Big News: The Lincoln Heights Legacy Project Selected for National Initiative
Fieldwork design workshop in Grenada, MS. Photo taken by Ms. PC Rory Doyle
Sometimes exceptional opportunities come along right when you least expect them. We are thrilled to share a major milestone for our organization: The Lincoln Heights Legacy Project has been selected to join Fieldwork, a prestigious new national program providing customized design, planning and development support to rural and Tribal communities.
The selection process was incredibly competitive—our project was one of just 20 chosen out of 150 applicants nationwide. To receive this kind of national recognition is a massive honor, and it validates the deep importance of preserving our community's history.
What is Fieldwork?
Fieldwork is a national initiative co-led by the design firm To Be Done Studio and the rural investment nonprofit Epicenter. Supported by the Mellon Foundation, the program is designed to help small communities tell meaningful stories, honor local identity and strengthen the spaces where people gather.
You can learn more about the national program and view the full cohort announcement on the Building Common Ground website.
18 Months of Support for Our Museum/Cultural Center
This isn’t just an award; it is an intensive, 18-month partnership that officially kicks off on June 14th. The Fieldwork team will provide mentorship, site visits and $10,000 in grant funding to help us design and plan our upcoming project.
Specifically, this partnership will help us:
Plan and design cultural spaces deeply rooted in our local context.
Engage residents and partners to ensure our community shapes the project's direction.
Strengthen our readiness by refining our long-term funding and leadership strategies.
Work alongside peer communities across the country facing similar challenges.
Building Momentum and Credibility
Beyond the direct design support, being part of this national cohort places Lincoln Heights on a larger stage. It gives our project a tremendous boost in credibility, making us much more attractive to future philanthropic partners. We also know our dedicated regional supporters, like the McConnell Foundation, will be incredibly proud to see national organizations stepping up to back our vision.
We are standing on the edge of a transformative chapter for Lincoln Heights. Stay tuned as we share updates from our upcoming site visits and design workshops—we can't wait to build this future together!