Get to Know Erik Long, Director of Thrive35

Meet Erik Long: community champion, loving husband and father, passionate visionary and newly appointed Director of Thrive35. The Foundation is pleased to welcome Erik to the team in alignment with the launch of Thrive35, a countywide collaboration designed to bring together people, partnerships and resources around a shared vision for Huntington County’s future. Named for the number on every Huntington County license plate, Thrive35 symbolizes a collective commitment to help all 35 thrive: every town, every neighborhood, every resident.

“I’m excited to be part of this next chapter and focus on the opportunities in front of us,” said Long. “Thrive35 provides a way to continue our positive trajectory and make sure every part of Huntington County is in the conversation.”

The Foundation is thrilled to have Erik join our team and invites the community to join us in extending a warm welcome as he transitions into his new role. Keep reading the Q&A below to get to know Erik Long, Director of Thrive35.

Q: Tell us about yourself!

A: I’m a proud Fort Wayne native, where I was raised in a family dedicated to community and public service. Seeing my parents involvement in the community gave me a deep appreciation for Northeast Indiana and its history. I’m a big believer in localism and the idea that lasting change takes root at the neighborhood level. I’m an Indiana University alum, and currently serve as the President of the Packard Area Alliance, a 501c3 focused on improving an 18-neighborhood area in Fort Wayne through housing, entrepreneurship, placemaking and historic preservation. Outside of my professional life, I’m a dedicated father of two boys, Theodore and August, and I’m married to my best friend, Anne Marie. All of our time spent outside of work is focused on the kids.

Q: What inspired you to step into this role?

A: Over the last year as Director of Elevate Huntington, I saw firsthand the immense potential and dedication within Huntington County. We identified a crucial gap of focus in the granular, yet highly important, aspects that build our perception of the community. The opportunity to work with Matt (Executive Director) and the Community Foundation—a team with a long, meaningful history of local impact—is an honor.

Q: What are some of your favorite things about Huntington County?

A: My favorite thing is the beautiful natural landscape, and the local food scene. I really enjoy hiking the Bloodroot trail around Salamonie Lake – it has some of the most beautiful scenery in Northeast Indiana. I’ve become a big fan of local spots like Nick’s Kitchen, Wise Guys, The Markle Pancake House, the Wagon Wheel in Warren and of course, all of the good eats in Roanoke.

Q: If you could only tell community members ONE thing about yourself, what would you want them to know?

A: My favorite thing to do is sit down for some good conversation over a cup of coffee. I want everyone to know that if you ever want to get to know me, or want to talk about something you’re passionate about, I will always make time for that!

Q: What first drew you to community development work?

A: In college I read the books Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam, and The Death & Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, which had a big impact on how I view our world. When the vibrancy of our communities fade, and we stop setting the table for connection as neighbors, we all suffer in ways that might not be immediately apparent. Trying to create opportunities for those things to blossom feels like a worthy endeavor.

Q: When you envision a ‘thriving community,’ what does that look like to you?

A: A ‘thriving community’ is one where its unique character is valued, new opportunities are accessible and the quality of life is high. It looks like an area where residents are proud to live, entrepreneurs feel supported to start businesses and the public spaces are designed and activated for connection. Critically, it’s a place where local leaders work together across sectors, rather than in silos, for the betterment of the community.

Q: What’s the importance of community collaboration?

A: It’s simple – we are stronger when we share a unified vision. When local leaders and stakeholders commit to clearly identified goals, it lifts up the entire community.

Q: How would you describe Thrive35 to someone in a coffee shop?

A: I’d describe Thrive35 as the intentional focus on making Huntington County an even better place to live. It’s an initiative that closes the gap between the big regional vision and the small, but important, details that build a network of community support. This isn’t just a one-off project. This is about building systems that outlast all of us in our respective roles.

Q: How do you balance long-term goals with short-term wins that people can see and feel?

A: The balance is achieved by framing the short-term wins as the foundational steps toward the long-term vision. For example, a successful small-scale placemaking project (a short-term win) not only improves a specific neighborhood immediately but also serves as a visible, tangible proof-of-concept that builds trust and engagement for the larger, long-term goals like housing or downtown investment. You need to have those small victories to sustain the momentum and patience required for the big changes.

Q: Tell us about a previous project or experience that shaped how you approach community building?

A: A significant experience for me was having the privilege of working with Wabash County on their Stellar Pathways and Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaborations (CCC) applications. Both applications drew from the county’s Imagine One85 plan – the result of a two-year, extensive community engagement process. This wasn’t a plan created by consultants in a vacuum; it was a uniquely community-driven and prioritized county-wide vision. This experience taught me the indispensable value of deep, patient and broad community engagement, proving that truly meaningful investment flows from an authentic local mandate.

Because so much community and stakeholder engagement was already complete, and because strong institutional partners were prepared to invest in the identified projects, we had more than just great content for the funding applications. They had the proven capacity for collaboration and investment readiness, which is the track record that large funding providers love to see. Ultimately, both applications were awarded resulting in a combined total of $19.1 million in grant funding.

Q: What are you most looking forward to with this transition to Thrive35?

A: I’m most looking forward to working with he Community Foundation team and contributing to their long history of local impact. I’m excited to translate the high-level quality of life investments we’ve explored into tangible, on-the-ground successes through the focused work of Thrive35.

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The Foundation is grateful for a continued partnership with the County Commissioners, who will provide transitional funding as the program moves underneath the Foundation. After that period, the Foundation will sustain and grow Thrive35 as part of its ongoing mission of connecting people and resources to address local challenges and opportunities.

Want to learn more about Thrive35? Check out this Q&A Blog. Those interested in connecting or getting involved with Thrive35 are encouraged to Reach out to Erik at erik@huntingtonccf.org.

Together, We Thrive

Thrive35 is a shared invitation to build Huntington County’s future together. Everyone has a role to play in this work. Whether you lead a business, serve in local government, volunteer or simply care about where you live, your voice matters. Stay connected with the Foundation for updates on Thrive35 and join us in shaping what’s next for our county. Together, we thrive!