Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council chosen as a community host for 2026 Weaver Awards

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council announced Tuesday that it's been selected as one of 25 Community Host organizations for the 2026 Weaver Awards, a national initiative of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute. 

The Weaver Awards are part of a collection of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving trust into the social fabric of their communities.

Here's the rest of COIC's announcement:

As a Community Host, we will build a culture of weaving in Central Oregon by: 

• Identifying local weavers and sharing their stories with our community 

• Launching a local Weaver Awards program, distributing 20+ microgrants each year for four years to individuals and small nonprofits 

• Convening gatherings that bring people together and help them learn the skills of weaving 

• Joining a national network of local leaders rebuilding trust in communities across the U.S. 

 “We’re thrilled to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Sean Keithly, COIC Community and Economic Development Director. “This partnership will let us shine a light on the quiet leaders in our community and build upon the work they’re already doing to develop trust, connection, and belonging.” 

“While loneliness, isolation, and division seem to define our national story, these 25 Community Hosts show us another truth — that trust grows when neighbors show up for one another, build relationships, and work together,” said Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.

“Each organization is already deeply woven into the life of its community, and by going even deeper, they’re proving that a culture of belonging isn’t just possible — it’s already taking hold, block by block.” 

Each Community Host receives $225,000 in startup funding, along with training, tools, technical assistance, and ongoing support from Weave.

This partnership represents a four-year commitment to our community, signaling Weave’s belief in the strength, creativity, and leadership already alive in the Central Oregon region. The first cycle of the Central Oregon Weaver Awards is set to launch in summer 2026. 

“The richness of a community comes from people of different perspectives, cultures, and experiences coming together in care for one another,” said Tammy Baney, executive director of COIC. “We’re grateful to partner with the Aspen Institute to bring this community-building investment to Central Oregon and to support the neighbors who strengthen connection and belonging across our region.” 

We’ll share more information in the months ahead, including details on how local residents can apply for a Weaver Award. For more information, please visit our website https://www.coic.org/weaverawards/  

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About Weave 

Weave: The Social Fabric Project is an initiative of the Aspen Institute dedicated to strengthening trust, connection, and belonging in communities across the United States. Weave supports everyday weavers—neighbors who show up for others, bridge divides, and build community. Through storytelling, online learning, community-building programs, and the Weaver Awards, Weave works to repair America’s social fabric from the ground up and lift up the people who are already leading this work in their neighborhoods. Learn more at weavers.org.  

About Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council 
Established in 1972, the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council is a regional council of governments serving Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson counties, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, providing planning, transportation, economic development, and community services that support regional collaboration and resilience.