Advocacy Toolkit
Check out our resources to help you communicate with government leaders, advance your policy goals, and expand the impact of your community development efforts.
Wayfinding Sign System Guide
This guide from Virginia Main Street explores the importance of wayfinding, the components of a custom wayfinding plan, design considerations, and implementation.
Sterling, Illinois. © Sterling Main Street
Building and Maintaining Relationships with Elected Officials
Simple advice for building and maintaining relationships with elected officials and government representatives to improve advocacy and outreach.
Crafting Your Message for an Elected Official
Simple advice for outreach and communications with elected officials and government representatives.
Planning Main Street Tours for Elected Officials
Simple advice for Main Street organizations planning visits with elected officials and government representatives.
Annual Workplan
Use this worksheet to plan each of your activities for a given year and map out the ways they relate to income, expenses, personnel, and more. Published by Indiana Main Street.
Transformation Strategy Workplan
Use this template to develop a comprehensive plan that clearly outlines goals, partners, roles, responsibilities, tasks, timelines, and budgets to align projects with transformation strategies.
Macon, Georgia. Photo by NewTown Macon.
Annual Budget
Use this template to develop an annual budget that tracks income and operating expenses for your Main Street organization.
Raton, New Mexico. Photo by Marty Mayfield.
Board Matrix
Use this composition matrix to understand the current makeup of your board of directors, identify strengths and gaps, track tenure, and align each individual's unique skills and qualities with your workplan.
Metuchen, New Jersey. Photo by Lauren Beischer.
Board of Directors Demographics Matrix
A simple tool to help you evaluate the diversity of your board of directors along age, gender, race, sexuality, income, and more. Created by Indiana Main Street.
Work Planning Template
Work planning outlines tasks income, expenses, volunteer hours, staff hours, and outcomes. This template provides a step-by-step explanation of the work planning process.
Get Hyped: Turn District Cheerleaders into Social Influencers
Watch this webinar to learn how social influencers can drive engagement and build excitement for your downtown promotions and programs.
