Advocacy for CDCs

MACDC advocates on behalf of our members and the communities they serve to create the public and private sector policies that will promote equitable community development throughout the state. MACDC focuses particular attention on state policy, which is critical to the success of CDCs and other community based non-profit organizations. 

In the 2023/24 Legislative session, MACDC will continue to support and advocate for policies and programs that advance racial and economic equity by creating healthy communities where everyone lives in housing they can afford, benefits from economic opportunities, and can fully participate in the civic life of their community.

MACDC's top legislative priorities this session will focus on three major areas:
1. Support Community Development Across the Commonwealth, through advocacy to eliminate the sunset for the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) and lift the cap on annual awards.
2. Promote Housing Equity
3. Ensure Equitable Economic Investment & Empowerment 

Our policy priorities and advocacy are guided by the following 5 principles from the MACDC Strategic Plan:

  • Build the power and voice of lower-income people and people of color to shape the future of their communities and their own lives;
  • Expand affordable housing in places where low- and moderate-income people can thrive;
  • Reduce income and wealth inequality across the state;
  • Drive the convergence of community development and community health;
  • Promote racial equity within the field and the Commonwealth.

How We Advocate: We maintain an active presence in the Massachusetts State House and sponsor an annual "Lobby Day" that typically attracts 200 or more CDC leaders and allies to the State House. We also engage local CDC staff, board members and volunteer leaders to participate in the policy making process through participation in various policy campaigns and coalitions, engagement through timely action alerts, and through the MACDC Policy Committee.

Advocacy at the Local, State & Federal Levels: While we spend most of our time working on state policy, we also advocate for similar policy supports at the federal level and with the City of Boston where nearly one-third of our members operate. MACDC's policy efforts do not stop at the State House. Once legislation is passed, we work diligently to ensure its speedy and effective implementation by state agencies. We advocate for regulations and guidelines, and for the necessary funding, that will most effectively support CDCs and other community based non-profit organizations serving lower income communities and families.