The focus of the “Investing in Our Communities —West Side of Charleston” initiative is to strategically concentrate funds and other assets in the area around Mary C. Snow Elementary School.  The specific area of The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation’s concentration is Hunt Avenue to Grant Street then to 3^rd Avenue to Bream Street and the Kanawha Blvd. area that is situated between Hunt and Bream. By allocating resources to a specific area within a community with deliberate and intensive efforts, the Foundation believes that systemic changes can be achieved at a deeper and more sustainable level. The Foundation will be working in collaboration with other funders and community members to produce fundamental changes in services, systems and community problem-solving to improve the overall quality of life for the people that live, work, and play in this area. This type of community investment does so with respect for the local history and culture, a commitment to identifying and mobilizing local assets, and an interest in building local capacity.