Organization that fosters public policies, human service reforms and community supports to meet the needs of youth and families. Site includes information on the foundation’s Making Connections program, a ten-year investment aimed at improving outcomes for families and children in tough or isolated neighborhoods.

Resources to identify, nurture, and mobilize community strengths. Some resources are free; others can be purchased.

Site with resources for impacting issues like education, employment, housing, neighborhood safety and community reinvestment.

Center for the Study of Social Policy

Site that helps community builders set common agendas for change, influence public policy and practice and improve life for children and families.

Site with 6,000 pages of practical skill-building information on over 250 different topics. Topic sections include step-by-step instruction, examples, check-lists and related resources.

Site with resources geared toward Community Development Corporations (CDCs).The resources section includes how-to’s on housing, finance, child care, workforce and safety and interactive online tools, software, publications and videos.

Site dedicated to creating affordable homeownership and housing opportunities through innovative partnerships and initiatives that build healthy, vibrant communities. Site includes information about the Fannie Mae Foundation’s grants, programs and publications.

Site with resources for broadening and deepening support for national and community service. Includes a definitions section, as well as links to a variety of organizations involved in service programming, research, and policy.

A Fannie Mae Foundation site with news, studies and other information on affordable housing and community development. Site includes resources on fair housing, homelessness, economic revitalization and homeownership.

 

Tampa Bay LISC (Local Initiatives Support Coalition)
Founded in 1980 with the support of the Ford Foundation, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has marshaled more than $6 billion from 3,100 investors, lenders, and donors. In over 300 urban and rural communities nationwide, LISC has helped 2,400 community development corporations (CDCs) build or rehabilitate more than 158,000 affordable homes and almost 22 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space – totaling almost $13 billion in development. As a result, hundreds of thousands of people have better lives and brighter futures

Site with resources geared toward NCCED’s national network of CDCs. This site’s program and policy information is also helpful for others with an interest in this field of work.

Neighborhood Funders Group

Resources for improving economic and social conditions in low-income communities. The “News and Resources” section includes a community organizing toolkit.

Neighborhood Small Grants Network

Site for funders, community groups and neighborhood leaders to implement neighborhood small grants programs.

Resources for a variety of audiences – ranging from community developers seeking training and certification to journalists, researchers and job seekers. Site also includes a training and event calendar, profiles of best practices and links to research data and other organizations.

Federal site with resources for people who want to become volunteers or organizers in their communities. Site includes information about housing, economic development and identifying grants and other community development resources.

The Art of Revitalization: Improving Conditions in Distressed Inner-City Neighborhoods

Zielenbach, John and Sean; Garland Publishing; 2000

Book that discusses how and why communities thrive and what we can do to help revitalize urban neighborhoods.

Comeback Cities: A Blueprint for Urban Neighborhood Revival
Grogan, Paul S. and Proscio, Tony; Westview Press; 2000
Book discussing how public-private partnerships, grassroots groups and a willingness to experiment can yield new approaches to urban problem solving.

The Aspen Institute; 1999

A case study highlighting how visionary leadership and community organizing brought businesses and farmers together to reinvigorate small town Tupelo, Mississippi.

House by House, Block by Block: The Rebirth of America's Urban Neighborhoods
Hoffman, Alexander Von; Oxford University Press; 2004
A series of colorful narratives that discuss how neighborhoods in New York, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles are being revitalized.

Halpern, Robert; Columbia University Press; 1995

Book examining how neighborhood-based initiatives have been used to address poverty-related issues.

Keating, W. Dennis, Krumholz, Norman and Star, Philip (Editors); University Press of Kansas; 1996

Fifteen thought-provoking essays by leading urban planning and development scholars. Essays discuss how urban neighborhoods can and must be preserved as economic, cultural and political centers.

Northeast Midwest Institute; 2001

Chapter discussing how to develop homes, stores, workplaces and other facilities in ways that make existing communities more livable. Includes a case study on a community revitalization strategy that resulted in new housing, dramatic streetscape improvements, new tenants and an increased tax base for the city of Baltimore.

Kretzmann, John and McKnight, John; ACTA Publications; 1995

Training program on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). Program includes six 30-45 minute modules on mobilizing residents, civic associations and institutional resources to build stronger and more vibrant communities.

Lipman, Mark and Mahan, Leah; New Day Films; 1997

Documentary on how grassroots leaders in a Massachusetts neighborhood fought to close illegal dumps, gain control of land and create a comprehensive plan to rebuild their community.