champions place news
JUNE 2026
The Ripple effect of champions place
photo of the ~3 day work session in May of 2023
One of Champions Community Foundation's strategic initiatives, and an important part of our mission, is to share what we've learned through the development and creation of Champions Place with others who are passionate about serving adults with disabilities.
Rick Thompson often reflects on a piece of advice from one of Champions Place's generous supporters: "Rick, share what you have learned with others...and don't charge them. It's God's IP (intellectual property)." That encouragement continues to shape the way we approach this part of our mission.
Over the past several years, we have hosted around 15 to 20 groups interested in learning from Champions Place with the hope of creating similar communities in their own local communities. The IDDeal Place is the first of those dreams to become a reality, making this milestone especially meaningful to celebrate.
As one of the cornerstone donors whose generosity helped make Champions Place possible, The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation invited our team to share everything we had learned as they partnered with The IDDeal Foundation to create The IDDeal Place—Ruttura Family Campus. Beginning in May 2023, we opened our doors, hosted tours, answered questions, and shared everything from building plans and operational processes to fundraising strategies and technology. We were grateful for the opportunity to leverage what we learned through the development and creation of Champions Place to help accelerate their progress and think through what The IDDeal Place could become.
On June 23, 2026, we had the joy of celebrating the opening of The IDDeal Place—Ruttura Family Campus!
We're excited to share a short video from their opening celebration and celebrate this incredible milestone alongside them.
To everyone who has supported Champions Community Foundation over the years, thank you. Your generosity not only impacts lives here at Champions Place, but reaches far beyond our walls. It is an honor to share what we've learned through the creation of Champions Place so that more communities can be created where adults with disabilities can live with greater independence, purpose, and belonging.
“The IDD community grows stronger when organizations choose collaboration. Champions Place demonstrated that spirit by opening its doors, sharing its expertise, and helping us navigate the creation of The IDDeal Place. Their guidance has had a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and commitment to creating more opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
“The IDDeal Place—Ruttura Family Campus was not created in isolation. We were blessed to learn from Champions Place and study the best practices that helped make its community so successful. What we saw at Champions Place affirmed what we deeply believe: when you create the right home environment, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can flourish. We took those lessons to heart as we developed the campus—shaping a community where residents can live with greater independence, dignity, purpose, and belonging.”
“Rick, share what you have learned with others...and don’t charge them. It’s God’s IP (intellectual property).”