Jim Sheehan is a visionary with a profound dream for the region. “Community is something we need to foster, enhance and develop.” He lives by example—both personally and professionally.

Professionally, Sheehan is at the center of the development of the Community Building in downtown Spokane. His vision includes the Saranac Building next door. Together, both buildings house many nonprofits in an environmentally-friendly atmosphere.

Sheehan recently recommended a $50,000 grant through his donor-advised fund at INWCF to Blue Prints for Learning. His investment advisor, Bob Larson at Merrill Lynch, supported his desire to stay local and support his community foundation as well as local nonprofits.

Albert Einstein once said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” This thinking is what propels Sheehan to seek change and to challenge all of us to do the same.

He suggests that we look at how we measure success and redefine it within our own community to include social justice, environmental justice and economic justice. By opening a donor-advised fund at INWCF, Sheehan made it easier to support the causes to which he is deeply committed.

“Now I have a local community foundation. I’m really pleased because it broadens my network,” he says. “Things are changing. I’m really hopeful.”