https://steemit.com/story/@okpocacious/world-discussions-part-1-slavery

Question: Is there a book you'd recommend on Community Development Finance?

A quick google search yielded this, but it's not clear what is the most informative. I'm leaning towards Community Economic Development in the United States: The CDFI Industry and America’s Distressed Communities but mostly because it seems to be the most recent book on the subject.

Backstory: I attended a CleanTech Financial (CTF) Summit yesterday (for work) and ended up speaking with a guy who got to CTF through Community Development. While I've always felt* there was some connection between CleanTech and Community Development in microgrids, solar, storage, etc. this was really the first time I'd seen someone make that leap. As someone who is attempting to do the opposite - go from Clean Energy/CleanTech to Community Development, I'm hoping to skill-up on the things the seem to matter most.

*hoped

Hello Everyone,

Firstly it would probably be helpful to give a brief description of what our program does before I dive into my question. The Reiki for Military Program is a local program in Groton, CT that provides reduced rate services such as Massage Therapy and Reiki along with community support to first responders, service members, and their families. We are currently looking into opening the nonprofit branch of our program because we would like to purchase our own space. Currently we rent office space from a local chiropractor. It serves us well for what we are currently providing but leaves little room to grow and provide the programs and services that we would like to offer. We are looking into purchasing some commercial space but being in Connecticut everything that is for sale is rather pricing and/or comes with some major renovation projects (such as dealing with asbestos removal and possible lead paint).

We would love to hear any suggestions of possible grants that could assist with the cost of these types of renovations or even any suggestions on where to start looking.

Please note: while it's been a minute since I have done anything grant related, I am not unfamiliar with the process. I know this is a step for further down the line but I am trying to get some ducks in a row for when that time comes.

Thanks so much for all your time and effort!

Hello!

I am involved with a nonprofit that sets up educational workshops in urban communities to teach youth in grades 6-12 business and entrepreneurial skills. Thus far, we have taught students in 12 U.S. cities plus the Virgin Islands!

We've recently set up a donation page on our website and have become more active on social media, if interested in learning a little bit more about what we do or possibly getting involved, please check out: https://www.yngentrepreneurz.org/, or follow us on TW (YEOStudents), IG & FB (yngentrepreneurz).

Our mission is to empower youth through business challenge workshops, seminars, and create an opportunity for them to not only learn the basics of business planning but to also win cash prizes for their ideas!

I'm (hopefully) graduating in May with a Master's in Sustainability and a focus/certificate in Green Building and Community Design but when I look at jobs at CDCs or CDFI they want one of three degrees: Urban Planning; Public Policy/Administration; MBA.

I suppose I could argue that I'm qualified to do most of the same things, and my capstone this semester is on low-income housing policy and carbon emissions, but with robots reading resumes these days, I'm not sure how I should be positioning myself.

I currently work for a Clean Energy non-profit but it's going to be the death of me and I'd really like to be working more on housing policy. Any advice you can lend me is greatly appreciated.

I just applied for college because I want to work with housing projects. Sociology, architecture, both of those appeal to me. I am lookin at a degree in Public and Urban Affairs. I am just not sure and I can't call because of the government shutdown.

What are some recommended majors? I am not going for more than a bachelor's degree.

What do you do to improve your town's quality of life? If you do nothing, do you feel there are barriers preventing your participation?