Websites for Community-Related Organizations

Many organizations are working in support of communities to improve the lives of residents throughout the U.S. Here are just a few.

• American Institute of Architects: The Institute has advanced the value of architects and architecture since 1857.
• American Planning Association: A non-profit public interest and research organization representing 36,000 practicing planners, officials, and citizens involved with urban and rural planning issues.
• American Society of Landscape Architects: Founded in 1899, the ASLA is a national professional society that represents the landscape architecture profession in the United States.
• Center for Neighborhood Technology: A non-profit organization that helps build prosperous, sustainable communities by linking economic and community development with ecological improvement.
• Citizens for Sensible Transportation: Formerly known as STOP, this is a grassroots organization based in Portland, Oregon, that helps people build better communities with less traffic.
• The Citizens Network for Sustainable Development: CitNet is an independent, non-profit network bringing together US based organizations, communities, and individuals working on sustainability issues across the US.
• Community Associations Institute: A national, non-profit 501(c)(6) association created in 1973 to educate and represent America's 300,000 residential condominium, cooperative, and homeowner associations and related professionals and service providers.
• Congress for the New Urbanism: Advocates the restructuring of public policy and development practices to support the restoration of existing urban centers and towns within coherent metropolitan regions.
• Earth Pledge Foundation: A non-profit communications company seeking to promote the practical benefits of sustainable development—the need to balance human desire for economic growth with the necessity of environmental, cultural, and social preservation.
• Fannie Mae Foundation: Transforms communities through innovative partnerships and initiatives that not only revitalize neighborhoods but also create affordable homeownership and housing opportunities across America.
• Institute for Real Estate Management: IREM has been the source for education, resources, information, and membership for real estate management professionals for more than 70 years.
• International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives: An association of local governments dedicated to the prevention and solution of local, regional, and global environmental problems through local action. Nearly 500 cities, towns, counties, and their associations from around the world are members of the Council.
• Land Trust Alliance: Promotes voluntary land conservation and strengthens the land trust movement by providing the leadership, information, skills, and resources land trusts need to conserve land for the benefit of communities and natural systems.
• Local Government Commission: A non-profit, nonpartisan, membership organization composed of forward-thinking elected officials, city and county staff, and other interested individuals committed to developing and implementing local solutions to problems of state and national significance.
• National Association of Condo Hotel Owners: NACHO is a nonprofit trade association representing the entire life-cycle of the condo hotel segment from interested individuals and buyers, developers, supporting trades, and the individual unit owners.
• The National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM): NBC-CAM grants the Certified Manager of Community Associations^® (CMCA^®) credential to individuals who demonstrate fundamental knowledge and expertise in managing homeowner and condominium associations and cooperatives.
• National Center for Appropriate Technology: With programs in energy, agriculture, and communities, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) provides information and access to sustainable technologies community-based approaches that can help improve the lives of economically disadvantaged people.
• National Civic League: Founded in 1894 by Theodore Roosevelt, Louis Brandeis, and other turn-of-the-century progressives, NCL is an advocacy organization vigorously promoting the principles of collaborative problem-solving and consensus-based decision-making in local community building.
• National Housing Institute: An independent, non-profit organization founded in 1975 that examines the issues causing the crisis in housing and community in America.
• Rails to Trails: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization working with communities to preserve and transform unused rail corridors into trails that enhance the health of America's environment, economy, neighborhoods, and people.
• Sierra Club: Founded in the spring of 1892, the Sierra Club has made a commitment to protecting the Earth and its endangered treasures.
• Sustainable Communities Network: The Sustainable Communities Network seeks to increase the visibility of what has worked for other communities, and to promote a lively exchange of information to help create community sustainability in both urban and rural areas.
• U.S. Bureau of the Census: Collector and provider of timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Seeks to provide a decent, safe, and sanitary home and suitable living environment for every American by fighting for fair housing, increasing affordable housing and home ownership, reducing homelessness, promoting jobs and economic opportunity, empowering people and communities, and restoring the public trust.
• Urban Land Institute: Seeks to provide leadership in the responsible use of land to enhance the total environment.
• Walkable Communities Inc.: A non-profit corporation, established in the state of Florida in 1996, helping communities become more walkable and pedestrian-friendly.