The Community Roots Foundation was founded in 2025 by Community Roots LLC founders Alicia Burdick and Sam Sartwell. Amid growing uncertainty around federal and state Medicaid funding, Alicia and Sam began looking for proactive ways to help protect the stability, connection, and opportunities that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve.

For many people with disabilities, access to meaningful experiences, support, and community is deeply tied to government funding that can fluctuate over time. The Community Roots Foundation was created to help bridge those gaps by allowing families, neighbors, and community members to come together to support one another and ensure that opportunities for joy, growth, and connection remain strong regardless of changes in funding.