Eatonville Initiative

Current Status
Dr. Phillips Charities is committed to stewarding the Hungerford Property with care, transparency, and deep respect for Eatonville’s history and legacy. With the purchase and sale agreement now executed, the Eatonville Initiative has entered a 14–18 month period of exploration and collaborative planning focused on understanding the property, listening to the community, and evaluating future possibilities.

A Community Advisory Committee has been established to help inform this process, bringing together Eatonville residents, legacy descendants, business owners, community representatives, and subject-matter experts. The committee serves as an important bridge between the community and Dr. Phillips Charities as we listen, learn, and evaluate opportunities for the property.

Community engagement is central to this work. Dr. Phillips Charities held its first Town Hall & Meet & Greet on August 5, 2026, providing an opportunity for community members to ask questions, share ideas, and offer their perspectives. Additional conversations and engagement opportunities will continue throughout this planning phase.

The goal of this initial phase is to listen and learn before determining what the future of the property could look like. Through research, feasibility work, community conversations, and collaboration with local partners, Dr. Phillips Charities will thoughtfully evaluate potential opportunities while respecting Eatonville’s history, governance, community identity, and long-term well-being.

Our Role as Stewards
Dr. Phillips Charities has a long history of thoughtful land stewardship rooted in the legacy of Dr. Philip Phillips. For generations, the organization has approached land ownership with a long-term perspective—one that prioritizes community benefit, sustainability, and responsible planning.

The Hungerford property represents another opportunity to carry that legacy forward. Our role at this stage is to carefully evaluate the property, listen to community voices, and ensure that any future vision aligns with the priorities of the Town.

This process will be deliberate, transparent, and guided by what is best for the community over the long term.

Mission: Our mission is to honor and safeguard Eatonville’s legacy and Black Culture. We support a thriving, empowered community and promote economic vitality for all generations.

Vision: The Eatonville Initiative is a catalyst for resident-centered preservation and limitless opportunity.

Values:

Protecting History & Legacy: Honoring Eatonville & Hungerford’s rich past & bright future.

Trust, Integrity & Accountability: Honoring our commitments, being transparent, and holding ourselves responsible to the community.

Listening & Engagement: Centering community voices and working together through open, ongoing dialogue.

Collaborative Stewardship: Consistently engaging community voices and being responsible to collaborative stewardship.

Prioritizing the Prevention of Displacement: Eatonville Initiative projects are evaluated through the lens of not displacing existing residents.

Guiding Pillars

• Economic Opportunity

  Creating pathways to long term economic stability and opportunity.​

• Workforce Growth

  Creating jobs opportunities and training pathways

• Education

  Supporting education and increasing opportunities for residents to succeed.

• Attainable Housing Pathways

  Housing pathways including Homeownership, Affordable Housing, and Mixed Income.

• Health and Wellness

  Supporting Community opportunities for health and wellness.