Hundreds of organizations across the country are doing valuable work that contributes to building healthier communities.

From here you can learn more about 150 of these organizations. Where the group has a website, you can link to it. For other groups, we include a brief description and contact information.

This information is from 

Building Healthier Communities
McAuley Institute
8300 Colesville Road
Suite 310
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Phone: 301-588-8110
Fax: 301-588-8154
email: rstauffer@mcauley.org

Community and Faith-based Institutions

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Community Organizing and Public Policy

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Economic Opportunities and Jobs

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Education and Youth

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Environmental

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Government

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Health Care and Wellness

 

 

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Housing and Community Development

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Women’s Organizations

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Other

 


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CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TECHNOLOGY
2125 West North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(312) 278-4800

The Center for Neighborhood Technology works with community organizations on research, advocacy, and technical assistance in order to achieve sustainable neighborhood development. It also publishes the magazine Neighborhood Works.

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CENTER FOR URBAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The University of Illinois at Chicago
815 West Van Buren - Room 500
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 996-6336

The Center for Urban Economic Development is committed to stabilization and expansion of Chicago's economic base through its assistance to organizations involved in neighborhood economic development. It is based at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Center holds workshops on economic development strategies and conducts economic analyses of local neighborhoods. The Center also collects and disseminates data on economic conditions in Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding Cook county areas. Its strategies are tailored to Chicago but they can be replicated anywhere.

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COMMUNITY TRAINING AND RESOURCE CENTER
School for Housing Organizers
47 Ann St., 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
(212) 964-7200

Through the School for Housing Organizers, CTRC offers classes and workshops focusing on training leaders. A wide variety of activist groups receive the trainings, from tenant and neighborhood associations to labor unions and senior citizen groups to public officials and their staff,, on issues of housing law and tenant protection laws. CTRC also writes and distributes fact sheets on housing rights, answers telephone inquiries, and makes referrals to numerous other agencies.

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EDUCATION CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZING (Hunter College)
129 E. 79th St.
New York, NY 10021
(212) 452-7112

The Education Center is a forum for several organizing projects including those that focus on women, community, health care and child care. The Center provides skills workshops for local organizers and leaders, special training in computer skills and fundraising, special training on coalition development and resources for women organizers.

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FEDERATION OF APPALACHIAN HOUSING ENTERPRISES (FAHE)
P.O. Drawer B
Berea, KY 40403
(606) 986-2321

The Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises (FAHE) is a regional organization that provides technical assistance and advocacy at national, regional, state and local levels. FAHE serves as a financial intermediary between investors and the Federation's member groups for pre-development and construction financing, and between investors and low income families and individuals for permanent mortgage financing. It was incorporated in 1980 as a spin-off of Human/Economic Appalachian Development Corporation. FAHE is a coalition of nonprofit groups dedicated to providing affordable housing to low income families in six central Appalachian states: Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio.

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FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN COOPERATIVES
P.O. Box 95
Epes, AL 35460
(205) 652-9676

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives was created in 1967 to serve members in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The Federation conducts workshops and training sessions applicable to cooperative development such as credit union development and operation and techniques and practices for running small farms. Training is open to both members and nonmembers at the Federation's training and research center.

Membership in the Federation is limited to cooperatives in the southern states listed above. Members of organizations in other regions are eligible to attend training sessions. Fees for training sessions include tuition, room and board but scholarship assistance is available. Fees for services are based on the ability of an individual or organization to pay.

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GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP
P.O. Box 36006
Charlotte, NC 28236
(704) 332-3090

Grassroots leadership is a team of organizers that has been working primarily in the southeastern United States since 1980. The organizers are called upon by local groups looking for assistance on a wide variety of issues, including education, housing, water and sewer, workers rights, fundraising, financial management, and leadership, organizational and individual development. An annual conference is held in December. An internship program offers training and experience to new organizers.

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HOMELESSNESS INFORMATION EXCHANGE of the NATIONAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
1612 K Street, NW, Suite 1004
Washington DC 20006
(202) 775-1322

The Homelessness Information Exchange is a national nonprofit information service on homelessness, offering summaries of model programs, research, funding sources and technical advisors.

