Gorton center to host Greater Good Project

Gorton Community Center has received a commitment from The Grainger Foundation to fund the Greater Good Project, which will provide area nonprofits access to nationally-known thought leaders.

A five-year initiative, the Greater Good Project will bring a noted speaker to Gorton once a year to conduct an invitation-only coaching and workshop seminar. The goals of this seminar will be to help local nonprofits improve management skills, increase their ability to provide high-level services, and leverage their shared experiences.

Themes will include communication, managing people, technology, innovation and marketing. After implementing the knowledge and strategies gained from the speaker, workshop participants will attend a Lunch & Learn at Gorton to share their outcomes.

In addition to the seminar, each speaker will give a public, keynote address in Gorton's newly renovated, state-of-the-art theater.

"I am really excited about this opportunity provided by Gorton Community Center," said Andy Duran, executive director of LEAD/SpeakUP! Prevention Coalition. "I believe these programs will have a great impact on the lives and work of leaders in our community, and I can't wait to participate."

Gorton Community Center has a long history as a hub for community service and today provides offices for nine nonprofit organizations.

"Many nonprofits don't have the resources to participate in high-quality events where they can gain the knowledge they need to take their services to the next level," said Gorton Board President Mark Ventling.

"We are honored The Grainger Foundation has made it possible for Gorton to empower these groups through the Greater Good Project."

The Grainger Foundation, an independent, private foundation in Lake Forest, was established in 1949 by William Wallace Grainger, founder of W.W. Grainger, Inc., North America's leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with operations also in Asia, Europe and Latin America.

Since its founding, the foundation has provided substantive support to a broad range of organizations, including museums and educational, medical and human services institutions. Its commitment to Gorton will fund the Greater Good Project for five years.

Gorton Community Center is a privately-funded, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that operates in partnership with volunteers and the City of Lake Forest to enrich the lives of its residents through cultural arts, education and charitable service.

Gorton relies on the generosity of residents and businesses to help fund programs, services and building improvements offered in the historic building owned by the city.