COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES & POLICY CHANGE
Advancing Policy. Unlocking Resources. Strengthening Communities.
We work alongside community development organizations to advocate for the shared policies, funding, and systems needed to build strong, stable neighborhoods across St. Louis. Grounded in member data and real community experience, our advocacy turns local insight into collective action and lasting change.
Community Development
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Policy Advocacy
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Resources
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Community Development · Policy Advocacy · Resources ·
What We Do
We Turn Community Voice into Action
Grounded by data from our Annual Mission Member Assessments, we work together to identify policy priorities and calls to action for St. Louis City & County in order to move the needle forward for the entire region. Through regular meetings for members to engage with elected officials, policy experts, foundations, local and state/national advocacy organizations, we:
Establish a Unified, member-driven policy agenda
Coordinate advocacy campaigns with clear goals
Equip members with tools, messaging, and data to engage decision-makers
Build relationships with policymakers, funders, and institutions
Our Focus
Expanding Funding for CDCs
We work to bring more public and private funding to community development organizations so they can operate sustainably, not just project to project. We push for general operating support using network data and research to demonstrate need, track and share outcomes to strengthen the case for investment.
Driving a Unified Policy Agenda
We align our network around shared priorities so decision-makers hear a clear, consistent message, using member data to identify top policy needs, co-creating and publishing an annual Policy Agenda, and regularly updating priorities to reflect emerging trends and evolving community needs.
Targeted Advocacy Campaigns
We organize focused advocacy efforts tied to real-time decisions, such as budgets, funding opportunities, and policy changes, by developing concise, data-driven policy briefs, equipping members for collective outreach, and coordinating participation in meetings and advocacy days.
Unlocking New Funding Partnerships
We expand access to shared back-office supports like accounting and legal services, helping organizations improve efficiency, strengthen operations, and focus on community impact.
What Changes Because of This Work
Stronger Systems. Greater Investment. Better Outcomes.
Thanks to the support of our partners and members, CBN members have easier access to policy updates, upcoming initiatives, and opportunities to learn about the systems impacting community development. Our advocacy leads to real shifts in how community development is funded and supported:
Policymakers and funders adopt reforms that expand and streamline resources
Policymakers and funders integrate CBN recommendations into budgets, programs, and funding decisions
Public agencies establish consistent, flexible funding streams
New partnerships bring additional investment into communities
Members have a stronger, more unified voice in decision-making
In 2018, we identified expanding the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the City of St. Louis and creating an Affordable Housing Trust Fund in St. Louis County as our main priorities. In 2020, we celebrated the creation of the St. Louis County Affordable Housing Trust Fund!
BUILDING BRIDGES AND ADVOCATING FOR POLICIES THAT STRENGTHEN OUR CIVIC MUSCLE
The May 16th, 2025 tornado underscored the need for coordinated equitable recovery measures. CBN’s Building Resilient Communities After Disaster: Strategies for Inclusive Recovery offers place-based strategies that leverage the expertise of our network to preserve affordable housing, support small businesses, and strengthen neighborhoods. Developed with input from our Civic Capacity Committee, Board, and local and national partners, the guide provides actionable steps for resident-centered recovery, funding approaches, policy guidance, and case studies on aligning public and private investment.
The guide outlines the vital role Community Development Corporations play in driving equitable, long-term recovery. It highlights CDCs’ history and impact, short-term strategies for immediate relief, and long-term investment planning for resilience. The guide also connects the City of St. Louis’ 2023 Affordable Housing Report strategies with tornado recovery, with additional anti-displacement approaches, and lessons learned from other cities. With explicit roles for key players, intentional recovery activities, and practical steps for St. Louis, the guide provides references, resources, local ordinances, and measures of success to support place-based recovery and resilient communities.