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INDUSTRIAL AREAS FOUNDATION (IAF)
220 West Kinzie
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 245-9211

IAF organizing principles have been used in communities across the country and the United Kingdom. The IAF trains organizers throughout the year, specifically in three 10-day sessions held in March, July and November. In addition, the IAF has a special program for leaders to meet with experts from other fields and a program to build and finance affordable housing.

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INDUSTRIAL COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, INC. (ICA)
20 Park Plaza - Suite 1127
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 338-0010

The Industrial Cooperative Association, Inc. (ICA) was founded in 1978 to create stable, meaningful jobs for low and moderate income communities through the development of worker-owned companies. ICA works with individuals, community development corporations, state and city governments, churches and foundations to assist in their efforts to create and save jobs. ICA has helped start worker-owned companies in virtually every state and Puerto Rico and in a variety of industries. To help communities build competitive enterprises, ICA provides business feasibility studies and planning, legal assistance, workforce education and program development and education.

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INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY ECONOMICS (ICE)
57 School Street
Springfield, MA 01105-1331
(413) 746-8660

The Institute for Community Economics (ICE) is a national nonprofit organization that provides technical assistance and financing to community-based organizations working to perpetually preserve affordable access to land and housing, primarily in low income areas. Priority for technical assistance is given to community land trusts, limited equity housing cooperatives, mobile home cooperatives and other nonprofit housing development organizations.

ICE designed the Community Land Trust (CLT) model for land and housing preservation in 1967 and currently offers start-up assistance to new CLTs and coordinates a network of more than 90 CLTs operating in 23 states. Technical assistance to both urban and rural groups includes on-site visits, regional seminars and written information focusing on community organizing, incorporation, application for tax-exempt status, property acquisition and development, financing, lease arrangements and negotiations with public agencies.

ICE operates a revolving loan fund (capitalized at $9.6 million) that accepts loans from socially motivated individual and institutional investors. These loans provide short-term, low cost financing primarily for limited equity housing development. Since 1979, the ICE Revolving Loan Fund has placed more than $15 million in loans to several hundred innovative projects in 26 states. The loans have a loss write-off of .02% and no losses to investors. ICE also provides start-up assistance to developing local and regional community development loan funds (CDLF).

A quarterly newsletter called Community Economics and a publications resource list are available. Write or call for the following free information: Technical Services Packet, Lender/Borrower Information and Newsletter Subscription and Resource List.

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INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES (IPS)
1601 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-9382

The Institute for Policy Studies, founded in 1963, is a center for research and policy innovation on domestic and foreign issues. Its primary areas of activity currently include housing, technology, democratic participation, bureaucracy, Third World development, human rights, arms control and United States foreign policy.

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KENTUCKIANS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH
425 W. Mohammed Ali Blvd., Suite 328
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 585-3279

KFTC is a statewide citizen action organization with a goal of social justice. With approximately 2,500 members in Kentucky, the organization is divided into regional chapters which direct the programs of the organization. KFTC has been conducting trainings since its inception in 1982 on a wide variety of issues, including leadership development, lobbying, holding public officials accountable, public speaking, etc. A newer program focuses on economic development training and will be one of the many topics discusses at their conference that is held each November. In addition, KFTC works in collaboration with the Southern Empowerment Projects' internship program.

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MT. AUBURN ASSOCIATES
408 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 625-7770

Mt. Auburn Associates provides a full range of services and support in the field of economic development analysis and strategy. The firm works with federal, state, local and private organizations to develop policies and programs that promote economic growth and stability, job generation and the improved functioning of capital markets. Mt. Auburn has completed strategic development plans for regions in Massachusetts and Connecticut as well as several major evaluations of federal economic development programs.

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MOUNTAIN ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (MACED)
433 Chestnut Street
Berea, KY 40403
(606) 986-2373

The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) provides assistance and financing to stimulate business development that benefits low income people in central Appalachia. MACED was formed in 1976 by ten local groups that needed assistance in developing businesses in their communities but could not hire and maintain the necessary skilled staff. The original objective was to establish an organization that could both provide dependable economic development to local efforts in the mountains and undertake its own development initiatives. These two objectives continue to guide MACED's work.

