An Economy That Works for All Is Possible.

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“I stand for an economy that works for all of us – and I refuse to accept that “business as usual” is the best we can do. I believe my work and the way I engage in my community can be a reflection of who I am, what I love, and how I want to be in the world.”

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Localism Starts With You.

Entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and philanthropists are joining people like you to create healthy, equitable local economies.

Create an economy that works for all

ACT LOCAL with our tools and resources

Why Local Matters

75%
of $70B+ each year

Three quarters of “economic development” dollars directly subsidize large corporations, leaving local, independent businesses behind.

  • Chart
    67%
  • Chart32%

For every $100 spent at a local business approximately $67 stays in the community. When you shop at a big box store, just $32 out of $100 stays in the community.

90%
Net New Jobs

Up to 90 percent of net new jobs in the U.S. are created by locally-owned businesses.

Learn more about the Power of Local

  1. Patrick Cleary

    Executive Director, Humboldt Area Foundation

    Bayside, CA

    Humboldt Area Foundation, represented by Patrick Cleary, promotes and encourages generosity, leadership, and inclusion to strengthen their communities.

    Local Economy Foundations

    Local Economy Foundations, Summit 2016

    Humboldt Area Foundation, represented by Patrick Cleary, promotes and encourages generosity, leadership, and inclusion to strengthen their communities.

    Bayside, CA

  2. Sarah Kinser

    Chief Program Officer, Arkansas Community Foundation

    Little Rock, AR

    Arkansas Community Foundation, represented by Sarah Kinser, engages people, connects resources, and inspires solutions to build community.

    Local Economy Foundations

    Local Economy Foundations, Summit 2016

    Arkansas Community Foundation, represented by Sarah Kinser, engages people, connects resources, and inspires solutions to build community.

    Little Rock, AR

  3. Think Local First DC

    Washington, DC

    Think Local First DC envisions an interconnected community of locally-owned businesses who drive sustainable economic development in Washington DC.

    Localist Network

    Localist Network

    Think Local First DC envisions an interconnected community of locally-owned businesses who drive sustainable economic development in Washington DC.

    Washington, DC

  4. The Canadian Community Economic Development Network

    Victoriaville, QC

    Community Economic Development (CED) is action by people locally to create economic opportunities that improve social conditions, particularly for those who are most disadvantaged.

    Localist Network

    Localist Network

    Community Economic Development (CED) is action by people locally to create economic opportunities that improve social conditions, particularly for those who are most disadvantaged.

    Victoriaville, QC

  5. Chrystel Cornelius

    Executive Director, First Nations Oweesta Corporation

    Longmont, CO

    Chrystel Cornelius is empowering Native American communities by helping CDFIs to build wealth & economic independence among tribal communities across the U.S.

    BALLE Fellows

    BALLE Fellows, Summit 2016, Summit 2017

    Chrystel Cornelius is empowering Native American communities by helping CDFIs to build wealth & economic independence among tribal communities across the U.S.

    Longmont, CO

  6. Ramón León

    Founding President, CEO, Latino Economic Development Center

    Minneapolis, MN

    Ramón León catalyzes economic and community development in Minneapolis' Latino community.

    BALLE Fellows

    BALLE Fellows

    Ramón León catalyzes economic and community development in Minneapolis' Latino community.

    Minneapolis, MN

  7. Malik Yakini

    Executive Director, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network

    Detroit, MI

    Malik Yakini fosters food justice and food sovereignty in Detroit's African American Community.

    BALLE Fellows

    BALLE Fellows

    Malik Yakini fosters food justice and food sovereignty in Detroit's African American Community.

    Detroit, MI

  8. Jane Bisbee

    Executive Director, Social Enterprise Fund

    Edmonton, AB

    The Social Enterprise Fund, represented by Jane Bisbee, invests in launching and expanding social enterprises in Edmonton.

    Local Economy Foundations

    Local Economy Foundations

    The Social Enterprise Fund, represented by Jane Bisbee, invests in launching and expanding social enterprises in Edmonton.

    Edmonton, AB

  9. Barbara Bartle

    President, Lincoln Community Foundation

    Lincoln, NE

    Lincoln Community Foundation, represented by Barbara Bartle, is partnering with the city of Lincoln to create a mixed-use high-rise building in a low-income community.

    Local Economy Foundations

    Local Economy Foundations

    Lincoln Community Foundation, represented by Barbara Bartle, is partnering with the city of Lincoln to create a mixed-use high-rise building in a low-income community.

    Lincoln, NE

  10. Jessica David

    Senior Vice President of Strategy & Community Investments, Rhode Island Foundation

    Providence, RI

    Rhode Island Foundation, represented by Jessica David, is working on intentional impact investing and strategy.

    Local Economy Foundations

    Local Economy Foundations

    Rhode Island Foundation, represented by Jessica David, is working on intentional impact investing and strategy.

    Providence, RI

  11. Mary Stranahan

    Principal, Good Works Ventures

    Missoula, MT

    Mary Stranahan focuses on triple bottom line investments, leadership, rural economic development, and environmental policy issues.

    Local Economy Investors

    Local Economy Investors, Summit 2016

    Mary Stranahan focuses on triple bottom line investments, leadership, rural economic development, and environmental policy issues.

    Missoula, MT

  12. Sallie Calhoun

    President, Globetrotter Foundation

    Paicines, CA

    Sallie Calhoun uses philanthropy and investment capital to create change in agriculture and communities by empowering women.

    Local Economy Investors

    Local Economy Investors, Summit 2016, Summit 2017

    Sallie Calhoun uses philanthropy and investment capital to create change in agriculture and communities by empowering women.

    Paicines, CA

  13. Charleston Co-working Space Creates Community… and Profits

    Charleston, SC

    Charleston Co-working Space Creates Community... and Profits

    Success Stories

    Charleston Co-working Space Creates Community... and Profits

    Charleston, SC

  14. Downtown, Hometown: Relationships Revitalize Albuquerque

    Albuquerque, NM

    Downtown, Hometown: Relationships Revitalize Albuquerque

    Success Stories

    Downtown, Hometown: Relationships Revitalize Albuquerque

    Albuquerque, NM

  15. Designing Across Disciplines: Regenerative Solutions in the American Black Belt

    Stone Mountain, GA

    Designing Across Disciplines: Regenerative Solutions in the American Black Belt

    Success Stories

    Designing Across Disciplines: Regenerative Solutions in the American Black Belt

    Stone Mountain, GA

  16. Accelerating “Radical Doers” at Vancouver’s RADIUS Ventures

    Vancouver, BC

    Accelerating “Radical Doers” in Vancouver

    Success Stories

    Accelerating “Radical Doers” in Vancouver

    Vancouver, BC

Explore Our Network

Learn more about the work of Local Economy Leaders across North America

View FULL Network here See OUR NETWORK in action
Multiple points of interest local economy leader success story organization

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