The Business Resource Library connects Consultants, Technical Assistance Providers and students to a variety of learning tools, including sample documents and industry trend topics. This library can quickly provide comprehensive information you may need to assist small businesses during their start-up, stabilization and growth phases. These materials can be downloaded from the links below. This library was built with the collaboration of Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC), Mel King Institute, Lawyers for Civil Rights, and Technical Assistance providers.

Safe, stable, and decent housing has always been central to ensuring health and stability. Today, with the United States focused on containing the COVID-19 pandemic, the broader and longstanding issue of income and housing insecurity has quickly become paramount to the health of an entire nation.To better understand the steps states have taken to prevent homelessness during and after the pandemic, the Eviction Lab and Columbia Law School’s Professor Emily Benfer have developed a policy scorecard for each state, distilling the contents of thousands of newly-released emergency orders, declarations, and legislation into a clear set of critical measures included in, and left out of, state-level pandemic responses related to eviction and housing.

The Arts and Planning Toolkit has been given a reboot to become better aligned with the needs of municipal planners who are doing arts and culture-related work. Each page now follows a consistent outline of tools, resources, and examples to show how ideas may be put into action.

COVID-19 Racial Equity & Social Justice list includes information that we hope will help communities and activists as they work to understand and respond to the moment and for the long haul.

This toolkit is a guide for advocates to replicate the National Housing Trust’s efforts and successfully employ digital, visual and audio storytelling strategies within their advocacy tactics.

Opportunity360 Community Dashboards provide the information necessary to determine where action is most needed and where established programs and policies have been most successful in any neighborhood in the country. These dashboards now allow data comparison for up to three census tracts, anywhere in the US. In the free Opportunity360 Community Dashboards, you will find over 150 indicators from 27 sources.

This guide includes links to free public policy online resources that will help one get a better sense of the entire field.

This guide provides you with in-depth information on degree planning including program structures, concentrations, and skill development and application for a Public Policy career.

This resource will help you learn about the common Master's in Public Policy admission requirements, coursework, and jobs available for graduates.

This is a list of characteristics of white supremacy culture that show up in our organizations. The characteristics listed below are damaging because they are used as norms and standards without being proactively named or chosen by the group. They are damaging because they promote white supremacy thinking.

Created in partnership with Native allies and organizations, the Guide offers context about the practice of acknowledgment, gives step-by-step instructions for how to begin wherever you are, and provides tips for moving beyond acknowledgment into action.

This toolkit focuses on the broader goal of identifying universal themes and values that tie together a range of issues.

This tool reiterates focusing on the positives instead of the negatives when it comes to messaging. Even though the series is called Rights for Renters, it isn’t actually limited to renter issue areas—such as the Critiquing Without Undermining Government brief.

A Progressive’s Style Guide is explicitly multi-voiced and is created with the following commitments. 1) We combat discriminatory language. 2) We seek advice or more information when we’re unsure. 3) When writing, speaking, or using images, we aim to use examples that reflect a broad range of identities and perspectives.

Housing Matters is an online resource for the most rigorous research and practical information on how a quality, stable, affordable home in a vibrant community contributes to individual and community success.

This extensive list of 55 practical on-the-job learning opportunities will help you build customized development plans for your direct reports.

A how-to for the use of the PHIT (below), and a guide on looking at publicly available data through a population health lens.

The Population Health Information Tool (PHIT) is a data portal for Massachusetts health data. As a service of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, PHIT aims to provide data for a healthier Massachusetts.

A podcast that features movement voices, stories, and strategies for racial justice. Co-hosts Chevon Drew and Hiba Elyass will provide you with their fresh takes on race and pop culture, as well as, uplift narratives of hope, struggle, and joy, as we continue to build the momentum needed to advance racial justice.

To imagine radically, means to think big, demand better, and redefine the terms of the struggle; the Radical Imagination podcast delivers all that. The debut season confronts the challenging issues facing our nation, including immigration, the need for big new economic ideas, the impact of climate change, revolutionary approaches to community safety and justice, and more.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) provides guidance on how non-profit hospitals and health plans should develop and report on the benefits and programs they provide to the public. The Attorney General's Community Benefits Guidelines gives expectations on how hospitals and HMOs should determine the health care needs of their communities, plan programs with their community partners, and report those activities to the AGO. This tool allows users to browse and search reports and to download report data.

A pre-2020 census look at the wide dispersal of the nation’s Hispanic, Asian and black populations.

The 1619 Project is a major initiative from The New York Times observing the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. It aims to reframe the country’s history, understanding 1619 as our true founding, and placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of the story we tell ourselves about who we are.

Fundamental questions to ask when taking an internalized racism inventory.

