Community Development Resources

Helping banks engage and invest in their communities is the core mission of the ABA Foundation. We develop resources to deepen partnerships between banks and nonprofits as well as foster cross-sector strategies that equip and empower banks of all sizes to drive transformational economic change.

Community Conversations: Keys to Engaging Communities provides a framework for banks to deepen partnerships with communities and advance inclusive economic solutions. The guide offers a community engagement assessment to help bankers reflect on their current engagement strategies. It aims to inspire and equip bank leaders to listen to community members in new ways and build awareness of community members’ financial needs and challenges.

The Power of Collaboration: A Guide for Nonprofits to Partner with Banks encourages nonprofits to be intentional and strategic in establishing relationships with banks. The guide provides nonprofits with insights into how banks operate and are regulated, as well as actionable steps for pursuing these relationships. The recommendations are aimed at helping nonprofits establish positive, productive relationships with banks.

To Come in 2026:

Ideas to Impact Report: A Framework for Influencing Banking’s Next Century, offers ideas from bankers, community leaders and changemakers for how banks can drive economic transformation in the century ahead, in honor of the ABA Foundation’s 100th anniversary in 2025.

The Power of Collaboration 2.0: A Practical Guide for Nonprofits to Build, Sustain and Scale Partnerships with Banks is a practical, step-by-step resource to help nonprofits build partnerships with banks to reach shared goals, foster mutual respect and make measurable impact. The guide will cover how to start a partnership from scratch, how to manage and strengthen the relationship over time, and how to troubleshoot challenges before they derail progress.

If you have questions about these resources or need additional guidance, contact CommunityEngagement@aba.com.

Engage With Your Community

To Come in 2026:

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