MACED limits its scope to rural communities in central Appalachia, particularly those in eastern Kentucky.

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NCB DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NCBDC)
1401 I St., NW, #700
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 336-7700

NCB Development Corporation (NCBDC) is the development arm of the National Cooperative Bank. NCBDC was created to provide risk capital and other types of financing to start-up and newly established cooperatives. As a national development finance institution, NCBDC works with developers, intermediary organizations and others to finance existing cooperative businesses, as well as to develop new applications of cooperatives that can be replicated in other areas of the country. NCBDC also works with community-based development organizations whose primary purpose is to assist in economic development for low to moderate income people.

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NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HOUSING COUNCIL
900 Second St., NE, #220
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 789-1754 or 800/284-9165

The National American Indian Housing Council aims to increase the low-income housing opportunities for Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages on reservations and trust lands, and to provide a forum for leaders of Indian Housing Authorities (IHA) to gather, share and learn.

Through advocacy on the federal level, extensive trainings for IHA staff and directors, both formal and informal technical assistance to IHAs, research into Indian housing issues, and contact with its eight regional associations of IHAs, NAIC works toward improving the living conditions and management in Indian Housing.

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES
1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, #416
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-7546

NACAA represents Community Action Agencies (CAAs) fighting poverty across the country. There are close to 1,000 CAAs in the United States which together serve more than 30 million individuals each year through low income weatherization, Head Start, employment and training programs, elderly programs, housing programs and economic development programs.

The National Association provides numerous resources and training events for their members as well as the general public. Founded in 1972, NACAA offers the following services: an annual conference, educational seminars and special conferences, a Certified Community Action Professional Program, research and publications, and technical assistance either directly or through qualified consultants.

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NEIGHBORHOODS
1651 Fuller Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-7766

The National Association of Neighborhoods (NAN) was founded in 1976, as a national nonprofit organization that represents a diversity of neighborhoods, shares information and human resources and works to improve the quality of life and the opportunity for more effective citizen participation at the neighborhood level. NAN membership consists of hundreds of organizations and coalitions that represent thousands of community leaders across the country. NAN has organized national meetings and works with other groups to develop the necessary resources to promote growth and development of neighborhood-based organizations.

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NATIONAL CENTER FOR NONPROFIT BOARDS
2000 L St., NW, Suite 510-S
Washington, DC 20036-4907
(202) 452-6262

Assisting nonprofit boards of directors and trustees reach their fullest potential is the work of the National Center for Nonprofit Boards. With a large selection of materials and services, the NCNB has worked with thousands of board members since its founding in 1988. Services include: a large catalogue of pamphlets, booklets and manuals on all aspects of the work of a board member; Board Member, a bimonthly newsletter; workshops and leadership trainings; and an Information Center that offers individual organizational consultations.

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NATIONAL COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT COALITION (NCRC)
1875 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 986-7898

NCRC is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing distressed communities by promoting fair and equal access to credit for low income minority and underserved individuals and families. The Coalition is comprised of over 430 diverse member organizations including community based organizations, religious institutions, civil rights and fair housing organizations, advocacy groups, state and local government agencies and consumer groups. Since its inception in 1991, NCRC has provided training and opportunities for networking through national and regional conferences, information and research, and other forms of support for members.

Membership dues depend on the operating budget of the applying organization. Services are available to non-members.

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NATIONAL CONGRESS OF NEIGHBORHOOD WOMEN (NCNW)
249 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-6666

The National Congress of Neighborhood Women (NCNW) was formed in 1975 to build a network that provides information, support, recognition and technical assistance to low and moderate income women. NCNW's target population are women who are working to improve the quality of life for themselves, their families and their neighbors.

NCNW is also an organizing member of GROOTS International, a global network of indigenous grassroots women leaders. GROOTS originated at the United Nations Women's Decade Forum in Nairobi, Kenya in 1985 and provides grassroots women leaders with the opportunity to share problem-solving techniques across national boundaries.

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NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 785-1670

The National Council of La Raza is a private, nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation dedicated to promoting the social and economic well-being of Americans of Hispanic descent. La Raza provides technical assistance and programmatic support to establish and strengthen the organizational capacity of Hispanic community-based organizations. La Raza's efforts generally emphasize program development, funding, program operations and management. Assistance is structured to meet the needs of the community organization and may take the form of on-site consultation, training or workshops.

