Fresno DRIVE to Further Economic Inclusion Growth as Selected 2026 Community Host for the Weaver Awards

Photo of the pledges written down, committing to creating an economy for all at DRIVE’s fifth anniversary event

Fresno DRIVE and the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF) are proud to announce that they are Weaver Award grant recipients. Weavers is a national initiative of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute, a worldwide convenor of change. As one of 25 communities across the country that were awarded the grant, DRIVE was recognized for its ongoing community engagement work, including leading 15 cumulative people, place, and prosperity initiatives, such as Community Justice Network, Permanent Affordable Housing, and Wealth Creation.

“We’re honored to be entrusted with funding to increase economic inclusion growth in Fresno County — the place we’re proud to call home — and for the overall betterment of our communities,” Artie Padilla said.

The primary focus of Weave is to identify local individuals that have natural, organic networks and leverage those networks to build social cohesion and community learning. This aligns perfectly with DRIVE’s ongoing focus of connecting community for the purpose of civic participation that leads to social change and local transformation in neighborhoods in both urban and rural areas. This two-year pilot grant is a catalytic tool to help develop more “Weavers” across Fresno County. DRIVE envisions these individuals playing a vital role in improving our communities’ social and civic health over time.

Combined with DRIVE’s Neighborhood Hubs and other place-based partners, the Weaver project expands DRIVE’s strategy of connecting with tens of thousands of individuals over the next five years — individuals that are actively participating in hands-on projects, in advocacy, or in other ways that bring equity and healthier conditions for Fresno County families.

Stay tuned for future updates on the impact that the Weaver Award grant will have in Fresno County by continuing to read the monthly newsletter and following Fresno DRIVE on Instagram.