Who can initiate the Community Heart & Soul process?

• A number of people! The process can be initiated by residents, community-based organizations, or local governments. The official applicant must be a nonprofit or unit of local government, or there must be a fiscal sponsor that meets these qualifications.

What is the eligible population range for Community Heart & Soul communities?

• Community Heart & Soul is designed for rural communities with populations under 30,000.

Are other "communities" besides cities and towns eligible for the program?

• Multi-town, regional, or county efforts may be eligible if the total population does not exceed 30,000.

How does Community Heart & Soul interact with other community development and planning efforts?

• Community Heart & Soul does not replace other community development and planning processes. However, it complements other community initiatives to increase community engagement and support for community-led programs and activities.

Can a community focus on a predetermined theme during the Community Heart & Soul process?

• Community Heart & Soul is a bottom-up, resident-driven process that should not driven by any predetermined theme. The strength of the model lies in the design: there is no agenda being promoted, other than a genuine desire to improve community relationships and collaborative decision-making.

Jennifer Anderson (Montana State University Extension)

• Jennifer Anderson: Jennifer has worked for Montana State University Extension Service for over twenty-six years, first as a County Extension Agent and most recently as a Community Vitality Associate Specialist. Jennifer received a master’s degree in community development from Iowa State University and is passionate about helping rural communities maximize their potential for sustainability and vibrancy. She helped launch the MSU Extension Reimagining Rural Project, was a community coach for the Horizons Project, has led various educational programs, and has held leadership roles at the local, regional, and state levels. As a fifth-generation Montanan, Jennifer recognizes the importance of Montana’s rural communities and is committed to helping small towns thrive.

Camden Graves (Montana Community Foundation)

• Camden Graves: Camden joined the Montana Community Foundation in January 2025 as the Executive Coordinator. In this role, she provides an expert level of coordination for the President/CEO, the Board of Directors, and the Executive staff. She also serves as the liaison to the Board of Directors and MCF’s committee members. She received a Bachelor of Arts in History from King’s College London in the UK. She started her career in philanthropy as the Development Coordinator at JW3 in London, where she developed a strong foundation in fundraising, grant writing, and donor engagement strategies. Camden found her passion for rural communities during her year as an Americorps VISTA in Boulder, MT, where she worked on community projects, building stakeholder engagement, and building organizational capacity.

Tara Mastel (Montana State University Extension)

• Tara Mastel is an Associate Specialist and Program Lead for Community Development at Montana State University Extension, where she works to support rural community vitality and local leaders. She served nearly ten years as a Community and Economic Development Extension Agent in Jefferson County, Montana, where she led a range of projects, including historic building renovations, industrial park development, farmers' markets, and local community foundations. Tara grew up in rural Northeast Montana and has a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.

Shyanne Wallace (Montana Community Foundation)

• Shyanne has deep roots in rural Montana and brings a strong background in community development and relationship-building to her role as Program Officer for Local Community Foundations at the Montana Community Foundation. She previously served as Executive Director of Two Rivers Economic Growth, where she secured grant funding, built strategic partnerships, and led revitalization and capacity-building efforts to support long-term community health. A Rural Ambassador with the Montana Nonprofit Association, Shyanne is passionate about helping communities articulate their identity, leverage local strengths, and invest in their future. Now living in Glasgow and Valley County, where her family owns Eugene’s Pizza and Sam and Jeff’s, she is a proud mom of two teenage daughters, partner to Jeff, bonus mom to three stepchildren, and dog mom to Kali—grateful to raise her family in the rural community she is so dedicated to serving.

Mandie Reed (Montana State University Extension)

• Mandie Reed is the Montana State University Extension Agent serving in Wheatland County, Montana, a position she has held since 2004. She delivers programs to meet the needs of the people in Wheatland County in four program areas: 4-H and Youth Development, Family and Consumer Science, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Community Development. Mandie has also served on the statewide planning committee for Reimagining Rural and Big Sky, Big Leadership. She has offered the BSBL program in Wheatland County for 4 years. What Mandie loves most about her job is the opportunity to work with creative peers and to serve her community.