Creating Community Consulting

08/24/2026

DREAMM Coalition and Partnership Building: No single organization can do it alone, and that’s a good thing
Building Block 3 of 4

Some of the biggest wins for a community happen when the right people and organizations link arms: nonprofits, local government, schools, businesses, and community members, all pulling in the same direction. CCC specializes in building those bridges and helping coalitions work well together long after the first handshake. Because when we grow together, we grow stronger.

Have a partnership you're trying to build or strengthen? Let's talk about it. https://creatingcommunityconsulting.com/

08/23/2026

Seeing community come alive when people come together to create the places they want to live, work and play in is magical.

The sense of wonder, the “why not us!” attitude, the scrappy nature of finding unique strengths of people, organizations and spaces and building on them…and helping connect people to the vision so they can invest locally. It’s the secret sauce that makes it all come alive.

We love this work and are so grateful to have served FCDC in developing Wannigan Regional Park in what it is today, with much more to come in the next year (as big things are happening 😁), and much more is just over the horizon.

We are grateful to be part of their transformation story!

If you haven’t been to Wannigan to visit the covered bridge or whisper to Jacob Everear, as it to your “to do” list. You won’t be sorry!

Looking to be the next “transformation story”? Book a free call with us! We only have room for one more project this next year (until 2028!).

Let us help you be the next celebration story. 🙌❤️

A Danish artist and a Becker County farmer never met, but their work is key to Frazee’s revival.

08/18/2026

Community isn’t something we build from behind a desk.
Sometimes, it looks like sitting across from a 10-year-old at the county fair and discovering something that could change his life. ❤️

Last week, Karen, co-owner and consultant at Creating Community Consulting, volunteered as a new member of the Bemidji Lions Club, helping provide free hearing and vision screenings at the Beltrami County Fair. One little boy came through for what probably felt like a pretty ordinary screening. It wasn’t. The screening indicated that he wasn't able to hear anything in one ear.
Because the Lions were there, because someone volunteered, and because his family stopped at that booth, Karen was able to help support a referral for follow-up care. And THAT is community development.

At Creating Community Consulting, we spend a lot of time talking about systems, strategies, funding, partnerships and community transformation. But underneath every strategic plan, grant, capital campaign and community initiative are people.
Community is noticing. Community is showing up. Community is using whatever time, talent, connections or resources we have to make life a little better for the person standing in front of us. We don’t just want to consult in communities.
We want to belong to them. Invest in them. Serve them. And help them become places where people take care of one another. Because sometimes changing a community happens through a multimillion-dollar project. And sometimes it happens at a little screening booth at the county fair. ❤️

That’s why community matters. And that’s why we do this work.

08/17/2026

DREAMM Strategic Planning: A great vision needs a great map
Building Block 2 of 4

We help communities turn "wouldn't it be nice if..." into a plan with real steps, real timelines, and real accountability. Strategic planning isn't about paperwork; it's about making sure today's good ideas become tomorrow's results. If your community, nonprofit, or coalition has big goals but isn't sure how to get there, that's exactly where CCC comes in.

Ready to build your roadmap? Reach out. https://creatingcommunityconsulting.com/

08/13/2026

Say hi to Kelsey!

Kelsey's a social work student at Bemidji State University interning with Creating Community Consulting this semester. She's been diving into our Family Resource Center project, helping with community needs research, and learning how local organizations can team up to better support families.

Her favorite takeaway so far? Social work isn't just about helping one person through a hard time. It's about looking at the whole community, spotting gaps in resources, and working together to build something stronger.

We're so glad to have Kelsey on the team and can't wait to see where her career takes her!

08/10/2026

DREAMM Community Engagement Facilitation: Growth starts with listening
Building Block 1 of 4

Before we build a plan, we build a room where everyone gets a seat at the table. Community members, business owners, local leaders, and the people who show up every day but rarely get asked. That's what community engagement facilitation is all about: creating real conversations that turn into real change. Every strong community initiative CCC has supported started the same way. With people talking, and someone listening.

Want help bringing your community's voices into the room? Let's talk. https://creatingcommunityconsulting.com/

08/04/2026

Every thriving community starts with people who care.
Behind every successful project, new park, community event, or neighborhood initiative are people willing to ask, "How can we make this even better?"

At Creating Community Consulting, we're honored to work alongside local leaders, volunteers, nonprofits, businesses, and public organizations across Minnesota as they turn ideas into action. Every project reminds us that meaningful change doesn't happen overnight, it happens one conversation, one partnership, and one step at a time.

This month we're celebrating the community of Frazee, MN that is choosing collaboration over competition and possibility over obstacles.

Check out Wannigan Regional Park, CornerStone Community, Youth and Family Resource Center, and the Frazee Area Pickleball Courts.

These are 3 great examples of current successful community collaborations happening now!!

08/03/2026

Deadline is August 6th!!
Do you or someone you know have a project, program, or initiative that's building stronger connections, creating a greater sense of belonging, or strengthening trust within your community?
Don't let this opportunity pass by. Submit your application or nominate an inspiring individual or organization today, and help celebrate the people making our communities stronger one connection at a time.

Introducing the West Central Minnesota Weaver Awards West Central Initiative is partnering with the Aspen Institute's Weave: The Social Fabric Project to recognize 20 individuals and groups in west central Minnesota and White Earth Nation who are building trust, belonging, and connection.The Weaver....

07/25/2026

Communities grow when people work together and partner, and a Midwestern Salad Luncheon with that Midwestern Mom starring Youth during Turkey Days is a great way to do it! We’ve loved supporting the youth and community in developing the Pickleball courts in Frazee and they are close to their fundraising goal. Help fill the gap and mix up a Minnesota Salad!

Hey there, do you have a favorite salad you always make for your pot lucks? We would love it if you can donate one for our Salad Luncheon this Saturday!

Bonus That Midwestern Mom will be there trying all the salads blindfolded 😜 and she is looking for some youth to feed her!!! Check out the video below and be ready to fling some salads :)

Sign up here to bring a salad and/or to volunteer!

https://forms.gle/fpbghRufvTUSyoWR8

07/22/2026

Guess who has a Birthday today, and is presenting at the National Community Development Conference in Savannah, Georgia today?!?

Karen, our Founder of CCC!

Karen led a session this morning on “Intergenerational Community Development: Youth Led Strategies that Close Disparity Gaps” representing rural Minnesota and training others on the DREAMM Framework developed by CCC, and sharing stories of success. Participants split up into small groups and learned how to utilize tools for change first hand.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 5 Star Reviews from participants ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Let’s wish her a Happy Birthday, and a safe drive home!