Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations
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| Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations | |
|---|---|
| Name | Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations |
| Formation | 1980s |
| Type | Trade association |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Region served | Massachusetts |
Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations The Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations is a statewide membership organization representing community development corporations and neighborhood nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts. The association operates from Boston, Massachusetts and engages with stakeholders including Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and local city councils in municipalities such as Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts. It collaborates with intermediaries like NeighborWorks America, financial institutions such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America, and advocacy groups including National Community Reinvestment Coalition and Local Initiatives Support Corporation.
History
The association traces roots to grassroots efforts in the 1980s when neighborhood leaders in Roxbury, Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts organized alongside entities such as Enterprise Community Partners, Ford Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation to respond to housing crises and urban renewal policy debates in Massachusetts. Early collaborations involved municipal agencies like the City of Boston and state officials from the Massachusetts General Court, and partnerships with legal advocates such as Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation and planning bodies like the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Over time the association expanded its network to include rural constituencies in regions like Berkshire County, Massachusetts and industrial cities like New Bedford, Massachusetts, aligning with national trends exemplified by groups like Habitat for Humanity and policy research institutions such as the Brookings Institution.
Mission and Activities
The association's mission emphasizes equitable development, affordable housing, and neighborhood revitalization, working with funders such as the Kresge Foundation, service providers like United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and educational partners including University of Massachusetts Boston and Harvard Kennedy School. Activities include policy advocacy at the Massachusetts State House, capacity building comparable to programs from AmeriCorps, technical assistance similar to Economic Development Administration initiatives, and training that engages practitioners from Columbia University and Tufts University. It convenes stakeholders including mayors from cities like Cambridge, Massachusetts and Worcester, Massachusetts, philanthropic leaders from Rockefeller Foundation, and federal officials from U.S. Treasury.
Membership and Governance
Membership comprises community development organizations from neighborhoods such as Dorchester, Boston, Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Holyoke, Massachusetts, as well as partners like MassHousing and regional planning commissions such as the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. The governance structure features a board of directors drawn from CDCS, affiliated nonprofits, and institutional partners, with oversight practices informed by standards from Nonprofit Finance Fund and governance models used by Independent Sector and National Council of Nonprofits. Annual meetings bring together delegates, municipal officials, and representatives from statewide offices including the Attorney General of Massachusetts and the Governor of Massachusetts.
Programs and Initiatives
Programs address affordable housing preservation, commercial corridor revitalization, and community wealth building through initiatives that echo models from Community Development Financial Institution Fund and programs by NeighborWorks America. Initiatives include loan funds akin to those operated by MassDevelopment, workforce development collaborations with Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, and equitable planning projects conducted in concert with academic partners like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Suffolk University. The association runs training programs that mirror curricula from ICMA and facilitation practices used by Project for Public Spaces, and it sponsors convenings with journalists from outlets such as The Boston Globe and researchers from Harvard University.
Funding and Partnerships
Funding sources include philanthropic grants from institutions such as the Barr Foundation, contracts with state agencies like the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (Massachusetts), and cooperative agreements with federal agencies including U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Department of Treasury. The association partners with community lenders like Bank of America, community investors such as JPMorgan Chase, and intermediary organizations including Local Initiatives Support Corporation and Massachusetts Housing Partnership. Strategic alliances involve municipal governments like City of Boston, regional workforce boards, and research centers such as Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and policy groups like MassBudget.
Impact and Notable Projects
The association has supported preservation of affordable housing projects in neighborhoods like South End, Boston and redevelopment efforts in post-industrial cities such as Fall River, Massachusetts and Lawrence, Massachusetts, collaborating with developers similar to The Community Builders and finance partners like MassHousing and Enterprise Community Loan Fund. Notable initiatives include technical assistance to community-led master plans in places like Chelsea, Massachusetts and support for small business revitalization along corridors comparable to those in St. Botolph Street Historic District and Newbury Street, often leveraging investments influenced by studies from Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies and Urban Institute. The association's work has been recognized in reports by entities such as The Commonwealth Magazine and incorporated into state policy dialogues at the Massachusetts State House.