Building on What Works: Cross-Sector Community Development - Volume 12, Issue 1

In 2012, the Low Income Investment Fund and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco introduced Investing in What Works for America’s Communities, a book that called for an integrated approach to addressing the challenges facing our communities.

Five years later, this issue of the Community Development Investment Review explores innovations and lessons learned from cross-sector practice across a range of issues. The authors examine initiatives designed to strengthen collaborative leadership and effect systems change.

Chapters explore issues such as racial equity, resisting gentrification and displacement, and supporting people in reentry from prison. The issue also includes a series of case study profiles of community quarterbacks working to marshal resources, build trust with residents, and break down silos—offering hard-won lessons for others in the field.

Read the full issue (pdf, 1.1 mb)

The What Works Book Sparked an Ongoing Conversation about Better Interventions for Low-Income Communities

Explores the history and conceptual framework of the Community Quarterback model and looks ahead to its future evolution.

A Hole in Our Vision: Race, Gender and Justice in Community Development

Explores the role of racial and gender equity in an expanded vision for the community development field.

Reflecting on What Works: Disruptive Leaders Are Essential

Leaders in the social sector must be willing to be disruptive to accelerate change in struggling neighborhoods.

How Collaboration Drives Community Development Innovation in Los Angeles

How can local government be a champion for cross-sector collaboration and improve its affordable housing landscape?

Building on the Ambitions and Aspirations of Newcomers

In this interview, Angela Blanchard, President of BakerRipley (formerly Neighborhood Centers Inc.) shares her reflections on the past five years since the publication of What Works and her outlook for the future.

Sparking Change in New England’s Smaller Cities: Lessons from Early Rounds of the Working Cities Challenge

Shares what it takes for cities to lead collaboratively, engage community members, inform decisions with data, and change systems to better promote opportunities for their residents.

The SPARCC Initiative: Fostering Racial Equity, Health, and Climate Resilience in the Built Environment

Learn why three national foundations came together to support collaborative leadership and foster systems change to promote racial equity, health, and climate resilience.

Sustainable Little Tokyo: Resisting Gentrification and Displacement Through Holistic Community Engagement and Development

Learn how a historic neighborhood can preserve its cultural heritage and resist gentrification and displacement, while still being open to community change.

Rural CDFIs Give Voice to a Brighter Future in Rural Regions

Explores the nuances of rural community development and the role of CDFIs in expanding opportunity and strengthening systems in rural regions.

The Role of Community Development in Supporting People in Reentry from Prison

Describes the opportunity for the community development and public safety fields to partner in developing holistic reentry solutions.

The Evolution and Future of the Healthy Communities Movement

Describes the history, progress, and future implications of the Healthy Communities movement.

Building on What Works and Investing in Progress

A reflection on the development and implementation of the Community Quarterback model through the Partners in Progress initiative.

BRIDGE Housing

A case study on BRIDGE Housing Corporation’s experience as a community quarterback in the Portrero neighborhood of San Francisco.

CASA

A case study on CASA’s experience as a community quarterback in Langley Park, MD.

Community Solutions

A case study on Community Solution’s experience as a community quarterback in Brownsville, NY.

East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

A case study on EBALDC’s experience as a community quarterback in Oakland, CA.

Fairfield Community Foundation

A case study on Fairfield Community Foundation’s experience as a community quarterback in Bridgeport, CT.

Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida

A case study on Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida’s experience as a community quarterback in Miami and Hialeah, FL.

Table of Contents