Community Development Advocacy Program
NAR’s Community Development Advocacy Program helps state and local REALTOR® associations lead on the issues that shape strong, vibrant, and livable communities. Through grants, expert guidance, research, and practical resources, the program supports association-led efforts to expand housing opportunities, advance fair housing, strengthen rural communities, create welcoming public spaces, and promote smart growth.
In 2026, the program celebrated 25 years of helping REALTORS® build better communities. Since 2001, NAR has invested more than $35 million in grants and resources that have empowered associations to address local challenges, strengthen partnerships, expand housing opportunities, and create lasting community impact. Learn More About the Building Better Communities Campaign!
Take Action with a Community Development Advocacy Grant
State and local REALTOR® associations may apply for grants to support advocacy, education, outreach, and engagement efforts in five focus areas:
🏠 Housing Opportunity
Expand access to housing and homeownership.
Supports initiatives that address housing supply, affordability, homeownership education, zoning reform, missing middle housing, and other efforts that increase housing opportunities in communities.
🌳 Smart Growth
Promote stronger growth and community planning.
Advances initiatives that encourage walkability, transportation choice, mixed-use development, efficient land use, and policies aligned with two or more of the Smart Growth principles.
📍 Placemaking
Create vibrant public gathering spaces.
Transforms underused public spaces into welcoming places that bring people together through amenities such as gatherings spots, alley activations, parklets, dog parks, and trails.
⚖️ Fair Housing
Promote equal housing opportunities for all.
Supports education, outreach, and initiatives that increase awareness of fair housing laws, reduce barriers to housing, and foster inclusive communities.
🌾 Rural Outreach
Strengthen rural communities and economic development.
Helps address the unique challenges facing rural areas through education, partnerships, economic development initiatives, and community engagement efforts.
Grant Levels: The Progression
Level 1: Learn and Convene – Up to $3,000
Build awareness and start the conversation.
Supports educational activities that inform members, bring stakeholders together, introduce new ideas, and foster dialogue. Examples include trainings, workshops, guest speakers, stakeholder meetings and temporary placemaking projects.
Level 2: Engage and Collaborate – Up to $7,500
Expand participation and develop solutions.
Supports broader engagement efforts that inform, gather input, build partnerships, and advance problem-solving. Examples include housing summits, studies, marketing and outreach campaigns, and permanent placemaking projects.
Level 3: Lead and Implement – Up to $15,000
Drive meaningful community change.
Supports comprehensive Housing Opportunity and Smart Growth initiatives that involve multiple partners, technical expertise, and significant public engagement. Examples include community visioning sessions and charettes, multiple educational sessions, expanded state and local growth polling projects, studies requiring multiple outreach sessions and community-wide outreach campaigns.
Each association may receive one grant per level per year.
📄 ACCESS THE APPLICATION PORTAL
Application Timeline
Applications are open January 5 – October 15, 2026, or until funds are fully committed.
Current Status: Community Development Advocacy Grant Applications reopened on Thursday, June 4th.
- A limited funding opportunity is available for state and local REALTOR® associations. Applications will be accepted through October 15, 2026, or until all remaining funds have been committed, whichever occurs first.
- Please note that all grant-funded activities must be completed in 2026, and reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than Friday, December 18, 2026.
Explore Ideas, Toolkits, and Success Stories
Associations can find inspiration and practical guidance through Community Development Advocacy Grant Toolkits, Success Stories, and webinars highlighting how REALTOR® associations across the country are advancing meaningful local impact.
These resources can help associations identify eligible initiatives, build partnerships, strengthen applications, and demonstrate REALTOR® leadership in their communities.
Associations are also invited to schedule a Virtual Community Development Advocacy Planning Session to brainstorm initiative ideas, understand available grants, and learn how to create compelling applications that tackle community development challenges.
Research, Insights & Resources to Strengthen Your Advocacy
🏛️ Land Use Initiative
Navigate Local Land Use Issues with Confidence
Receive expert legislative analysis of proposed zoning changes, comprehensive plans, ordinances, and other land-use policies affecting real estate and property rights.
📘 Growth Management Fact Book
Your Guide to Modern Growth Strategies
Explore planning and development tools including missing middle housing, parking reform, urban growth boundaries, cluster zoning, and more.
🔄 Transforming Neighborhoods
Turn Community Challenges into Opportunities
Partner with the Counselors of Real Estate® Consulting Corps to address housing gaps, downtown revitalization, brownfield redevelopment, commercial disinvestment, and other local challenges.
📊 State & Local Growth Polling
Understand What Your Community Thinks
Conduct professional public opinion research to gauge voter attitudes on growth, housing, transportation, and development issues.
📰 On Common Ground
Share Ideas That Build Better Communities
Access articles and resources that foster productive conversations among REALTORS®, elected officials, planners, and community stakeholders.
Plan Your Next Steps
Not sure where to start? Schedule a Virtual Community Development Advocacy Planning Session with NAR staff. During the session, associations can brainstorm initiative ideas, explore available grants and resources, and identify strategies to address local housing, planning, fair housing, and community development challenges.
Connect with the Community Development Advocacy
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Christine Windle – Director, Community Development Advocacy
📞 202-383-1135 | ✉️ cwindle@nar.realtor - Laurie Benner – Manager, Housing and Community Development
📞 202-383-1132 | ✉️ lbenner@nar.realtor - Alex Haddad – Manager, Community Development
📞 202-383-1129 | ✉️ cwindle@nar.realtor
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25 Years: Building Better Communities Video
Tools & Resources
Community & Transportation Preference Survey
Community Development Advocacy Toolkits