SMIFoundation

Asset-based approach: Rather than focusing on needs and deficiencies, the asset-based approach begins with the mapping of capacities and assets. A community's assets include:

• Human Assets - the individual skills and knowledge of all members of the community
• Social Assets - things such as mutual trust, collective identity and a sense of a shared future
• Associations - non-elected, non-paid groups that come together for a common purpose such as service clubs, congregations, cultural groups
• Institutions (public and private) - schools, local government, businesses, nonprofit agencies, hospitals
• Built Assets - housing, infrastructure, public spaces
• Financial Assets - savings, consumer spending, grants, investment capital, tax revenue

Collaboration: Distinguished from mere cooperation or coordination by clearly articulated common mission and goals as well as by pooled resources, shared risk and a commitment by all organizations to undertake projects for long-term results.

Measurable results: Programs/projects that demonstrate measurable and clear outcomes and include an established evaluation process for determining impact.

Replication: The program’s/project’s ability to be reproduced.

Sustainable local or other funding streams: Funding that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely.

Leveraged funding: Includes all funds that the applicant can secure on behalf of the proposed program/project.

In-kind Contribution: A non-cash input which can be given a cash value. Here are some examples of in-kind contributions:

• A local community "loans" a school or a church to a literacy program for classroom space.
• A government agency donates some paper to print books.
• A consultant donates his time to your program.
• A bus company donates the use of its busses at no cost or at a cost below market.