Economics of Community Development

Commit to building knowledge and understanding as an ongoing practice in your life. You can do this with your mind—through the articles, books, podcasts, and videos we share in our newsletter—or with your body, by exploring your city’s restaurants, parks, churches, libraries, and neighborhoods beyond your own.

Get to know all of San Antonio with Know Your Neighbor. We’ll help. You can also explore our Narrative Change Cohorts to commit to 15 months of learning alongside other San Antonians.

Learn to talk to your friends and family about why you care about local poverty and inequity. It takes practice. And it can take courage. But as you learn, practice talking about what you’re learning. You don’t have to berate people or be a bore. Just share what you’re learning—at work, school, church, at family dinner, wherever you can. If you talk about these things, you’ll plant seeds of curiosity in others.

Need a place to practice? Sign up for our events like Third Thursdays and Shared Tables.

Often, the best place to start is the place where your own story, life experiences, and expertise meet up with local challenges. Nonprofits and community groups can find plenty of general volunteers. But they may need someone exactly like you, with your unique talents and background mix of experiences.

Talk to local nonprofit leaders. Talk to community advocates. (Again, Know Your Neighbor events are a great place to meet them!) Find out where you fit and can be most effective.

San Antonio has effective nonprofits addressing poverty and economic segregation. Don’t underestimate the value of consistent, long-term investment.

Choose a well-run, community-based nonprofit and support it regularly. To start, explore nonprofits that have completed the H. E. Butt Foundation’s capacity-building program, and look for more recommendations through Know Your Neighbor.