Asset Based Community Development

What is Asset Based Community Development?

Asset Based Community Development (or ABCD) started at Northwestern University and is a large, global and growing movement that considers local assets the primary building blocks of sustainable community development. Building on the skills of local residents, the power of local associations, and the supportive functions of local institutions, asset-based community development draws upon existing community strengths to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future.

Above: The ABCD Institute faculty in North America; pictured in the middle is Lisa Hadden,
President & CEO of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Pleasant, MI.
Picture courtesy of the Asset Based Community Development Institute.

ABCD in Mid Michigan

Middle Michigan Development Corporation (MMDC) and the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce (MPACC), in collaboration with the Small Business Initiative Council of Clare and Isabella Counties, are bringing Asset Based Community Development to Clare County. Through a grant from USDA Rural Development, MMDC and its partners have identified three communities in Clare County to pilot this important initiative. The communities are Surrey Township, Hayes Township, and Lake George. Leaders in each of these communities have volunteered to participate in a full-day training to learn how to map the assets of their communities and how to create a capacity inventory for the citizens of each community. Once the mapping and inventory have begun, the leaders will learn how to mobilize individuals to develop relationships around the assets and capacities for the betterment of their community. Lisa Hadden is serving as the Lead ABCD trainer in these communities on behalf of MMDC.

This is not a “needs assessment” approach which identifies community weaknesses and needs which gives community members a Deficiency Orientation to their community. Rather, ABCD means “building communities from the inside out” to identify and connect current community assets and individual gifts, talents and skills to harness and mobilize the community. This is called a Capacity Identity approach.

Lisa Hadden, ABCD Practitioner

Ms. Hadden is recognized as an international expert on ABCD and has extensive experiences over the last 18 years using this approach with urban core and remote rural communities in both developing healthy community initiatives and identifying and developing entrepreneurs. Past clients include the American Academy of Pediatrics, Saginaw Public Health Department, College of Human Services at SVSU, and Middle Michigan Development Corporation.

Businesses, organizations and non-profits who are interested in engaging in Asset Based Community Development initiatives can contact Lisa Hadden, President & CEO, Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, by phone (989-772-2396) or email lhadden@mt-pleasant.net  for more information.