The ABC(D)s of Community Engagement: Asset-Based Community Development, Collaboration, and Taking Action

Starting

October 20, 2026

Start Time

9:00 am ET

End Time

12:30 pm ET

Location

Virtual

Event Type

Nonprofit University

Registration Details

Members: $95
Non-Members: $120

Special offer

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Overview

An essential partner for any nonprofit is the local community. Whether defined by a specific geographic area or particular demographic groups, your community’s voice is vital to shaping what you offer and how you offer it.

This course supports you with fundamental knowledge and skills for community engagement. You will learn Asset-based Community Development (ABCD) principles and approaches, as well as best practices for collaborative leadership and assessing the effectiveness of your collaborative work (like networks, partnerships, and coalitions). The course will then dive into taking action: community-based methods for data collection, homing in on issues to act on, and work planning.

 

Key Concepts

  • Basics of ABCD: Principles, “needs” vs. assets, and six types of community assets
  • Collaborative leadership
  • Assessing collaboration
  • Taking action:
    • Data collection for community engagement
    • Identifying organizing issues
    • Action planning

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify the six types of community assets.
  • Contrast focusing on needs vs. focusing on assets in community engagement.
  • Explain the strengths and challenges of collaborative leadership.
  • Develop an action or implementation plan for a project or strategic initiative.

Registration note

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Facilitator(s)

Headshot of NU facilitator Mathew George
Mathew George

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