PHOTO PROVIDED Elizabeth Arnold, founder of Abundance Creative & Consulting, presents a Strategic Action Plan to the board of directors of the Clinton County Community Foundation at a recent meeting at the Ross Library in Lock Haven.

LOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County Community Foundation (CCCF) has officially approved its first five-year strategic plan, setting a bold, community-informed direction that will guide the Foundation’s work through 2030.

The plan’s adoption on Dec. 9, 2025, marks the culmination of a year of intentional listening, facilitated discussions and collaborative planning with community and nonprofit leaders, stakeholders and the CCCF Board of Directors.

The strategic plan was developed in partnership with Abundance Creative & Consulting, led by Elizabeth Arnold, through a process that emphasized meaningful engagement, transparency and alignment with the community’s needs. The planning phase included more than two dozen interviews, board workshops and a comprehensive needs assessment, all aimed to ensure the foundation’s long-term strategy reflects the diverse voices and perspectives of Clinton County.

“This plan is a roadmap for the Foundation’s future, built on what our community shared with us,” said Mark Weaver, president of the CCCF Board of Directors. “It captures the hopes, concerns and priorities of our neighbors and partners. We are proud of the thoughtful, collaborative process that brought us here, and we are excited about the work ahead.”

Through its partnership with Abundance Creative & Consulting, CCCF intentionally designed a process rooted in care, collaboration and meaningful investment in the community. The strategic planning work included:

— Extensive interviews with nonprofit leaders, educators, community advocates, donors and long-standing partners.

— In-depth conversations with current and former board members.

— A community needs assessment, identifying key priorities such as childcare, workforce and economic development, mental health, youth opportunities, housing, language access and community visibility.

— Board working sessions to discuss and analyze community themes and draft responsive strategic priorities.

“This plan is the result of a board that cares deeply about Clinton County and is committed to investing in a process that matches the significance of its mission,” said Arnold. “Their dedication to doing this work the right way has shaped a plan that is both aspirational and grounded in the realities of our community.”

The newly approved plan outlines three core strategic goals and priorities that will guide CCCF’s work from 2026-2030. Together, they create a clear and focused framework for strengthening the Foundation’s role in the community:

Growth & Philanthropy

CCCF will expand and diversify its donor base, strengthen philanthropic partnerships and increase the foundation’s overall capacity to invest in meaningful community impact. This includes donor education, enhanced fundraising strategies and the cultivation of opportunities that support both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.

Awareness & Engagement

The foundation will increase its visibility across Clinton County by sharing stories of impact, strengthening community outreach and building greater awareness of its mission and opportunities for involvement. This goal emphasizes transparency, communication and deeper connections with residents, nonprofits and civic partners.

Collaboration & Leadership

CCCF will play an increasingly active role in bringing people and organizations together to address the county’s most pressing challenges. Through partnership-building, convening and responsive grantmaking, the Foundation aims to serve as a trusted leader and collaborator, helping to advance shared community priorities.

“These priorities give us a blueprint for the next era of the Foundation,” said Bob Rolley, who initiated and guided development of the Strategic Action Plan as foundation community outreach coordinator. “The community asked us to be more visible, more collaborative and more ambitious. This plan positions us to do exactly that.”

With the plan now approved, CCCF will shift into an implementation phase that includes:

— Increasing visibility, presence, communication and outreach efforts.

— Developing annual action plans and measurable benchmarks.

— Enhancing internal capacity to support long-term growth.

— Expanding partnerships across sectors.

— Supporting donor education and philanthropic initiatives.

The Board emphasized that implementation will be an iterative, adaptive process–one that keeps community needs at the center.

“This plan sets our direction, but it will be our actions that define our impact,” Weaver added. “We look forward to working with donors, nonprofits and partners across Clinton County to bring this plan to life.

The Clinton County Community Foundation is dedicated to strengthening Clinton County through strategic grantmaking, donor engagement and community leadership.

For more than 55 years, CCCF has partnered with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits to create and grow charitable gifts that work to enrich the region’s most promising opportunities and address its most pressing needs.

For more information, visit www.clintoncountyfoundation.org.