaperWorks Industries, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, and Visit Wabash County for making this podcast possible. This podcast is produced in partnership with Destination Wabash County.
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