Why is the Fed engaged in community development?
Stable
communities
promote a more robust
economy
Through applied research, public programs, outreach and technical assistance, Federal Reserve community development teams help promote economic growth and financial stability in low- and moderate-income communities across the country.
Welcome to Fed Communities
Your gateway to insights for the community development field from the Federal Reserve.
Does your work support people, places, the policy and practice of community development, or small-business development? Fed Communities is a first stop for research, insights, data, and events for community development professionals from the United States central bank, including all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.
For those focused on economics and personal finance education in classrooms and communities, Federal Reserve Education offers free, trusted resources.
Read stories of impact
Here’s how people across the nation are working to address the economic challenges facing their local low- and moderate-income communities, with a focus on workable solutions.
Join us for an event
Tap into discussions around independent and nonpartisan research that aims to help workers, small business owners, and underserved communities across the nation
Explore the data
What will best serve the needs of employers, workers, and communities? From survey findings to dashboards, the Fed’s data can inform collaborative efforts between policymakers, employers, and educators.
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Follow Us
Find an expert
Connect with Fed community development research and outreach professionals.
Meet our leadership
Get to know the Federal Reserve leaders advising and guiding Fed Communities
Attend an event
Conveniently attend with virtual, in-person, and hybrid options.
Read the latest from our blog
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, February 2026
Community contacts report that rising costs for food, housing, and energy have strained low- and moderate-income communities and nonprofits, while rural hospitals face financial risks. Stable employment for some helped ease economic anxiety, contacts noted. But vulnerable groups and small businesses remained stressed under increasing costs, according to observations for the February 2026 Beige Book.
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Key insights from the 2025 Small Business Credit Survey
The 2025 Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) shares insights from more than 6,500 small employer firms across the US about their business performance, challenges, and credit experiences.
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Byways tourism builds on the unique appeal of small towns
Route-based tourism transforms often-overlooked small towns into vacation destinations. Residents rediscover their community’s unique appeal and visitors bring economic opportunity along America’s byways.
Thank you to our contributors
We thank the 12 Federal Reserve Banks and Federal Reserve Board of Governors for their contributions to Fed Communities.
