Community Development Corporations (CDCs) are typically non-profit (although there are some for-profit CDCs), community-based organizations focused on revitalizing the areas in which they are located, primarily economically challenged low-income, underserved neighborhoods that have experienced significant disinvestment. They focus on community health by addressing issues dealing with affordable housing, economic development, sanitation, access to clean water, streetscaping, waste management, food insecurity and neighborhood planning projects. Many times, they even provide education and social services to residents.

Individuals, existing organizations, churches, schools, businesspeople, or any like-minded people can start and/or operate a CDC. If you would like to start or become involved with a CDC, research to see if a CDC operates in your interested geographic area. If one does not exist, engage with the residents of your interested community to learn, understand and honor their needs.

One of the most common ways CDCs obtain resources is by seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and individuals for non-profit activities.

Grant providers have their own focus, fields of interest, and type of support they provide. Some grant programs operate on an invitation-only basis, others may accept a Letter of Interest and subsequent applications from grantees.

Understanding how to access government funding programs is important to effectively secure resources exclusively set aside to invest in solutions for low-income communities.

These resources often exclusively serve organizations on a first-come-first-served basis and usually are not widely advertised – thereby limiting access for whom the funds are intended.

• Anchoring capital in communities by developing residential and commercial property, ranging from affordable housing to shopping centers

• CDCs board members are typically composed of community residents (and others), allowing for the possibility of direct, grassroots participation in decision-making for the community

• CDCs endeavor to improve community conditions by collating power in two ways: organizing politically and building economically

• Community wealth building benefits individuals, families, businesses, schools and the community at large, by addressing the underlying issues that lead to crime and systemic poverty

CDCs are the vehicles to access and distribute earmarked funds intended for low-moderate income communities.

When the funds are not acquired by those whom it is intended; funds are re-allocated / redirected to downtown and others that typically lead to gentrification projects vs. building and rehabbing economically distressed individuals and communities.

There are no limitations.

There should be at least one CDC to address the needs of a neighborhood.

Each city or town has planned development, and NCI endeavors to assist every neighborhood to determine its own in partnership with their local organizations and institutions to ensure access to funding and other resources.

Now! Connect with your community and start a CDC to address the systemic issues underlying crime, gentrification, the lack of affordable housing, inaccessibility to quality education, food insecurity, polluted communal water, irresponsible waste management, and the lack of a thriving, local economy.