Navigating Community Development

This book describes the evolution of the community development sector over the past 50 years, and it presents a framework and road map for how community development organizations can advance their mission through strategic partnerships that utilize their core competencies. The authors describe the current community development ecosystem, define a range of essential community development competencies, and demonstrate, through seven case studies, how using comparative advantages built on core competencies can improve outcomes for communities. By recognizing and leading with their competencies and strengths, organizations can bring their specialized areas of expertise to address complex and interconnected community challenges, and effectively meet their missions and objectives.

Features seven case studies highlighting current, relevant community development partnerships Provides historical and theoretical context for the community development sector today Proposes a pragmatic framework for organizations to address community development challenges Provides a comprehensive description of the community development ecosystem, its major actors, and how it functions Gives guidance to practitioners, policy makers, funders, and academics on how to best position community development efforts now and in the future Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Robert O. Zdenek has been a community development leader for 40 years. He has led several national and local organizations, published over 30 articles, served on 20 board of directors, consulted with 35 organizations, and taught at New School University, USA.

Dee Walsh is a housing and community development professional, author, and teacher with expertise in real estate finance, program development, and strategic planning. She has held executive positions and served on the boards of local, regional, and national community development organizations.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. The Important Work of Community Development.- 3. The Background and History of Community Development Organizations.- 4. Understanding the Community Development Ecosystem.- 5. Community Development Core Competencies.- 6. Advancing Community Development through Competencies and Comparative Advantages.- 7. Case Studies of Partnerships Utilizing Comparative Advantages.- 8. Lessons from the Case Studies.- 9. The Community Development Ecosystem: The Next Generation.- 10. Implications for Community Development Practice.- 11. Recommendations and Guide Posts for Navigating Community Development.