La Raza provides consultation in the areas of fundraising, housing, community development, economic development, employment, health and human services, education, research, policy analysis and advocacy, among others. La Raza also provides many written materials and reports related to these program areas.

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NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGRICULTURAL LIFE AND LABOR RESEARCH (NCALL Research)
P.O. Box 1092
Dover, DE 19903
(302) 678-9400

The National Council on Agricultural Life and Labor Research (NCALL Research) assists sponsors of self-help, farmworker and rural housing in the Northeast, Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions. Its staff has experience with all aspects of rural housing development including procurement of Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) and alternative project funds, procedures for land acquisition, architectural design, project feasibility analysis and community organizing.

NCALL Research is the regional contractor for FmHA to provide technical assistance in self-help housing programs for nonprofit organizations at no charge. Most of NCALL Research's farmworker and rural housing work is concentrated in the mid-Atlantic region. NCALL Research also has a housing counseling component that assists individuals in obtaining mortgage financing from FmHA and local lenders.

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NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LAW CENTER (NEDLC)
2201 Broadway, #815
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 251-2600

The National Economic Development and Law Center (NEDLC), founded in 1969, provides a wide range of technical and resource assistance to groups engaged in community and economic development. NEDLC's services are divided into four categories: legal assistance, planning assistance, program and business development and assistance with financing strategies to attract public and private funding sources.

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NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING ALLIANCE
927 15th St., NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 898-1661

The National Fair Housing Alliance is a membership organization dedicated to providing fair and open housing options for all Americans. As a membership organization, it provides a forum for local fair housing groups to come together and share experiences and resources. The Alliance provides training to local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, banks and individuals to help prevent and detect discrimination in home rental, home sales, and the real estate, mortgage lending and insurance industries. It also coordinates national education and outreach programs to the general public to increase awareness about fair housing.

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NATIONAL FEDERATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CREDIT UNIONS (NFCDCU)
120 Wall St., 10th Fl.
New York, NY 10005
(212) 809-1850

The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (NFCDCU) is the membership association of credit unions serving low income areas in the United States. NFCDCU represents their concerns to the federal government, the credit union regulatory agencies and the credit union movement at large. Through national and regional conferences and individual consultations, NFCDCU meets the special needs of community development credit unions for training and technical assistance.

NFCDCU will work with community groups interested in starting their own credit unions. Technical publications and a quarterly newsletter, the Community Development Credit Union Report, provide current information about the credit union movement. It creates a network through which community development credit unions can exchange ideas and information. NFCDCU also provides technical assistance to credit union members.

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NATIONAL FEDERATION OF HOUSING COUNSELORS (NFHC)
P.O. Box 5607
Savannah, GA 31414
(912) 236-9670

The National Federation of Housing Counselors (NFHC) was founded in 1973 to support counselors, trainers and organizers at the grassroots level. NFHC trains and certifies housing counselors in a variety of professional designations in partnership with member organizations across the country. NFHC also trains local government housing officials in the design and implementation of workable housing programs. Training committee members represent the full range of housing expertise, with special emphasis on shared housing, curriculum development, cooperative housing and nonprofit development.

NFHC publishes a quarterly newsletter and a training manual for housing workers. NFHC membership is 2/3 female and 2/3 minority.

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NATIONAL HOUSING LAW PROJECT (NHLP)
National Office:
2201 Broadway, #815
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 251-9400

Washington Regional Office
122 C St., NW, Suite 220
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 783-5140

The National Housing Law Project (NHLP) acts as a research and support center that provides assistance to legal services attorneys and community development corporations. It also works with federal and state agencies in the creation of administrative regulations and legal and legislative solutions to the housing crisis.

The work of NHLP is concentrated on: the interpretation of laws and regulations applicable to community development corporations and legal services; housing laws, including landlord/tenant law, federal community development programs and management of public housing and FHA-subsidized housing; housing production, rehabilitation, contracting and employment; economic development law; and FmHA and rural housing.

