Community Possibilities

The Wisdom and Uniqueness of Rural Communities: Meet Crystal Atson of the Ford Family Foundation

February 08, 2023 Ann Price Episode 39
Community Possibilities
The Wisdom and Uniqueness of Rural Communities: Meet Crystal Atson of the Ford Family Foundation
Show Notes

In this episode of Community Possibilities, Crystal Atson joins me to talk about her work with The Ford Family Foundation and their work in rural communities. We talk about:

  • We dig into why they work in rural communities and what that looks like.
  • How they developed their Community Building Approach and the way it guides their work. 
  • The four principles that guide the work of the Foundation.
  • Crystal's take on the power dynamics between funders and grantees. 
  • How they recognize and deal with those power dynamics while working in communities.
  • How nonprofits can connect with funders. 

Crystal's Bio
Prior to joining the Foundation in June 2016, Crystal Aston worked at the nonprofit Great Northern Services in Weed, Calif., for 11 years, most recently as the community services manager. She was instrumental in growing the community food program and played key roles in providing assistance to the survivors of the Boles Fire of 2014.

Crystal has extensive experience in obtaining grant funding from federal and private sources. Her work included maintaining relationships with local governments to make sure services were not duplicated; she analyzed proposed legislation and regulations to determine how agency services could be impacted.

As a field coordinator for The Ford Family Foundation, she works to build trusting relationships with community stakeholders to support long-term, sustainable action. She helps connect communities to resources from the Foundation and other sources.  

Crystal has a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from California State University Chico.

Learn more about the Foundation: tff.org
Contact Crystal: caston@tfff.org

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Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions

How Ann  can help:

  • Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.
  • Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.
  • Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.
  • Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.
  • Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.
  • Speak at your conference or event.

Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .

Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us

Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!

Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions

How Ann can help:

· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.

· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.

· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.

· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.

· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.

· Speak at your conference or event.

Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .

Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.

Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price
Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com