Blueprint Communities®
Since 2005, this unique program has created momentum for revitalizing older communities and neighborhoods.
What is Blueprint Communities?
The Blueprint Communities® initiative, created by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank), has served as a roadmap for hope and progress in communities across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. It focuses on building strong local leadership, enhancing collaboration, and boosting development capacity to breathe new life into participating communities.
Through Blueprint Communities, local leaders gain the skills and resources needed to create and implement comprehensive revitalization plans. Participating teams also benefit from access to a variety of funding opportunities, ensuring their work is well-supported and sustainable. The initiative promotes coordinated investments from both public and private sectors, fostering an environment where designated communities can thrive and flourish.
Blueprint Communities teams, which contain a diverse mix of local leaders, receive:
- Leadership training
- Help in using their skills to create and implement revitalization plans for their communities
- Access to a variety of funding opportunities, including FHLBank Pittsburgh community products
Among other attributes, this initiative prepares and supports Blueprint Communities teams to develop a locally-driven revitalization plan, connect to expertise, grow leadership skillsets, and access resources to implement local initiatives.
Learn more about impacts and eligibility by viewing our Blueprint Communities Product Profile
What You'll Gain
How Does Blueprint Communities Benefit Members?
FHLBank members benefit from the Blueprint Communities initiative in a variety of ways.
Provides opportunities to support local community planning and strategy implementation
Creates opportunities for Community Reinvestment Act credit and community investment
Facilities partnerships with local and state leaders
Overview
Still Have Questions?How Does My Neighborhood Become a Blueprint Community?
FHLBank Pittsburgh and its local partners periodically induct a new geographic group of communities into the Blueprint Communities program. Our members and local leaders can nominate their communities for consideration during these times. Upon review, a new group of communities is selected and the local Blueprint Communities teams begin training.
To promote a team approach to community revitalization, and to ensure a good cross-section of community involvement, one of the Blueprint Community team members must be an employee of an FHLBank Pittsburgh member whose service area includes the Blueprint Community.
Once selected, communities wishing to remain affiliated with Blueprint Communities are eligible to be recertified, indicating that:
- The Blueprint Communities plan is developed and approved
- The community is implementing the plan and indicates they will continue to do so
- Stakeholders are convening on a regular basis to work on plan implementation
- At least one FHLBank Pittsburgh member is an active member of the team
- Team members are willing to commit to participating in future evaluation and measuring progress
Program Information
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Blueprint Communities Alumni
A list of former Blueprint Communities, which receive priority access to some FHLBank Pittsburgh community products.
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Current and Re-certified Blueprint Communities
A list of active Blueprint Communities, which receive priority access to some FHLBank Pittsburgh community products.
Blueprint Communities Partners
University of Delaware Center for Community Research and Service - Partner that provides resources, guidance and expertise to Blueprint teams in Delaware
Pennsylvania Downtown Center - Partner that provides resources, guidance and expertise to Blueprint teams in Pennsylvania
West Virginia Community Development Hub - Partner that provides resources, guidance and expertise to Blueprint teams in West Virginia
Blueprint Communities was developed in response to our members’ concerns for under-invested communities in the areas they serve. Our members are looking for ways to help their communities find opportunities for growth.”
John Bendel
Senior Director of Community Investment, FHLBank Pittsburgh