The Move is a movement to rebuild our public’s muscle for democracy. This movement aims to bring together people of all backgrounds who are seeking to facilitate real civic engagement in today’s democracies. The Move rebuilds our public muscle in three ways: We will partner in the design and implementation of at least one civic engagement project each year. We will provide a collaborative learning and knowledge exchange platform on TheMove.MIT.edu and it’s adjacent social media channels for cities, institutions, and community organizations. We will advance learning, experimentation, and innovation in civic design using eight design principles.

This completely free guided interview is for Massachusetts tenants who are being evicted. It is estimated to take between 25 and 90 minutes for a typical tenant to use on their own. It will help you make sure that you respond to your landlord's eviction case correctly.

Thinking about buying a home? MassHousing can guide you through the process.

The Massachusetts Community & Banking Council (the MCBC) has sponsored an annual report on small business lending trends in Massachusetts since 1998. In the Spring of 2019, MCBC launched a new online platform – the Massachusetts Small Business Loan Data Project – that serves as a companion to the most recent report, Small Business Lending in Massachusetts 2008-2017, authored by BankMaps. The Massachusetts Small Business Loan Data Project provides an online data service with interactive access to maps and charts from six (6) national databases related to the subject of small business lending in Massachusetts.

A new interactive mapping tool showing the dramatic demographic, social, and economic changes that have occurred in Greater Boston since 1990. The tool includes data from the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses and from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates for 2010 and 2016.

The site compiles community-level information from various data sources for all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns, and visualizes that data in graphics and charts so it's easy to understand, print out and bring to a community discussion.

A comprehensive resource for data on household financial health, racial economic inequality and policy recommendations to help put everyone in our country on a path to prosperity.

All of the resources, terms, definitions, subsidies and programs one should know to create affordable family housing in Massachusetts.

LISC created this Guide to help affordable housing owners define and pursue measures to reduce the use of energy, water, and harmful chemicals in their properties, reduce waste generated on site, create healthier living environments for residents, and reduce the carbon and environmental footprint associated with residential properties.

Groundworks USA's technical assistance team offers customized strategy, tools, and peer support for those in brownfield-affected communities seeking a more inclusive planning and redevelopment agenda in which everyone can prosper.

This is a database of 286 socio-economic indicators on a wide range of subjects, including demography, education, employment, health, housing, earnings and ancestry covering the Boston metropolitan area.

A podcast for thought-provoking conversations about the current issues, trends, ideas and big questions facing the affordable housing and community development field in the United States.

This resource contains all the past recorded webinars from MASSCAP (Understanding Immigrant Rights, Community Action Impact, Succession Planning, and More!)

These are some of the resources and contacts LC has shared with organizations who are looking to embed racial equity and inclusion into their work.

The Opportunity360 team created the tool below to help states and others interested in opportunity zone eligibility to determine which tracts in their state or region are eligible and how eligible tracts relate to other federal programs and designations.

Strategies and best practices for the creation and preservation of affordable housing, with guides, tools and resources for local boards & committees, planners, municipal staff, developers, and volunteers.

Jennifer Boldry from People For Bikes and Spencer Gardner from Toole Design Group discussed their new open source Bike Network Accessibility tool, and Chris McCahill from SSTI showed how pedestrian accessibility measures have been applied in Sacramento, Calif., Madison, Wisc., and Virginia.

This toolkit describes methods for anti-racism work and the value of caucusing

Carbon Brief has plotted the nation’s power stations in an interactive map to show how and where the US generates electricity.

"What Is Systemic Racism?" is an 8-part video series that shows how racism shows up in our lives across institutions and society: Wealth Gap, Employment, Housing Discrimination, Government Surveillance, Incarceration, Drug Arrests, Immigration Arrests, Infant Mortality

Together with UnidosUS, The Opportunity Agenda completed public opinion and messaging research with this goal in mind: to tell a story of American diversity that reflects our values and our aspirations as a country stronger because of our myriad backgrounds, ethnicities, races, experiences – because of the parts of us that may make us different, but ultimately also make us stronger. This research provides guidance for those using their platforms to reject bigotry while demand action.

Access is a new podcast from the Community Development departments of the Federal Reserve System. Each episode highlights a successful model or program within the four focus areas of our work: people, place, policy and practice, and small business.

The toolkit represents an assemblage of exercises and tips created by LCAT, as well as, a range of advocacy sources and are divided into six sections from topics on “Defining an Issue” to “Mobilizing the People”. Through the use of this toolkit you can begin to work successfully in engaging communities around a common goal. Historically disadvantaged communities have been under-represented or misrepresented for too long. Our communities have always held the power to rise up and take action for their rights. This toolkit offers ways to help communities recognize this power, use it, and bring about social change.

