Who can be a community champion? You can!
Community champions are people who care about their community and take action to make it stronger.
Community change doesn’t usually start big. It starts small with people who care enough to try something. Community champions help spark ideas, bring people together, support community-driven solutions and keep momentum going over time. No one person does all of these at once, and many champions begin with just one small action.
Community champions may be neighbors, parents, volunteers, students or professionals. Some work within organizations or formal initiatives, while others act informally by starting conversations, bringing people together or supporting changes they want to see. What they share is a commitment to improving everyday conditions in the places where they live, work, learn or serve.
Explore four community champion roles and stories of real champions in action.
Explore the roles and stories below, and consider how your interests, experiences and strengths can help create positive change in your community.
Role 1: Community champions mobilize. They turn ideas into first steps.
Community champions help groups move from “we should…” to “let’s start!”
They do this by:
- Encouraging people to take small, doable actions rather than waiting for perfect plans.
- Helping clarify priorities so the group knows what to tackle first.
- Creating a sense of shared purpose that makes people feel ready to act.
This early activation is often what transforms a good idea into a real initiative.
"If you think you want to make a change and see something done, do it."Aditi Kulkarni
Role 2: Community champions connect. They strengthen relationships and networks.
Champions build bridges by:
- Bringing people together who might not otherwise meet.
- Spotting shared goals across different groups, organizations or neighborhoods.
- Helping uncover new perspectives, partnerships, tools and resources that expand what’s possible.
These connections often become the backbone of long-term success.
"It's really awesome to see that we all seem to have the same goal and everyone is working together."Bradley Youngstrom
Role 3: Community champions shape solutions. They ground ideas in lived experience.
Because champions understand community realities, they help ensure solutions are:
- Practical
- Relevant
- Rooted in lived experience
- Designed with the community, not for it
They help groups test ideas, adjust quickly and stay focused on what works.
"They're more likely to eat vegetables if it's something they've had an opportunity to touch and grow themselves." Mary Turner
Role 4: Community champions sustain momentum. They keep people engaged over time.
Champions help maintain steady progress by:
- Checking in, encouraging and celebrating progress (even small wins).
- Keeping communication flowing so people feel informed and included.
- Helping the group navigate setbacks without losing energy.
- Showing up consistently, which builds trust and keeps the effort moving forward.
Momentum isn’t about speed, it’s about steady, reliable movement. Champions help make that possible.
"You've got to keep going, one foot in front of the other." Dawn Pulley
Inspired? Great! Take your next step.
Every community champion starts somewhere. Use the Community Change Model to identify a challenge you care about, connect with others who share your interest and take one small action toward positive change.
Download and review MSU Extension's Six-Step Community Change Model and see how the different roles support specific steps in the model.
- Mobilize supports Step 1: Identify the Need and Step 5: Make a Plan and Act
- Connect supports Step 2: Bring People Together
- Shape Solutions supports Step 3: Explore What’s Working and Step 4: Gather Resources
- Sustain Momentum supports Step 5: Make a Plan and Act and Step 6: Reflect and Share What You Learned
References
South Dakota State University Extension. What is a community champion? https://extension.sdstate.edu/what-community-champion
University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development. Honor community champions. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/maintain/reward-accomplishments/honor-community-champions/main
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