Asset-Based Community Development: Championing the Power of Community

The power of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) is its focus on uplifting and combining the strengths of individuals and the community to create broader changes for the common good. In 2016, Tamarack was chosen by the late community-builder and ABCD founder John McKnight to serve as the hub for ABCD in Canada. Since then, we have continued to support the advancement of ABCD in communities across the country.

Read on for tools, resources, and a workshop to help you champion the power of ABCD in your own community.

Learn more about ABCD

Building Community Connectors from the Ground Up

Community connectors are vital to ABCD: they find individuals with unique skills and support them to collaborate on positive change efforts in their neighbourhoods.

This tool helps members of community organizations and local government build community connectors without creating specific programs.

View the tool

The Collaboration Imperative: How Boards and Leaders Drive Impact

Nonprofits today are struggling with fewer resources and increased demand. This article from the Collaborative Organization makes the case for why nonprofit boards and leaders need to consider collaboration as the answer. Read the article and sign up for a free webinar on the Collaborative Organization led by Maytree.

Read the article

Register for the webinar

A Guide for Deepening Community with ABCD

Communities across Canada are experiencing increasing levels of social isolation, resulting in poorer outcomes across the board. This guide has been developed to support community champions, concerned citizens, and municipal decision-makers to build belonging and harness the power of community for social change.

Read the guide

Tamarack Workshop: Fundamentals of ABCD

This workshop provides an introduction to ABCD as a people-centred approach to community development.

Join Heather Keam as we work through the foundations and principles of ABCD, including new and improved processes for centring community in your programs and activities.

May 28 | 1:00–4:30pm ET

Learn more and register

Application Extended: 2026 Changemaker Experience

The application for the 2026 Changemaker Experience has been extended until tomorrow: April 3!

Don’t miss your chance to join an immersive cohort of virtual sessions, coaching, and peer learning designed to strengthen your skills, tools, and networks for transformative community and systems change. Join committed changemakers from around the world to elevate your impact and drive meaningful change.

Learn more and apply

In-Person Community Change Summit: The Next Horizon

After three years apart, we’re coming back together - in person, in purpose, and in possibility.

From October 21-23 in Toronto, join a movement of changemakers from across Canada and beyond for a summit that celebrates the courage of community, the power of place, and the promise of what’s next.

Early bird tickets are available from now until April 30th, register early to save!

Learn more and register

What We're Up To

Sonja is collaborating with Community Foundations of South Eastern Alberta on a 3-part workshop series increasing non-profit capacity for leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

Sylvia is wrapping up an intersectoral action capacity building project with the Public Health Agency of Canada for health workers interested in collaborating across sectors to enhance wellbeing.

Heather is working with the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group on a project exploring how community-based supports can strengthen newcomer inclusion and belonging in Peel.

Consulting and coaching

Support the Work That Matters

Help us grow the Seeds of Transformation. Your contribution fuels equity, reconciliation, and belonging.

Donate now

Land Acknowledgement

We at the Tamarack Institute recognize that the majority of our work occurs on the ancestral homelands of Indigenous Peoples including the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. We recognize the contributions of Indigenous people and support their ongoing struggle for self-determination and sovereignty. We work to understand the history of the lands upon which we are guests and to contribute to justice for all Indigenous Peoples.

Stay in touch with us