Reweaving Governance with Our Values at the Center

August 28, 2025

At SRF, we believe governance is more than a structure—it’s a living practice that should reflect our deepest values. That’s why we’ve realigned our governance through a sociocratic framework: a model of shared power, transparency, and collaborative learning.

Our updated governance structure is built around three Circles- instead of Board- (Administrative, Community, and Youth) and interconnected Committees, with cross-representation ensuring every decision benefits from multiple perspectives.

Here’s how our values come alive through this model:

  • Community Wisdom: Our Community Board ensures that the lived experiences of local voices guide strategy, grantmaking, and impact.

  • Youth Voice: The Youth Board is not symbolic—it has real authority, leading youth grantmaking, scholarships, and leadership programs while advising on messaging and funding.

  • Meaningful Engagement: Cross-representation across all boards means decisions are co-created rather than top-down. Everyone has a seat and a say.

  • Collaborative Learning: By designing governance as circles of accountability, we’ve created space for reflection, adaptation, and learning together.

  • Trust through Transparency: Policies, funding strategies, and decisions are shared across boards and committees, making trust not just an aspiration but a practice.

This alignment matters for our participatory practices and grantmaking. With this structure, programs are more responsive, grantmaking is more equitable, and young people are included at all levels of decision-making.

Ultimately, we’re not just shifting who decides what. We’re re-shaping how decisions are made—so that our governance matches the world we’re working toward: participatory, transparent, intergenerational, and wise.

To learn more about our work, check out our video series, “Sit With It- Reflections From the Participatory Edge” on YouTube.

About Snow-Redfern Foundation
The Snow-Redfern Foundation believes that all young people deserve the chance to grow, lead, and thrive. We work across Nebraska to support youth through partnerships, grantmaking, and programs that lift up youth voice, community wisdom, and shared leadership. By building strong relationships and investing in youth-led change, we help create a better future for everyone.

To learn more or make a donation, visit www.snowredfern.org.