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NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN COALITION (NPRC)
1700 K Street, NW - Suite 500
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 223-3915

The National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. (NPRC) works to further the social, economic and political well-being of Puerto Ricans throughout the United States and in Puerto Rico. The Training and Technical Assistance Unit provides technical assistance to both public and private joint ventures and to private business ventures. NPRC also does community-based policy analysis and holds seminars on issues affecting the Puerto Rican community.

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NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE CORPORATION (NRDFC)
711 Navarro St., #350
San Antonio, TX 78025
(202) 212-4552

The National Rural Development and Finance Corporation (NRDFC) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides direct loans for economic development projects in rural areas that benefit low to moderately low income residents. NRDFC offers technical assistance to those organizations to which it is likely to provide financing. At the same time, the technical assistance helps groups to develop projects that will be eligible for NRDFC financing.

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NATIONAL RURAL HOUSING COALITION (NRHC)
601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, #850
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 393-5229

The National Rural Housing Coalition (NRHC) is a national organization lobbying exclusively to improve housing opportunities for rural people living in poverty. NRHC was formed in 1969 and lobbies to persuade Congress to adopt legislative policies and programs beneficial to low income rural people in need. Over the years the NRHC has worked to ensure that federal rural housing resources are targeted to the most needy, to design new programs and improve existing programs to serve the rural poor, to advocate adequate funding levels for rural housing programs and to promote a nonprofit delivery system for rural housing and community development programs.

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NATIONAL TRAINING AND INFORMATION CENTER
810 North Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 243-3035

NTIC serves as a resource center for grassroots community groups, students and others working to be active in their communities. Through direct-action organizing techniques, intensive one-week training sessions, consulting and technical assistance and training when requested, NTIC has trained hundreds of organizers and been involved in a wide range of community issues.

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NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 673-4000

The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides financial support for its nationwide program to save America's historic heritage. The Trust works to preserve historic buildings, public places and whole neighborhoods that enrich the present by bringing the past to life.

At the neighborhood level, the Trust works to preserve historic inner city areas for existing residents. The Trust addresses the problems of displacement through the Inner City Ventures Fund which awards grants and low-interest loans that enable community-based groups to buy and rehabilitate properties in their communities.

The Office of Financial Services provides grants and loans to neighborhood organizations.

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ORGANIZE TRAINING CENTER
442A Vicksburgh St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 821-6180

The Center provides several 4-day training sessions per year on grassroots organizing and community organizing issues. Internships with the Center are available for additional long-term training and experience, and the staff does training on a consultant basis for nonprofit organizations and boards.

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ORGANIZING & LEADERSHIP TRAINING CENTER
25 West Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 728-9100

This training center develops and supports a network of community development organizations in the New England area. Most of these organizations are affiliated with congregations in Massachusetts, and receive ongoing organizational and leadership training from the Center. Each year, an annual two-day conference attracts members and nonmembers who are interested in addressing their community issues.

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PACIFIC INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION (PICO)
171 Santa Rosa Ave.
Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 655-2801

PICO serves a national network of congregation-based community organizations that are building the power of community groups to improve the quality of life of families and neighborhoods. Leadership training seminars, the recruitment and development of professional community organizers, and ongoing consultation and technical assistance are some of the services provided by PICO. Two seminars are held annually, one for seven days and one for three days.

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PEOPLE'S INSTITUTE FOR SURVIVAL AND BEYOND
1444 N. Johnson St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
(514) 944-2354

The People's Institute is a multi-racial national network of anti-racism trainers. Members provide training on racism and institutionalized forms of oppression, education and training in leadership development, networking, personal and community empowerment and basic organizing skills to low-income communities, social change organizations, religious groups, social agencies, peace and justice organizations and other advocates.

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PLANNERS NETWORK
1711 Connecticut Ave., NW, #207
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 387-9887

The Planners Network is a 900-member national organization of nonprofits, community-based organizations and progressive urban and rural planners working at the community level, in public agencies and in academic institutions. It was founded in 1975 and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter consisting of reports and items sent in by members. Local Network members hold forums, provide technical assistance to lower income community groups, influence academic curricula and relate to other progressive professional groups. Planners Network is an organizational member of Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility.

