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Every day, Main Street programs across the country reach out to government leaders to share success stories and call for the policies, programs and resources that create positive impact in communities. Speaking up for Main Street involves resources from across the Four Points and strong leadership abilities.
Use this Advocacy Toolkit to enhance your efforts to communicate the power of the Main Street movement with decision-makers, from elected officials to local partners and individual supporters. Explore below, and if you have suggestions for resources to add, let us know.
Make the case for your Main Street.
Educate decision-makers on the impact of your organization.
Use these tips to build support for the Main Street Movement.
Educating lawmakers is talking about topics that will resonate with anyone in our country. If you’re hesitant to get involved in advocacy for Main Streets, approach it from the heart.
This resource from Main Street America offers a list of over 25 grant programs that can be used on Main Streets, with key information like eligible entities and matching requirements.
Danville, Virginia © River District Association
Learn about the many ways in which CDBG dollars are used throughout Main Street communities, from building façade improvements, to green infrastructure, to public facility improvements, and much more.
Learn how land use, finance, and governance structures influence the ways in which Main Street programs operate
This guide from the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides an overview of the laws you need to understand to support the historic buildings in your downtown district.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
Whether making a specific policy ask or maintaining sustained support, community revitalization professionals and historic preservationists need to develop and hone advocacy skills. Join this course through the Main Street America Institute and presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for an in-depth overview of five key advocacy areas, featuring expert speakers and practitioners from across the community revitalization and preservation fields.
Washington, D.C. © Main Street America
This brief provides insight into where to look for state capital funding, who to connect with, and ideas to make your projects more competitive, given the numerous infrastructure needs across the country.
Our new Policy Agenda outlining policy issues and recommendations at the local, state, and federal levels that impact Main Street communities.
Learn how land use, finance, and governance structures influence the ways in which Main Street programs operate
This webinar shared tips and tools for positioning your program during election season to manage relationships and navigate change.
Utilize this one-page resource with case studies from the Percent for Place coalition to plan your approach to advocating for these federal funds.
Washington, D.C. © Samuel Girven
Learn about the many ways in which CDBG dollars are used throughout Main Street communities, from building façade improvements, to green infrastructure, to public facility improvements, and much more.
This resource from Main Street America offers a list of over 25 grant programs that can be used on Main Streets, with key information like eligible entities and matching requirements.
Danville, Virginia © River District Association
With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the future of retail to Main Street advocacy, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
This guide from the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides an overview of the laws you need to understand to support the historic buildings in your downtown district.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
Simple advice for building and maintaining relationships with elected officials and government representatives to improve advocacy and outreach.
Simple advice for outreach and communications with elected officials and government representatives.
Simple advice for Main Street organizations planning visits with elected officials and government representatives.
Learn how to engage community members and local leaders to build a grassroots movement that advances local change.
How non-profits can use media, public relations, and communications outreach to achieve policy goals.
Watch this webinar to learn how non-profits can reach out to elected officials and government officials to achieve advocacy goals.
Watch this webinar to learn how non-profits can use government lobbying and political action to achieve advocacy goals.
Watch this webinar to learn how non-profits can work with other organizations, activists, and research groups to achieve advocacy goals.
Director of Policy Outreach, Government Relations and Policy, at the National Trust for Historic Preservation explains how Main Street advocacy has made a difference and how to get involved.
Watch this webinar to learn tips and best practices for applying for federal funding to support historic preservation and downtown revitalization.
Building a true partnership with local government is the key to winning its financial support for Main Street revitalization.
When state funding for the Washington State Main Street Program was cut in December of 2009, local programs across the state took on the job of getting the funds restored. Find out how social media helped ramp up the local programs’ advocacy efforts and contributed to a winning strategy.
Bainbridge, WA
Downtown Florence, South Carolina © True Light Photography
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