Asset Mapping

Group of children and adults

" If even some of these negative consequences follow from our total reliance upon the needs map, an alternative approach becomes imperative. That alternative path, very simply, leads toward the development of policies and activities based on the capacities, skills and assets of lower income people and their neighborhoods”

From John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight. Building Communities from the Inside Out

An asset map is an inventory of the strengths and gifts of the people who make up a community. Asset mapping reveals the assets of the entire community and highlights the interconnections among them, which in turn reveals how to access those assets.

-From the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Asset Mapping Research

Asset-Based Community Development-An Overview." Paper presented at the Asset-Based Community Development Workshop by Cunningham, G., and Mathie, A.
Synopsis: This paper gives school leaders a solid understanding of asset-based community development and how it is facilitated. Outlines six steps for conducting community asset mapping.
Where to Find this Resource: http://www.synergos.org/globalphilanthropy/02/abcdoverview.htm
Cost: Free to Download

Building Communities From the Inside Out:  A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets
By   John Kretzmann & John McKnight, The Asset-Based Community Development Institute
Synopsis:  This resource gives school leaders a solid grounding in community development and introduces the principles of asset-based approaches to solving problems. 
Where to Find this Resource:  http://www.northwestern.edu/ipr/abcd/orderform.html
Cost: $25 each for 1-9 copies, $22.50 each for 10-49 copies, $20 each for 50-99 copies, $18.50 each for 100+ copies

Community Change: Theories, Practice, and Evidence:  The Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change
Synopsis: This comprehensive book offers school leaders and personnel, as well as community members, a grounding in the evidence and theories that underpin community development and asset mapping.
Where to Find this Resource: http://www.aspeninstitute.org/site/c.huLWJeMRKpH/b.2582301/
k.B970/Community_Change_Theories_Practice_and_Evidence.htm
Cost: Free to Download

Fundamental Principles of Asset-Based Community Development.  Bohach, A.  Journal of Volunteer Administration
Synopsis: Summarizes the principles, characteristics, and requirements of asset-based community development and identifies critical barriers.
Where to Find this Resource: Journal of Volunteer Administration, v15 n4 p22-29 Sum 1997
Cost: Unknown

A Primer for a School's Participation in the Development of Its Local Community By John L. McKnight, The Asset-Based Community Development Institute      
Synopsis:  The following document provides concrete examples and advice for various members of the school community, including principals and teachers, on their unique role they play in developing a sustainable relationship with the community. 
Where to Find this Resource: http://nationalserviceresources.org/filemanager/download/
community_development/School__Community.pdf
Cost: Free to Download

Asset Mapping Tools

Addressing Barriers to Learning: A Set of Surveys to Map What a School Has and What it Needs, A Resource Aid Packet UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools
Synopsis: Discusses comprehensive, integrated approaches for addressing barriers to learning. This is followed by a set of surveys school leaders can use to assess classroom-focused enabling; crisis assistance and prevention; support for transitions; home involvement in schooling; student and family assistance programs and services; and community outreach for involvement and support.
Where to Find this Resource:  http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/Surveys/Set1.pdf
Cost: Free to download

A Guide to Creating a Neighborhood Information Exchange: Building Communities by Connecting Local Skills and Knowledge  By John Kretzmann, John McKnight, and Deborah Puntenney
Synopsis: This book presents a simple, inexpensive method for discovering untapped local resources that can be shared among community members. It shows school leaders and other how to design and operate a capacity-listing-and-referral service utilizing volunteers, donated space, and a minimal budget.
Where to Find this Resource:  http://www.northwestern.edu/ipr/abcd/orderform.html
Cost:  U.S. Prices (including shipping and handling): $12.00 per book. Canada: add $3 per book (for shipping and handling).

Mapping community assets workbook By  Diane Dorfman, Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
Synopsis: This workbook shows school leaders how to uncover their personal assets, and those of their teachers. Then they expand to take stock of their community, listing all of its special features. Readers also learn how to design a questionnaire to uncover the hidden assets in their community.
Where to Find this Resource: http://www.nwrel.org/ruraled/publications/com_mapping.pdf
Cost: Free to Download

Mapping Individual Capacities: An Inventory (from Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets) By  J. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, The Asset-Based Community Development Institute
Synopsis:  This tool teaches school leaders and others how to focus on the capacity and assets of community members
Where to Find this Resource: http://www.northwestern.edu/ipr/abcd/abcdci.html
Cost: Free to Download

CBI Asset Mapping Templates/Workbook.  Community Building Initiative
Synopsis: This workbook has been prepared to support the planning and implementation of the community asset mapping process.  This is a good resource for designing a learning experience for current or future school leaders.
Where to Find this Resource: http://www.buloke.vic.gov.au/Buloke/extranet.nsf/0/
1F3BCA2F8EC7FA5ECA257221002FFF86/$file/
CBI%20Asset%20Mapping%20Templates%20Workbook.doc
Cost: Free to Download

Asset Mapping Websites