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POVERTY & RACE RESEARCH ACTION COUNCIL
1711 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 207
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 387-9887

The Poverty & Race Research Action Council is a national organization convened by major civil rights, civil liberties and anti-poverty groups. Our purpose is to link social science research to advocacy work in order to address successfully problems at the intersection of race and poverty.

Poverty & Race Research Action Council funds and commissions research tied to local, state and national advocacy strategies, enhances communications between advocates and social science researchers in order to coordinate strategy in the race and poverty area, disseminates ideas and materials, holds conferences and publishes materials focusing on issues of race and poverty.

The advocacy work our research grants support includes any organized effort to eliminate poverty and racially-based disadvantages; litigation, legislation, public education, community organizing and anything else that effectively works for progressive social change. Poverty & Race Research Action Council receives financial support from hundreds of individual donors, as well as from the Rockefeller, Ford, Kellogg, Irvine, Levi Strauss, Boehm and New World Foundations, the impact Fund, the Fund for the City of New York and the Lindheim Memorial Trust.

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REGIONAL COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS
5600 City Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 878-4253

Founded in 1987, the Regional Council focuses on the building of faith-based community organizations in the Delaware Valley (the five-county area surrounding Philadelphia) and the training of leaders. Due to its efforts, several county-wide organizations have been created, dedicated to a variety of community issues, including crime, economic development, housing, education, etc. The Regional Council provides ongoing training to these organizations, and also holds two week-long sessions annually. These sessions are open to the public through an application process, with the tuition and room and board for the week costing $1000. 25-30 people participate in each training.

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RESOURCEWOMEN
4529 South Dakota Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20017
(202) 832-8071

Formerly the Women's Technical Assistance Project, ResourceWomen was formed in 1983 by women working in poor and working poor rural communities to develop the capacity of community based groups and assist their work for change. ResourceWomen has worked with 63 groups in 14 states providing organizational development, skill development, and skill sharing among Black, Native, Hispanic, Deaf, Refugee, and Appalachian women.

ResourceWomen makes available the following publications: Religious Funding Resource Guide, Organizational Development Tools; Behind the Glitter: The Impact of Tourism on Rural Women in the Southeast, and Women of the Rural South: Economic Status and Prospects.

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SOUTHERN COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT FUND (SCDF)
P.O. Box 3005 - 1006 Surrey Street
Lafayette, LA 70502
(318) 232-9206

The Southern Cooperative Development Fund (SCDF) is a minority owned and staffed development bank that provides loans and management assistance to cooperatives, community economic development organizations, small businesses and cooperatives. These borrowers and beneficiaries then become stockholders in SCDF. Total assets of SCDF are in excess of $20 million.

SCDF was created to support projects in a limited geographic area that encompasses Alabama, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Fees are negotiable.

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SOUTHERN EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
323 Ellis Ave.
Maryville, TN 37801
(615) 984-6500

SEP was created in 1986 by a consortium of community organizations in Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee to recruit and train community organizers. It is a multi-racial, membership-run organization that helps citizens solve problems in their community by challenging racism and institutionalized oppression.

SEP holds an annual 6-week training school in beginning in July for 12-15 people. In addition, a fundraising school for the same number of people takes place over one year, with regional gatherings on a regular basis. The fundraising school teaches the basics of the trade as well as long-term strategy, and is designed to help reduce the alienation that development staff often feel by being isolated in the office writing grants. Both the organizing and fundraising school has an application process, and cost $2000 and $2500 to attend, respectively. If an individual is not sponsored by an organization, the fee may be reduced.

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SOUTHERN NEIGHBORHOODS NETWORK (SNN)
P.O. Box 121133
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 292-1798

Southern Neighborhoods Network (SNN), founded in 1975, publishes Southern Communities, a bi-monthly newsletter focused on community and economic issues affecting the southeastern United States. Included are articles on community economic development, community analysis of the economy, community organizing, solutions to unemployment, housing rehabilitation and new construction, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) activities, as well as plant closings and labor issues. Regular features include profiles of state or local community groups, news updates on local and regional organizations, resources (booklets and audio-visuals), and a calendar of upcoming conferences and training opportunities.

