Introducing Inclusa Foundation
Enhancing support to transform communities across Wisconsin.
(Stevens Point, Wisconsin, May 1, 2024) - The Inclusa Foundation is proud to announce its official launch, dedicated to providing support to organizations that serve older adults and adults with disabilities in Wisconsin. As a nonprofit organization committed to fostering diverse and inclusive communities, the Inclusa Foundation aims to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals across the state.
At the core of its mission is the belief in the power of Commonunity®, a trademarked model of support that leverages valued programs, impactful partnerships, and innovative practices to transform communities across Wisconsin. Through collaborative efforts, the Inclusa Foundation seeks to enhance the common good so that all people can live more connected lives.
"The launch of the Inclusa Foundation marks an exciting milestone in our journey to build partnerships that embrace choice, independence, and a sense of belonging in our local communities," said Candise Miller, Executive Director of the Inclusa Foundation. "By providing funding opportunities to organizations that share our vision, we aim to drive positive systems change and improve lives throughout the state."
The Inclusa Foundation pursues a multi-pronged approach for systems change, including provider innovation, leadership development, and public policy education. As part of its inaugural initiatives, the Foundation is pleased to announce its first funding commitments totaling more than $1.9 million aimed at bringing nationally recognized provider leadership development and public policy development programs to the state of Wisconsin over the next three years.
Current 2024 grant recipients include:
A partnership with the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) to develop a two-prong public policy leadership initiative. The program emphasizes knowledge transfer, capacity building, fresh perspectives, succession planning, coordination with other BPDD public policy and advocacy initiatives, and stakeholder engagement. The initiative includes a Wisconsin Disability Public Policy Leadership Fellowship and a Wisconsin Disability Public Policy Leadership Internship program that will equip an expanded pool of people with lived experience to inform and support policymakers, building skills and connections to facilitate future careers in disability policy leadership.
A partnership with the National Leadership Consortium on a three-phase program aiming to advance the leadership development and connection of three cohorts of emerging and established leaders working in various roles and positions across the Wisconsin Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) system. The proposed program will offer an annual in-person Leadership Institute, ongoing virtual follow-up training and support, and short-term leadership coaching. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to enhance Wisconsin leaders' skills, knowledge, resources, connections, confidence, and capacity to continue to transform and move the developmental disabilities system toward practices, services, and supports that advance the human rights and dignity of Wisconsinites with IDD. This initiative will provide holistic and sustained support for Wisconsin leaders that will impact their careers well beyond the program.
In addition to its inaugural commitments, the Inclusa Foundation is launching its first Open Call for grant proposals beginning May 1, encouraging organizations with innovative approaches likely to contribute to Wisconsin’s Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) ecosystem to consider applying. Inclusa Foundation is especially interested in ideas related to housing, transportation, community living, integrated employment, workforce, integrating medical and long-term care needs, and peer support. This inaugural grant cycle runs May–August 2024.
For more information on grant opportunities and Open Call, visit: www.inclusafoundation.org/grant-information.
The Inclusa Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to fostering diverse and inclusive communities for older adults and adults with disabilities. The Inclusa Foundation was formed as the result of a recently completed acquisition of Inclusa, Inc.’s assets by Humana. The acquisition provides funds that will support granting opportunities and sustain the Foundation for the long-term.
To learn more about Inclusa Foundation, visit: www.inclusafoundation.org