“Greening our Grid” is a fact sheet and a case study detailing MAPC’s new strategy to use municipal aggregation to help build new renewable energy in New England

Parking is a point of contention in communities across Metro Boston, yet many deliberations about the topic occur in the absence of hard data about how much parking we have, and how much we need. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has begun a multi-phase initiative to develop the data and tools that communities need to establish informed, sustainable, and economical parking policies.

In order to help communities across the country—both rural and urban—speak up in a moment in which the administration has made clear its intentions to scale back or dismantle these key federal frameworks, we will be tracking the new federal attacks on inclusive community development here, along with state-level measures enabled and encouraged by the new federal context.

All-America Conversations are designed to help cities and other groups understand residents’ aspirations for the community, the divisions facing the community and, most importantly, the small, specific actions that give people a sense of confidence that we can work across dividing lines.

This interactive online tool uses real-world examples to help policymakers and advocates explore and understand the causes and effects of the racial wealth gap.

Shortly after each major state budget release, MassBudget produce a written Budget Monitor that analyzes major proposals across a range of key areas (e.g. education, transportation, health care, revenue).

This toolkit provides hospital and health system leaders with the tools they need to harness their everyday business operations to improve community health through procurement and purchasing focused on locally-owned businesses.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)'s active transportation network utility score for each segment of roadway indicates how useful that street segment is for connecting residents with schools, shops, restaurants, parks, and transit stations.

A well curated toolkit to support effective and adaptive leadership

This glossary is intended to provide a primer on housing and healthcare terms, so that professionals in both housing and healthcare can work collaboratively to ensure that there is sufficient and high-quality housing and services for older adults.

This interactive online tool illustrates how charging rents affordable to low-income families makes it difficult to finance affordable housing without subsidy.

Mapping tool allows user to explore health disparities in a region

These films can be used to learn about issues of gentrification in America

Tool demystifies community development and public health jargon terms for those working with peers in other sectors

This compendium of resources studied by the gentrification learning community includes broad perspectives for defining and tackling issues of gentrification

Tool provides examples of low-cost measures to calm traffic and enhance safety on municipal streets and state roads

Explore case studies, videos and resources on how to create a shared ownership business enterprise

List of definitions for common terminology for community development and affordable housing

Explore MCBC's compendium of resources on their new website intended for boosting the availability of credit and financial services in low-income communities

This site offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities and the culture at large.

Catalog offers on-site workshops and programs for residents to TAP members

Sample guide outlines Community Development Corporation organizational policies and procedures in line with requirements for federal funding

Mapping tool from HUD allows communities to explore race disparities and fair housing considerations in their area

Local governments can use this tool to assess their communities' compliance with the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule

Toolkit outlines roles for staff in the case of natural disaster to protect properties, residents and ensure business continuity

Guidebooks includes strategies for protecting buildings and residents during natural disasters

Guidebook explains the new AFFH rule and how to plan communities in compliance with fair housing guidelines

Video series is designed to help would-be home buyers and organizations who assist homebuyers

Website gives sample logic models for cross-sector health oriented initatives

Learn about the pro-bono analytics software that nonprofit organizations can use to analyze data

Toolkit includes policy ideas, data and assistance to advance racial economic inclusion and equitable growth

Resource guide includes lessons learned from practitioners on how to advance racial equity in governments

Explore tools and resources to help you measure and describe your program's impact on famillies and communities

Learn about how to effectively address the concerns of those opposed to affordable housing development in their communities

Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy data can be used to explore the extent of housing problems and housing needs, particularly for low income households.

Set of guides on everything for nonprofit boards, from how to take minutes to financial and fundraising issues.

Factsheet covers the positive impact of LIHTC in Massachusetts from 1986-2013

Library provides resources on management related topics including operations, fundraising, HR, communications etc.

This toolkit provides communications strategies for promoting equity and social justice

This series of toolkits can help communities and law enforcement understand strategies to build mutual trust and respect, increase safety in communities, and minimize senseless killings and excessive use of force by police.

Manual provides guidance on how to create and offer effective services for residents

Find local coalitions working towards healthier communities in Massachusetts

Tool provides examples of best practices for how health centers can engage in community improvement projects

Criteria required to become a certified green community from Enterprise

Survey data collected by the U.S. government on housing

The toolkit provides information on housing market trends and research on the links between rising housing costs and poor health outcomes.

