A community benefits agreement is a contract between a developer and neighborhood residents and/or community stakeholders that requires the developer to provide specific amenities to the local community or neighborhood. In exchange, the community stakeholders agree to support (or at least not oppose) the project. 

Action Tank partnered with PolicyLink, artists, and other community groups to create this explainer and toolkit about CBAs. The toolkit was created with research and resources on Community Benefits Agreements provided by PolicyLink and national CBA expert attorney Julian Gross.

The toolkit includes:

•  the basics about CBAs

• step-by-step actions for residents

• examples of successful CBAs in effect

• links to further reading materials

• recommendations for community organizing and action, including work with artists

• a game board and playing cards

We created this toolkit for residents, and it's also useful for developers and decision-makers. 

Download the toolkit here.