Extension Foundation and Innovation Collective Partner to Drive Innovation and Community Development
The Extension Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the Cooperative Extension System, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Innovation Collective, an organization dedicated to unleashing human flourishing through building innovative communities and growing successful startups.
The partnership will focus on fostering innovation, economic development, and building resilient economies served by the Cooperative Extension System. Through this collaboration, the Extension Foundation and Innovation Collective will provide educational resources, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities to help community members, entrepreneurs and small business owners turn their ideas into successful companies.
“This partnership with Innovation Collective will provide the Extension Foundation with new tools and resources to help communities build innovative ecosystems that drive economic growth and community development,” said Beverly Coberly, interim CEO of the Extension Foundation. “We are excited to work with Innovation Collective to create opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners in our communities.”
Through this partnership, the Extension Foundation and Innovation Collective will work together to deliver a series of programs and services to support community members, entrepreneurs and small business owners in two communities as part of their Pilot Program. These programs will include mentorship opportunities, access to funding, educational resources, and networking events.
“Innovation Collective is thrilled to partner with the Extension Foundation to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in communities across the country,” said Nick Smoot, CEO of Innovation Collective. “By working together, we can help local community members, entrepreneurs and small business owners turn their ideas into action,create jobs, and build meaningful connections that strengthen local economies.”
The partnership between the Extension Foundation and Innovation Collective builds on the strengths of both organizations to provide communities with the resources they need to build successful businesses and drive economic growth. By working together, they will be able to create a supportive ecosystem that fosters personal growth, innovation and entrepreneurship. The program launch will start with two communities, Breathitt County, Kentucky and Malheur County, Oregon. “I am excited to be part of the program because I am passionate about establishing and maintaining partnerships with local agencies and organizations that meet the identified needs of the community. This opportunity will provide tools, training, and resources that are not readily available in rural communities”, says Barbara Brody, Associate Professor of Practice, Family and Community Health Faculty in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University.
For more information about the Extension Foundation and its mission to support the Cooperative Extension System, please visit https://extension.org/. For more information about Innovation Collective and its mission to build innovative communities, please visit www.innovationcollective.co.
Contact:
Brenna Kotar, Extension Foundation
brennakotar@extension.org
Jenn Farwell, Innovation Collective
Jenn@innovationcollective.co
