Who We Are

The Maryland Asset Building and Community Development Network is a membership-based coalition of nonprofit and government agencies involved in asset building and community development activities in Maryland, along with supportive businesses and individuals. We ensure strong asset building and community development organizations through communication, advocacy, and capacity building activities.

What do "asset building" and "community development" mean?

Asset building is engaging in long-term saving and investment behavior as a means to increasing economic independence. Community development is the economic, physical and social revitalization of a community, led by the people who live in that community. Our members generally work with low-wealth communities or with low-wealth people in mixed-income communities.

A holistic approach to healthy communities

We look at the health of communities holistically. Much like the medical field, ours has "generalists" and "specialists." A generalist may represent a neighborhood or series of neighborhoods, in which the agency uses a multitude of strategies and services to make improvements. A specialist may be an agency working on just one aspect of the problem, such as creating affordable housing, helping the homeless, or working with families toward self-sufficiency. It is all these efforts combined that are needed to make our communities strong, vibrant communities of choice.

Our work is conducted primarily by our volunteers serving on a variety of committees. We welcome new volunteers at any time.

Structure

Board of Directors

Committees
The Maryland ABCD Network currently has the following Committees:

Executive Committee: A Board committee consisting of the five Officers, plus one at-large Board member. Current members are Sally Scott (President), Joann Levy (Vice-President), Kelly Little (Treasurer), Austin Webster (Secretary), and Robert Goldman (At-Large).

Policy Committee: Made up of members and friends with an interest in advocacy. The chair for 2009/2010 is James Kelly of the University of Baltimore School of Law. Please see Policy and Advocacy page. Email us if you are interested in joining this committee.

Communications Committee: A Board Committee overseeing the website and communications of the organization.

Events Committee: This Committee is responsible for planning and implementing the assorted events sponsored by the Network. Email us if you are interested in joining this committee

Awards Committee: Chaired by Jennine Auerbach of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, this committee advertises, promotes, and makes recommendations to the Board for the annual Awards of Excellence. Information for the awards is released each year in the late spring.

Baltimore City Committee: The City Committee concentrates on issues relevant to Baltimore agencies, meeting monthly. Please see Baltimore City Committee page. The co-chairs are Joann Levy and Julia Pierson.

How To Get Involved

Most committees are made up of members, but nonmembers are included in some work. The Baltimore City, Policy, and Events Committees are “self-selected”, meaning those interested in the Committee’s work are invited to join the meetings. Email us to be included in meeting notices of specific open committees.

Staff

Staffing services are provided by The Blandford Group.

Partners

Bank of America

Sponsors

PNC