Stories & Impact
Elevating Community Voices. Demonstrating Real Impact. Shaping the Narrative.
Community development is more than programs and projects. It’s people, progress, and possibility. We amplify the work of our members by sharing stories, data, and insights that show how CDCs strengthen neighborhoods and why their work is essential to a thriving St. Louis.
Partnership
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Collaboration
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Stronger Together
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Partnership · Collaboration · Stronger Together ·
What We Do
We Tell the Story of Community Development….. Together
We work with our members and partners to share a unified, powerful story about the impact of community development organizations through
CBN Member Bright Spots and projects driving local impact and change.
Our Community Builders Exchange Monthly Newsletter on local community development work.
Member Stories highlighting regional community impact and progress.
From the Field op-eds sharing ideas on community development issues.
A network-wide impact report every two years
Public education campaigns about what CDCs do
An annual convening to celebrate collective impact
Our Focus
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Sharing Member Stories That Show Real Impact
We highlight the people and organizations driving neighborhood change every day through member profiles, case studies, and short-form videos to align stories with policy and funding priorities.
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Publishing the CBN Network Impact Report
We use data and storytelling together to show the full impact of our network, identify trends, strengths, and gaps and create a visually accessible Network Impact Report. These findings are shared publicly to support transparency and trust and collective advocacy and investment efforts.
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Building Public Understanding of CDCs
We help residents, funders, and policymakers better understand what CDCs do and why they matter with plain-language educational content tailored for all audiences. We regularly refresh these campaigns to reflect emerging community priorities.
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Celebrating the Work at an Annual Convening
Each year, we bring the community together to reflect, learn, and celebrate progress at our Community Development Family Reunion. We celebrate member stories, achievements, and innovationsand engage funders, policymakers, residents, and partners.
What Changes Because of this Work
A Stronger Narrative. A Stronger Sector. Greater Investment.
By sharing consistent, data-informed stories, we shift how community development is seen and supported:
CDCs are increasingly recognized as essential partners in neighborhood stability
Funders and policymakers align around a shared understanding of impact
The sector speaks with a unified, trusted voice
Public awareness of CDCs grows, strengthening trust and support
More investment flows into community development work
How We Measure Progress
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Storytelling Reach & Engagement
Increased collaboration, visibility and recognition of CDC contributions across sectors
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Media & Partner Visibility
Amplifying CBN/member work and CBN narratives in public platforms
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Access to Resources
Amount of funding or capital leveraged through partnerships and number of connections made between members and partners
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Policy & Funding Influence
Funder or policymaker engagements influenced by CBN outreach, with an increase in funding directed to CDCs and community development work