Community Development

Research and community development initiatives that support progress in low- and moderate-income communities

Team members of the Working Cities Challenge, having a round table workshop discussion on their groups and roles.

Applications now open for 2022 community development-focused visiting fellows program

Theme for this year's fellowship is: Equitable Employment in a Post-Pandemic Economy

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October 20, 2021 A graphic created for Racism and the Economy conference, depicting two people standing on blocks looking at the title.

Racism and the Economy: Focus on the Wealth Divide

Ninth event in the series examines how systemic racism contributes to wealth disparities

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Photo of a young woman looking unhappy while working behind the counter of a cafe.

Unstable, unpredictable, and insufficient: Work scheduling in the service sector in New England

New report details the ties between economic stability and work schedule predictability

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What We Do

Empty street of a small town.

Supporting Growth in Smaller Industrial Cities and Rural Communities

Research and field support for New England’s smaller cities and rural communities focusing on efforts to improve prospects for their low- and moderate-income residents.

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A photo of a balance beam with a house and money on each side

Advancing Household Economic Security and Equity

Strategies and targeted efforts to ensure that lower-income households have the tools and means to be financially stable and fair access to opportunities to prosper economically.

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Expanding Employment Opportunities

Research and engagement efforts to promote better employment opportunities for lower-income individuals.

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Tracking and Elevating Low- & Moderate-Income Issues

Ongoing research and interactions with First-District organizations and constituents to build understanding and promote awareness of challenges facing New England’s lower-income residents.

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Programs & Initiatives

Racial Wealth Inequalities

We are examining the causes of significant racial inequities in regional economic conditions—particularly evident in New England’s large racial wealth gap—to help identify and advance policies for reversing this trend.

Increasing the Quality of Jobs

Many low-wage jobs do not provide workers with economic security. This initiative seeks to upgrade the current low-wage jobs in our economy to rebuild a strong middle class—an outcome that better serves workers, businesses, and communities.

Working Cities Challenge

Building civic infrastructure through leadership and cross-sector collaboration to spur and accelerate economic resurgence and growth in smaller industrial cities.

Early Child Care for Working Parents

The Early Child Care for Working Parents Initiative recognizes that child care access affects the financial health and job prospects of working parents. The goal is to make high-quality early care a successful part of the workforce infrastructure.

Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) internship program

The Boston Fed’s long-standing high school internship program for local low-income youth that combines employment opportunities with applied, research-based workforce/life-skills enrichment.

Investing in America’s Workforce

The Boston Fed is supporting a Federal Reserve System-wide initiative aimed at improving outcomes and investments for workers and businesses.

Reinventing Work Initiative

A partnership with Commonwealth Corporation and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to explore opportunities to collaborate with employers on redesigning entry-level jobs to better support business and worker growth.

Services & Resources

Internships and Co-ops

The Boston Fed offers a variety of paid and unpaid internship and co-op opportunities to high school and college students interested in economic research, community development, technology, finance, accounting, human resources, and other fields.

Education Resources

The Boston Fed recommends quality education resources from the Federal Reserve System and other reputable sources.

Community Reinvestment Act

The Community Reinvestment Act requires the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to assess each state member bank's record of helping to meet the credit needs of its local communities consistent with safe and sound operation.

Publications & Data

Featured

Invested

Series

Invested

An interview-based publication focused on a range of community voices speaking to issues affecting low- and moderate-income New Englanders.

Featured

A $15 Minimum Wage in New England: Who would be affected?

2016 Series

Community Development Issue Briefs

A $15 Minimum Wage in New England: Who would be affected?

by Anmol Chaddha

Featured

The Color of Wealth in Boston

The Color of Wealth in Boston

by Ana Patricia Muñoz, Marlene Kim, Mariko Chang, Regine O. Jackson, Darrick Hamilton, and William A. Darity Jr.

Unstable, unpredictable, and insufficient: Work scheduling in the service sector in New England

2021 Series • 21–4

Community Development Issue Briefs

Unstable, unpredictable, and insufficient: Work scheduling in the service sector in New England

by Daniel Schneider

In Conversation: Lash Nolen on Health Inequities, Vaccines, and Nurturing Community Trust

Invested

In Conversation: Lash Nolen on Health Inequities, Vaccines, and Nurturing Community Trust
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Opportunities for Stabilizing the Most Fragile Part of the Child Care Market—Infant and Toddler Care

2021 Series • 21–1

Community Development Field Notes

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: Opportunities for Stabilizing the Most Fragile Part of the Child Care Market—Infant and Toddler Care

by Sarah Ann Savage

Proposal to Offset Families’ Child-Care Costs Could Enhance Equity by Dramatically Cutting Poverty Among People of Color Across New England

2021 Series • 21–3

Community Development Issue Briefs

Proposal to Offset Families’ Child-Care Costs Could Enhance Equity by Dramatically Cutting Poverty Among People of Color Across New England

by Marybeth J. Mattingly and Jess Carson

Policy Matters: More Equitable Access to Paid Sick Leave in the Northeast

Invested

Policy Matters: More Equitable Access to Paid Sick Leave in the Northeast
Pandemic response reveals potential for more equitable paid sick leave coverage in the Northeast

2021 Series • 21–2

Community Development Issue Briefs

Pandemic response reveals potential for more equitable paid sick leave coverage in the Northeast

by Sara Chaganti

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Events

Featured

April 8, 2019

Community Development Advisory Council Meetings

Roundtable Discussion and Questions

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March 19, 2019

Fintech for Social Impact

Featured

December 19, 2018

Savings Innovation Convening

Savings Innovation Convening

Featured

December 3, 2018

Community Development Advisory Council Meetings

Roundtable Discussion and Questions

Featured

November 29, 2018

Collaboration for Inclusive Economic Development

Featured

October 31, 2018

Raising the Floor: Strategies that Make Jobs Work for All
October 15, 2021

Essential Today, Essential for the Future

Latinos and an Equitable Labor Market Recovery
September 9, 2021

Racism and the Economy Series

Racism and the Economy: Focus on Health
February 19, 2021

President's Speeches

President Rosengren to speak about the economy and monetary policy

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People People

Leadership

Contributors

Authors

Visiting Scholars & Fellows