Field Building: Protecting Community Development in Times of Uncertainty
M.U.R.P. Capstone 79
The client for this capstone project is the Community Opportunity Alliance (COA), a national nonprofit organization with a mission to lead the community development field and its partners in shaping and influencing strategies that advance community prosperity. They strive to build the community development field through their Seven Pillars:
- Convening the Community
- Nurturing the Field’s Identity
- Grounding Shared Values in Research
- Building the Field’s Capacity
- Advocating as an Alliance
- Elevating Community Developers’ Voices
- Engaging Private Funders to Support Community Development
Local community development organizations (CDOs) work in low- and moderate-income communities to develop affordable housing and commercial space, support small business development, and provide social services. COA’s work strengthens the field of nearly 6,000 local CDOs and 37 state and regional associations. They are committed to creating conditions where residents can shape the destiny of their neighborhoods.