Step-by-step guide explains how nonprofit organizations can develop a logic model for program evaluation

This website explains strategies that local officials and volunteers can use to garner support for affordable housing

Website showcases research demonstrating the importance of affordable housing

This how-to guide explains community development data available, how it can be retrieved, and how it can be used

This tool calculates the minimum amount of savings needed by a family to survive a financial emergency

CFED created an interactive state by state ranking of household financial security and policy solutions

This booklet covers the essential elements of developing and sustaining a long-term, local effort to reduce poverty

Compendium of warm-up exercises for group and community meetings

This website offers web based courses and resources on all aspects of non-profit management including development, marketing, and operations

Guide offers step-by-step instructions on how to engage and motivate residents to take an active role in shaping the future of their communities

Online resource to help communities measure progress toward their sustainability goals

Map shows areas of opportunity for childred based on health, educational, social and economic indicators all over the United States

Resource for answering any questions you may have on starting a co-op

Interactive map of the United States showing how states and counties compare in terms of access to opportunity based on economic, education and community indicators

Ideas and strategies for building just, democratic, and resilient communities from all over the world. An initiative started because of Naomi Klein's book, This Changes Everything

This tool provides a framework to help you or your organization craft a persuasive message to generate appeal for your efforts

This tool helps organizations put a dollar value on their impact including affordable housing, education initiatives and other community development programming

CHAPA designed this website to help new homebuyers understand all the steps of the homebuying process in Massachusetts

Our three organizations created this web information portal in 2013 to maximize the impact of these new opportunities and better support communities seeking to launch healthy food retail projects.

The Fair Housing Toolkit brings together available resources to help appointed and elected leaders, municipal planning, housing and development officials, developers, citizen board members, and other volunteers understand how to affirmatively further fair housing.

This is a toolkit on how to invent, adopt or adapt ideas that can deliver better results. It’s quick to use, simple to apply, and designed to help busy people working in development.

In order to improve community developers' capacity to identify and secure grants, the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) has negotiated a highly-discounted rate for GrantStation's online grant research and grant writing tool.

MicroMentor connects entrepreneurs and mentors to build small businesses together.

This toolkit provides resources on two types of DLTA-funded services: an Intermunicipal Agreements Resource Guide and a Regional Health District Resource Guide.

Whether you want to reach wider audiences, engage users more deeply or develop innovative advertising campaigns we have a range of services that can accelerate your digital ambitions.

The following links provide access to robust financial education content for older teens and adults.

Access the PolicyMap online mapping application from any Web browser on any OS and immediately begin creating and saving your own custom, interactive maps.

These guides contain a wealth of information on starting and running your business and also include activities, worksheets, self-assessments, glossaries, and valuable additional resources for you to consult along the way.

Your district has probably changed since you last saw it. What do you need to know?

To help practitioners - and the microenterprise field - move toward long-term growth and stability, FIELD has engaged in extensive research and developed a variety of resources.

microTracker helps microenterprise programs, donors, and investors track the performance and client outcomes of microenterprise organizations nationwide.

In addition to affordability, other factors such as green and sustainable design, development connected to transit, and disaster resiliency are essential in the development of quality homes.

This toolkit is based on a comprehensive literature review of academic and non-academic reports released over the last 10 years.

A safety organizer or coordinator can be the glue needed to hold complex community safety partnerships together. These tools can help you structure this type of position and find the right person for the job.

We produce Case Studies, Guidebooks, Topical Reports, Research and Conference Papers, and Trade Articles that provide practical ideas as well as celebrate the success of the field.

Below are resources describing nuisance abatement strategies.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a methodology that directly addresses the relationship between the physical environment and the incidence of crime.

Below are resources highlighting best-practices for building and sustaining problem-solving partnerships.

As communities around the country seek comprehensive approaches to public safety challenges, the cases below offer instructive lessons for public, private and non-profit leaders on asset and liability mapping.

As technological advances lead to new tools for police and communities dealing with safety issues, the use of technology may increase the effectiveness of traditional crime-fighting techniques.

In seeking to change the practices of businesses and residential properties which are complicit in illegal activity, or which contribute to disorder (such as by selling drug paraphernalia or high-alcohol content beverages), a number of community safety partnerships have used Good Neighbor Agreements.

One pagers on neighborhood safety and crime

Summaries to help you in planning neighborhoods

Tools and checklists from LISC for evaluating safety

Development methods including rain gardens, bioretention, pervious pavement, and green roofs. The toolkit also includes model bylaw language and an LID codes checklist.

We can’t do it alone. In this section are examples and best practices for creating lasting policy and regulatory change, and for strengthening the affordable housing and community development fields.

This basic guide to mixed use zoning presents the fundamentals you need to plan a mixed use bylaw.

Discover some of the affordable housing industry's best financial practices. This section includes capital markets, development financing, project management and asset management.

This toolkit will guide you through seven steps to take during the pre-development phase, each of which will help you better design your affordable housing development.

Salary and benefits information from a range of different types of nonprofits

A compendium of all federal housing, community development, and related programs and issues with both current and historical information.

Checklist and survey templates for you to use door to door.

Create unique data and infographic reports for your neighborhood.