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THE UNION INSTITUTE
Office for Social Responsiblity
1731 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20009-1146
(202) 496-1630

The Union Institute, like most of higher education, subscribes to three general purposes: to offer degree education of excellence; to generate new contribution to knowledge, art and culture; and to provide public service. The Institute distinguishes itself from most universities through the importance it places on the service component of its mission. In fact, in its degree programs, it requires its baccalaureate and doctoral candidates to examine the social implications of their disciplines and fields of professional activity.

The Institute is the first university to establish an Office for Social Responsibilities (OSR). OSR houses the University's Center for Public Policy, established in 1985 with a principal focus on issues impacting the nonprofit sector. In 1990, The Union Institute created its Center for Women to better link academic-based women's studies and community-based women's initiatives; it too is a component of OSR. Beyond housing the two centers, OSR has as its purpose extending the contribution of this and other universities to social, economic and political justice in the broader community. IN 1994, it added a director to develop and implement a plan of activities consistent with that mission.

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UNITED CONNECTICUT ACTION FOR NEIGHBORHOODS
PO Box 6422
Hartford, CT 06126
(203) 296-9946

With a goal of creating permanent institutions that can address community needs, UCAN works on a consultant basis with new or existing nonprofit community organizations. All training and assistance is developed in response to the unique situation of the organization, and fees for the service are negotiated. Areas of assistance include organizational development, issue development, staff and leadership training, and fundraising assistance. Most of their work is in Connecticut, although some is done outside the state as well.

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WESTERN ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS
412 Stapleton Building
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 252-9672

WORC is a regional federation of grassroots organizations: the Western Colorado Congress, the Dakota Resource Council, Dakota Rural Action, the Northern Plains Resource Council, the Powder River Basin Resource Council and the Idaho Rural Council. These organizations strive to protect natural resources, family farms, and rural communities, including sustainable economic development. Members are farmers, ranchers, small business people, and working people.

WORC provides leadership development and research assistance to its member organizations in order to increase their effectiveness on regional and national public policy decisions that affect their communities. An annual four-day organizing and leadership development training held in Montana is open to members and non-members. In addition, WORC produces several regular newsletters.

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WESTERN STATES CENTER
Mailing Address: PO Box 40305
Portland, OR 97240
Street Address: 310 SW 4th
Suite 1140, 97204
(503) 228-8866
www.westernstatescenter.org

WSC offers a comprehensive eight-month advanced leadership mentorship project for organizers and leaders as well as a four-day annual training event, and shorter trainings provided upon request on topics relating to organizational development, fundraising, community organizing, community economic development, etc. WSC, founded in 1986, works in eight western states, including Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada and Alaska.

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WOMEN'S INSTITUTE FOR HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.
43 Kingston St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 423-2296

The Women's Institute is a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 to provide assistance to organizations nationwide that seek to expand housing and economic opportunities for low-income women and their children. They have a two dimensional approach to transferring knowledge and skills. The first is through the development of housing and real estate projects. The second is through their information and education program. The Women's Institute provides a number of services to support organization including: intensive technical assistance, publications, participatory workshops in communities across the country, and resource information.

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WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
861A Broad St.
Providence, RI 02907
(401) 941-2900

Founded in 1979, the WDC is involved in many aspects of housing production and management for low income people. In addition to developing its own housing which it manages through a subsidiary, WDC provides technical assistance to other nonprofits in the design, planning, financing and financial structuring of housing developments, as well as in construction management, fund development and organizational development. Throughout its work, WDC's work is guided by three principles: first, to serve those at the edge of homelessness; second, to involve the prospective client group in creating housing that will suit the client's needs; and third, to construct, design and restore properties such that they blend with and strengthen the rhythms and patterns of the surrounding neighborhood's fabric. WDC currently works in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

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WOMEN WORK! The National Network for Women's Employment
1625 K St., NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 467-6346

This membership organization is dedicated to empowering women from diverse backgrounds and assisting them to achieve economic self-sufficiency through job readiness, education, training and employment. The organization collects data, disseminates information, provides training and technical assistance, and acts as a communication link to programs, agencies and educational institutions. It also has an advocacy program/public policy program that works to create and strengthen programs and policies that affect women.
 
 


 

 

 

 

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